MENA Fintech Association Unveils MFTA Awards 2024 Winners

The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA), a prominent not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within the fintech sector across the Middle East and North Africa, recently celebrated the winners of the prestigious MFTA Awards 2024. This momentous event took place during Fintech Day, a significant highlight of Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The awards aimed to recognize and honor outstanding contributions, transformative innovations, and excellence within the MENA region’s fintech ecosystem.

Chairman of the MENA Fintech Association, Nameer Khan, emphasized the importance of celebrating such achievements. He highlighted how these innovators are revolutionizing the financial technology space, reshaping how financial services are delivered and experienced. Khan acknowledged the resilience, creativity, and collaboration that define the fintech industry, particularly in the MENA region, and noted that the achievements of the winners reflect the true essence of this vibrant ecosystem. He underscored the association’s commitment to fostering an environment that thrives on excellence, innovation, and inclusivity, ultimately driving forward a more efficient and tech-enabled financial world. The winners, Khan remarked, exemplify the power of vision, execution, and the potential to inspire meaningful change within the industry.

The MFTA Awards 2024 were adjudicated by a distinguished panel of industry experts, bringing together some of the most prominent names in fintech, regulatory practices, and financial innovation. This esteemed jury played a pivotal role in the evaluation process, leveraging their extensive knowledge and experience to assess nominees across diverse categories. Their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of excellence was evident as they meticulously evaluated each submission to ensure that the most deserving candidates were recognized. Among the notable jury members were Henri Arslanian, Co-Founder of Nine Blocks Capital Management; Bouchra Darwazah, Managing Director at Galaxy; Suvo Sarkar, Founder and CEO of 3D Advisory; Bryan Stirewalt, MENA Financial Services Regulatory Leader at EY; Clyde Rosanowski, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Solutions EEMEA at Mastercard; Charles Lobo, Senior Vice President and Regional Risk Officer CEMEA at Visa; Renier Lemmens, Chairman of the Board at TransferGo; and Mohammed Ismaeel Hameedaldin, Partner at TOUGHLOVE Advisors and Chairman of The Marketing Society.

The winners represented a diverse range of innovations and solutions that have significantly impacted the fintech landscape in the MENA region. Categories ranged from digital lending and payments to blockchain-based solutions and financial education. These awards underscored the remarkable strides being made in financial technology, as organizations demonstrated leadership in innovation, customer-centric approaches, and operational excellence. Winners such as Magnati, Checkout.com, Yalla Super App, and Norbloc exemplified cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions that are setting new benchmarks in their respective domains. Other notable winners included Telr for merchant solutions, Idenfo for regulatory technology, and Paysky, which was named Fintech of the Year for its exceptional contributions to advancing financial services.

Each winner showcased a unique approach to addressing pressing challenges within the industry, from enhancing regulatory compliance to streamlining customer onboarding, advancing blockchain applications, and improving financial literacy. The diversity of these solutions highlights the breadth and depth of innovation within the MENA fintech ecosystem. These accomplishments not only reflect the growing maturity of the region’s fintech sector but also its potential to serve as a global hub for financial technology advancements.

The MFTA Awards serve as a testament to the spirit of collaboration and innovation driving the fintech industry forward in the Middle East and North Africa. By recognizing and celebrating excellence, the awards aim to inspire future advancements and foster an ecosystem that continues to push boundaries. As the winners pave the way for the next generation of fintech innovation, their achievements reaffirm the transformative potential of financial technology in shaping a more inclusive, efficient, and technologically advanced financial landscape across the region and beyond.