After several years of building regulatory frameworks, MENA fintech is now shifting into execution. Real-time rails are live, open banking is expanding toward open finance, and digital-asset regimes are clarifying. Funding is more selective but focused on B2B payments, RegTech, and infrastructure — a perfect landscape for digital-first players such as Shokran, which combine banking functionality with ethical, Shariah-compliant models for SMEs.

Real-Time Payments at Scale

From the UAE’s Aani system to Egypt’s InstaPay and Jordan’s CliQ, account-to-account payments are becoming the new normal. This is critical for SMEs and marketplace sellers, who need faster settlement cycles.

Where Shokran fits: Shokran builds on this infrastructure by enabling SMEs — including marketplace sellers on Noon and Amazon — to connect global and local flows. By combining instant local settlement with multi-currency accounts (USD, EUR, AED), Shokran helps bridge gaps between real-time rails and cross-border trade.

Open Banking → Open Finance

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the shift toward open finance, giving SMEs and fintechs secure access to financial data. Oman is following with a regulatory framework for open banking.

Where Shokran fits: As a digital-first neobank, Shokran leverages these reforms by offering fast account opening (from 30 minutes) without traditional paperwork hurdles. This aligns with open finance principles: transparent data-sharing, faster onboarding, and integrated services.

Digital Asset Regulation

Dubai’s VARA, Abu Dhabi’s ADGM FSRA, and Bahrain’s CBB have established frameworks for digital assets and fiat-referenced tokens. These regimes matter because many SMEs and global traders rely on digital assets for liquidity and payments.

Where Shokran fits: Shokran supports digital asset–related income, allowing businesses to convert stablecoins into fiat currencies under a licensed and compliant framework. This bridges the gap between regulated crypto regimes and everyday business banking.

National Infrastructure Programs

The UAE’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme includes Aani (instant payments), Jaywan (domestic card scheme), Nebras (open finance), and a CBDC pilot. Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Strategy 2030 emphasizes innovation sandboxes and financial inclusion.

Where Shokran fits: Shokran complements these national programs by offering Shariah-compliant digital banking with services such as:

Quick SME onboarding.
Cross-border payments through SWIFT/SEPA.
Ethical banking aligned with GCC principles.
By doing so, Shokran extends national reforms into practical, ready-to-use products for businesses.

Financial Inclusion and SME Growth

SAMA’s rule change allowing visitor-ID-based accounts and UAE free zones’ business-friendly policies are opening doors for foreign entrepreneurs.

Where Shokran fits: Shokran specifically targets SMEs, foreign founders, and marketplace sellers who are underserved by traditional banks. By removing barriers like Emirates ID requirements, Shokran provides financial inclusion in practice — especially for non-residents and digital-first entrepreneurs.

Ecosystem and Partnerships

Regional hubs such as DIFC FinTech Hive, Hub71, and Qatar FinTech Hub continue to foster startups. Partnerships between fintechs and service providers are critical to offering end-to-end solutions.

Where Shokran fits: The strategic partnership with Sarie shows how neobanks can integrate with company formation and visa services, offering businesses a one-stop solution: register your company, process immigration, and open your Shokran account in days, not months.

Conclusion: MENA Fintech in 2025 and the Shokran Advantage

The MENA fintech market in 2025 is defined by speed, compliance, and ecosystem integration. National programs provide the rails, regulators offer clarity, and fintechs like Shokran bring these tools to SMEs in a way that is fast, ethical, and global-ready.

For entrepreneurs and SMEs, this means that business banking no longer has to take months. With instant account opening, multi-currency capabilities, and support for digital assets, Shokran represents the next generation of fintech built for the region’s ambitions.

Learn more about Shokran and how we help SMEs grow in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.