The MENA Fintech Association (MFTA) has launched its Pakistan Chapter to connect the country’s financial services sector with an international network of fintech companies, financial institutions, regulators, investors and policymakers. Founded in Dubai in 2018, MFTA has grown into a regional fintech network representing 22 markets, with more than 50,000 members. These include organisations such as Galaxy Digital, SWIFT, Meta, ADI, Binance, Checkout.com and Ripple.
The inaugural gathering was convened to bring together senior leaders from banking, financial services, policy and industry and to lay the foundation for institutional collaboration. The evening introduced the leadership team that will guide the Chapter’s local engagement. Discussions covered financial services, investment, technology and policy, reflecting the breadth of stakeholders the Chapter aims to bring together.
“MFTA’s vision for Pakistan is to build a two-way bridge: connecting its financial services leadership with MFTA’s international network, bringing global expertise and insights to Pakistan, while ensuring Pakistan’s perspectives contribute to wider regional and global conversations”
– Nameer Khan, Founder and Chairman of MFTA.
Pakistan is MFTA’s newest chapter and the latest step in the association’s regional expansion. MFTA established its Africa Chapter in July 2023, followed by chapters in Qatar in February 2024, Bahrain in June 2024 and Saudi Arabia in June 2025. A Jordan Chapter was set up in 2026 with the support of the Central Bank of Jordan, and the Iraq Chapter is chaired by Bahaa Abdul Hadi, Chairman of International Smart Card (Qi Card). Each chapter has its own leadership and programming and connects its market to the association’s wider network.
The Pakistan Chapter will serve as a local platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and cross-border opportunities. It will focus on helping Pakistan’s industry build cross-border partnerships and on supporting the policy and research work needed for the next phase of fintech innovation in the country. In line with MFTA’s chapter model, this is expected to include roundtables, knowledge-sharing sessions and other initiatives that bring local stakeholders together. Co-Chairs Imran Khan and Mubariz Siddiqui will lead the Chapter’s initiatives, institutional engagement and membership onboarding. MFTA also thanked early supporters who have already committed to backing the Chapter’s upcoming initiatives.
At the regional level, MFTA works through its Policy & Regulation Council, specialist working groups and global partnerships to engage central banks, policymakers and financial institutions on regulatory dialogue, knowledge exchange and industry development. Its eight working groups cover policy and regulation, payments, digital assets, open finance, the future of finance and AI, sustainable fintech, digital banking and fintech marketing. The Pakistan Chapter extends this engagement to local stakeholders. Attendees at the inaugural event included representatives of major banks such as HBL, Bank Alfalah, Faysal Bank and others, and fintech companies including NayaPay, SadaPay and Keenu, and ecosystem support organisations. Beyond its chapters and working groups, MFTA runs initiatives including the Regulatory Sandbox Navigator, capacity-building programmes, the Sustainable Fintech Pledge and the MENA Fintech Council. Its flagship MENA Fintech Awards, now in their fifth edition, are held during Abu Dhabi Finance Week in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The association also hosts industry receptions, boardrooms and roundtables, and its Visionaries Supper Club, giving members regular opportunities to meet and exchange ideas.
MFTA has invited organisations and professionals interested in engaging further to connect with Imran Khan, Mubariz Siddiqui and the wider team. More information on the association, including its research reports, thought leadership, policy publications and initiatives, is available at www.mena-fintech.org.
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