By Oluwasegun Olukotun
UAE-based open finance platform Fintech Galaxy has completed the acquisition of Underlie, an Egypt-based open banking platform offering application programming interface (APIs) to banks and businesses. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
The deal will help to set FTG’s Open Finance and Open Banking wheels in full motion across the region, develop and launch new digital solutions and push financial inclusion forward.
Founded in 2018 by Mirna Sleiman, Fintech Galaxy is an open finance platform that facilitates fintech startups with financial institutions. The platform provides access to customer data from partner banks through its open banking (APIs), while allowing developers to build new apps and services.
In Egypt, Open Banking and Open Finance are the key engines behind the country’s digital transformation. The country is quickly becoming a flourishing FinTech hub bolstered by 230 per cent growth in cashless payments and the local Open Finance market that is expected to grow by 25 per cent annually during the next 5 years. Egypt has almost 39 banks nationwide, and it presents an opportunity for fast-tracking the implementation of the Open API standard, positioning the country as an important landmark in Fintech Galaxy’s strategic Open Banking/Open Finance roadmap.
Underlie’s Open Banking platform and expertise, including strong API connectivity and payment capabilities, has shown significant growth in the Egyptian market, offering custom-fitted products to consumers. Underlie’s customer-centric approach and ambition to understand the FIs’ needs and pain points to provide them with new proposed revenue streams and tailored products and services, complements Fintech Galaxy’s vision, existing distribution channels, technology, data practices, and relentless focus on quality.
“Underlie’s expertise in building Open Banking APIs and knowledge of the local market will help us speed up our Egypt market penetration, boost the expansion in the region and release countless opportunities to create new Open Banking/Open Finance-enabled use cases,” said Chairman of Fintech Galaxy’s Board of Directors and Investors, Riyadh Al Zamil. Al Zamil added that all Underlie’s current employees have been retained and warmly welcomed to the Fintech Galaxy Egypt operations.
According to CEO, and Founder of Fintech Galaxy, Mirna Sleiman “The acquisition of Underlie anchors our Open Banking/Open Finance efforts and enables us to succeed in providing enhanced, seamless, and enjoyable financial experiences, expanding, and consolidating our position across the MENA markets. Cross-border collaboration is key to moving the needle on financial inclusion in Egypt and beyond.”
Founder of Underlie Akram Abdou said, “This acquisition is a testament to the positive impact Underlie has achieved so far”, said. “We are delighted to join forces with FTG and succeed on the broader regional Open Finance mission.”
Present in the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Moldova, Fintech Galaxy continues to broaden its offering for banks, financial institutions, merchants, and FinTechs as it pursues its ambition to build the most secure, reliable, and developer-friendly Open Finance platform across the MENA region and beyond.
