The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) announced last week that Halalah has successfully attained the full e-money institution license (EMI) in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-based fintech company has been operating in the local market previously under a sandbox trial period license. Halalah managed to “graduate” from the trial period ahead of schedule after complying with all regulatory requirements that focused on the maturity of product, the structure of the company, the agility of its processes and the security of its infrastructure.
“Halalah is not your typical startup, as it has gone through a long journey in a short period of time to reach where it is today,” said Founder and CEO Esam Al-Nahdi. Starting in Saudi Arabia with clear ambitions for the regional fintech market, the company got licensed in UAE in 2017 by the FSRA’s Fintech RegLab in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), before coming back to Saudi Arabia to get SAMA’s sandbox approval in the first quarter of 2018, to kick-start its operations in November 2018.
“Throughout 2019, Halalah managed to institutionalize its operating model, and build a robust infrastructure and product engine, as well as striking a few strategic partnerships that will cater to the needs of the new generation of customers and putting the company in the right position to achieve its local, regional and global plans,” added Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Maher Loubieh.
With the full license now obtained, “the next milestone in Saudi Arabia is to relaunch Halalah KSA with a new set of financial services and products that will enable customers to manage their finances and do transactions through Halalah,” said Al-Nahdi.
Halalah secures SAMA’s fintech license
https://arab.news/g4krc
Halalah secures SAMA’s fintech license
Arab Investment launches new corporate identity
The Arab Investment Company has launched its new corporate identity, “Arab Invest,” in a strategic move that reflects its future direction and marks the start of a new chapter in its journey, which began in 1974, as one of the Arab sovereign wealth funds concerned with developing resources and enhancing economic integration among its 16 Arab member states.
The new corporate identity reflects the company’s value system underpinning its investment approach, based on robust governance, sustainability, effective partnerships, and adherence to the highest professional and economic standards, embodying its vision of building high-quality investments aligned with the priorities of the shareholder states.
Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb, chairman of the board of directors, said: “The launch of the company’s new identity comes within the context of a strategic phase aimed at enhancing clarity of institutional vision and consolidating the company’s position over the long term, in line with shareholders’ aspirations and reflective of the requirements of the coming period.”
He added that the new identity is viewed as a clear translation of a well-considered investment trajectory that reflects depth of experience, strengthens stakeholders’ confidence, and supports the company’s ability to continue serving the interests of the Arab member states.
CEO of Arab Invest Abdullah bin Saleh Bakhraibah said the launch of the new corporate identity represents, in essence, a new chapter in the company’s journey spanning more than 50 years. He noted the particular importance of this step at both the strategic and operational levels, as the new identity reflects a series of institutional transformations the company has undergone in recent years, including achieving the highest financial revenues in its history during 2025.
Bakhraibah added: “The new identity is not merely a visual update for the company; rather, it is a strategic message that expresses an advanced stage of institutional maturity, while simultaneously underscoring the deep historical roots of one of the region’s most established Arab sovereign wealth funds, consolidating its distinguished position and the credibility it enjoys in the Arab investment landscape, enabling it to keep pace with major economic developments and enhancing the company’s readiness to continue growth and expansion in accordance with best-in-class investment practices.”
He also highlighted the company’s distinguished investment efforts since the launch of its new strategy, saying that Arab Invest has recently witnessed notable development in local and global strategic partnerships, to achieve the highest performance standards and institutional operating mechanisms. Bakhraibah emphasized the company’s continued commitment to delivering sustainable investment impact in line with the aspirations of the coming period.
