Hosam Arab and Tabby: Redefining Finance Across MENA

In a region rapidly digitizing its economy, Tabby has emerged as a defining fintech success story. Led by CEO Hosam Arab, the company has grown into MENA’s leading Buy Now, Pay Later platform, reaching a $3.3 billion valuation following a $160 million Series E round.

But Tabby’s rise is about more than valuation. It is about reshaping how millions of consumers experience money.

From BNPL to Financial Ecosystem

Founded to address limited credit access and high reliance on cash, Tabby introduced flexible installment payments tailored to regional consumer behavior. The model resonated immediately.

Today, Tabby processes $10 billion in annualized transactions and serves over 15 million users across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. With 40,000 brand partnerships, it has become embedded in everyday commerce from fashion and electronics to travel and essential services.

Yet Arab’s ambition extends beyond BNPL.

Recent product expansions include Tabby Cards, subscription models, and buyer protection features, effectively positioning Tabby as a full-spectrum digital financial services platform.

Strategic Backing, Strategic Vision

Backed by global and regional heavyweights including Wellington Management, STV, and Mubadala, Tabby has scaled with discipline. Its acquisition of Tweeq strengthens its infrastructure and accelerates ecosystem integration.

Importantly, Tabby’s trajectory aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 push toward a cashless economy. As governments across the Gulf invest in digital transformation, Tabby sits at the intersection of policy ambition and consumer demand.

Leadership in a Volatile Economy

In an inflationary global environment, flexible payments have become both a convenience and a necessity. Arab emphasizes responsible growth, balancing accessibility with risk management.

His leadership reflects a broader fintech shift: growth at any cost is out; sustainable scaling is in.

The Bigger Picture

As a unicorn eyeing a potential IPO, Tabby is not merely riding MENA’s digital finance wave. It is defining it.

For CEOs across emerging markets, the takeaway is powerful: when innovation aligns with demographic momentum and national vision, scale follows.