Kiwe secures approval from CBE to launch payments app

By Aarav Garg

Egyptian FinTech startup Kiwe has secured final approval from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to launch its consumer payments app and card, paving the way for its market rollout later in 2026.

The licence marks a milestone for Egypt’s digital finance sector as regulators continue to open the market to new payment and money management platforms. Kiwe said its offering has been developed in partnership with Banque Misr, Visa, domestic payment scheme Meeza, and Egyptian payments processor ModuPay, formerly MDP.

Omar Kamel, Co-Founder of Kiwe, said, “Receiving final approval from the Central Bank of Egypt is a defining moment for Kiwe. From day one, our goal has been to rethink how people experience money — to make it simpler, more relevant, transparent, and social. With the launch of our app and card, we’re offering users a platform that helps them manage, share, and understand their money in a way that feels natural and empowering. We’re excited about what 2026 holds, not just for Kiwe, but for the future of FinTech in Egypt.”

Founded in 2021 by Mohamed Khalifa, Fatma Khalifa and Omar Kamel, Kiwe is targeting everyday consumer financial use cases, combining payments with budgeting and collaborative money tools. The platform is designed to support shared spending scenarios such as travel planning, group purchases and joint contributions, alongside individual account management.

Users will also have access to features including instant transfers, spending analytics and financial insights aimed at improving visibility over day-to-day finances. The company is positioning itself within a growing segment of FinTech providers seeking to move beyond basic payments into broader personal financial management.

Kiwe enters a market where digital wallets, prepaid cards and mobile-led financial services have expanded rapidly, supported by regulatory reforms and rising consumer demand for app-based banking experiences. Partnerships with established banking and payments infrastructure providers may help accelerate customer onboarding and transaction acceptance.

The startup is backed by a group of regional investors including EFG Hermes, consumer finance platform valU, Cairo Capital, Dfin Holding, Marakez Group and EFG EV, the venture capital arm of EFG Holding.

With final approval now in place, Kiwe plans to launch commercially this year and expand its product suite over time. The company’s entry adds to increasing competition in Egypt’s FinTech ecosystem, where providers are racing to capture demand for digital-first payments, smarter money tools and more flexible consumer finance experiences.