Redefining financial access for millions — one mobile app at a time
In a country where over half the population remains underbanked, one Egyptian startup is quietly reshaping how millions access, manage, and move their money. Khazna, a Cairo-based digital finance company, has become the face of Egypt’s fintech revolution — blending technology, empathy, and inclusion to give financial power back to those who need it most.
A Mission Born from Everyday Challenges
Founded in 2020 by a team of Egyptian entrepreneurs — Omar Saleh, Ahmed Wagueeh, and Fatimah El Shenawy — Khazna was born out of a simple observation: while smartphones are everywhere, access to formal financial services is not. Millions of working-class Egyptians still rely on cash-based systems, making it difficult to save securely, borrow affordably, or plan confidently.
Khazna’s founders saw an opportunity to bridge this gap — not through traditional banking, but through a mobile-first financial ecosystem designed specifically for the needs of everyday Egyptians. What started as a simple “earned wage access” app, allowing employees to access part of their salaries before payday, has evolved into a full-fledged digital banking platform — one that blends credit, payments, insurance, and savings all in a single, user-friendly app.
Their mission is as bold as it is human: to bring modern financial access to every worker, household, and business in Egypt.
What Khazna Offers: The Financial Super App
Khazna’s platform now serves as an all-in-one financial companion for its users. Its key offerings include:
- Earned Wage Access (EWA): Employees can withdraw a portion of their earned salaries before payday — reducing reliance on informal lending or high-interest loans.
- Digital Credit & Microloans: Users can apply for small, flexible credit lines directly within the app, approved instantly based on real employment and spending data.
- Bill Payments & Top-ups: The app enables seamless payment of utilities, phone recharges, and subscriptions — no long queues or paperwork.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Khazna partners with retailers to offer affordable installment plans, helping users spread payments responsibly.
- Prepaid Cards & Wallets: Linked to Mastercard and local payment systems, Khazna’s prepaid cards allow users to transact both online and in-store safely.
- Microinsurance & Emergency Tools: New features include small insurance options and tools for medical or life emergencies — extending protection to users previously excluded from such products.
What sets Khazna apart is its simplicity. The app’s interface is clean, bilingual, and designed for users new to digital finance. It combines smart data analytics with a strong ethical stance: transparency in fees, clear repayment terms, and real customer support in Arabic.
From Start-up to Superpower: A Rapid Rise
In just five years, Khazna has grown from a startup to one of Egypt’s leading fintech innovators. It has served millions of users, built partnerships with hundreds of employers, and established itself as a trusted brand among Egypt’s working class and young professionals alike.
The company’s growth has been fueled by a wave of investor confidence. By 2025, Khazna had raised more than $60 million across multiple funding rounds from a mix of local and global investors — a strong signal of belief in both its mission and business model.
This financial backing supports Khazna’s most ambitious goal yet: obtaining a digital banking license from Egypt’s Central Bank. This would allow it to officially hold deposits, offer savings accounts, and operate as a regulated bank — entirely online. The move would make Khazna one of the first fully digital banks in North Africa.
A Catalyst for Financial Inclusion
Khazna’s story is about more than innovation — it’s about impact.
Egypt has long faced a dual challenge: a large cash economy and limited trust in traditional banks. For many workers, especially those in lower-income brackets or informal sectors, banking has been seen as distant, intimidating, or unnecessary.
Khazna flips that narrative. By offering small, practical, and immediate tools — like accessing wages early or paying bills digitally — it introduces users to the power of formal finance in a way that feels natural, not forced.
This approach builds long-term financial confidence. Users begin with small transactions, then gradually adopt credit, savings, and insurance tools — transforming their relationship with money step by step.
For women, in particular, this digital accessibility has been empowering. Many Egyptian women who previously relied on cash or family intermediaries now have independent financial control through Khazna.
Innovation Rooted in Local Understanding
What makes Khazna’s success sustainable is its deep understanding of Egypt’s socio-economic fabric.
Rather than importing Western fintech models, Khazna built its system around local realities — fluctuating incomes, cash dependency, and limited credit histories. Its risk models consider employment stability, mobile usage, and spending behavior instead of just traditional bank scores.
This localized innovation gives Khazna a competitive edge. It’s not just offering digital tools; it’s designing financial experiences that fit Egyptian life.
The company’s partnerships with employers, telecom providers, and merchants further embed it into the country’s economic ecosystem. Whether it’s a factory worker requesting an advance or a small entrepreneur buying supplies, Khazna’s platform connects them through one trusted channel.
Expanding Beyond Borders
With its foundation solid at home, Khazna is now setting its sights abroad — starting with Saudi Arabia. The move is both strategic and symbolic. Millions of Egyptians live and work in Saudi Arabia, sending billions of dollars in remittances back home each year.
By expanding into the Kingdom, Khazna aims to simplify cross-border financial flows, enabling users to manage income, transfers, and payments across both countries through one app. It’s a step toward a pan-Arab digital finance network — and a sign that Egypt’s fintech scene is ready to compete regionally.
Challenges Ahead
Khazna’s journey, while impressive, isn’t without hurdles.
Securing a banking license will require navigating strict regulations and demonstrating strong risk management. The company also faces competition from regional neobanks and mobile wallet providers. Economic volatility — including inflation and currency fluctuations — adds further complexity to operating in Egypt’s financial landscape.
Yet, Khazna’s measured approach and strong backing suggest resilience. Its blend of technology, compliance, and customer trust positions it well to handle these challenges as it matures.
Redefining Banking — One User at a Time
Khazna’s rise reflects a broader shift across the Arab world — a move from traditional, institution-led banking to human-centered digital finance.
By meeting people where they are — on their phones, in their workplaces, and in their communities — Khazna isn’t just offering convenience. It’s offering dignity.
For millions of Egyptians who’ve long been excluded from the financial system, Khazna represents something bigger than an app: it’s a doorway to opportunity, security, and control.
And in that sense, Khazna isn’t just building a business — it’s building the future of money in the Middle East.
