Keenu, a prominent figure in digital payment services and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), has embarked on an exciting new journey following a transformative management buyout, with Saad Niazi taking the reins as acting CEO.
This strategic transition signals a fresh era of leadership, innovation, and growth for the company, empowering Keenu to operate with agility under its current owners, who have been integral to its inception.
Established in 2013, Keenu operates in over 150 cities, offering digital payment solutions to businesses and consumers across Pakistan. Its services encompass payment gateways, point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile wallets, and more. Saad Niazi’s appointment as acting CEO aligns perfectly with the surge in cashless transactions witnessed in Pakistan, reflecting the country’s burgeoning digital payment landscape.
In the past five years, Pakistan has experienced remarkable growth in digital payments across various platforms, with point-of-sale transactions surpassing Rs. 1 trillion for the first time in FY23. Saad Niazi commented, “We’ve only scratched the surface, and the industry stands on the brink of disruption, propelled by a forward-thinking regulatory environment. With the introduction of the Raast person-to-merchant module, the foundation for digitization has been laid, and we aim to play a pivotal role.”
Saad Niazi brings a wealth of experience in the digital payments sector, having served as Keenu’s Chief Operating Officer for over a decade, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and prominence within Pakistan’s fintech arena.
“I’m excited to lead Keenu into this dynamic phase of expansion and innovation. Our vision is to redefine payment services, offering unmatched convenience, security, and accessibility. We are committed to driving positive change and reshaping the landscape of financial transactions. My focus is on accelerating our growth by enhancing our products, bolstering our marketing efforts, delivering seamless payment experiences, and expanding our presence beyond Pakistan,” stated Niazi.
The dawn of a new era for Keenu brings with it a brand rejuvenation, marked by the introduction of a new logo commemorating ten years of delivering comprehensive payment solutions to the Pakistani market. Niazi is joined by other founding members, including Raja Faisal Zaman, Ali Islam Khan, Sheikh Nabeel Wahid, Arbab Sikander, and Immad Aslam.
“We are actively seeking to expand our business beyond payments and drive further growth,” remarked Ali. The company is now poised to extend its reach beyond Pakistan, with a heightened focus on enhancing its technological capabilities.
