Sarwa tops $1b in client assets, boosts UAE investing

By Parth Prabhudesai

Sarwa has crossed $1 billion in client assets, becoming the first homegrown platform in the UAE to reach the milestone and signalling a shift in retail investing across the region.

The company’s growth has been closely linked to the ecosystem at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where it participated in the FinTech Hive Accelerator in 2017. It later became the first firm to graduate from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) sandbox and secured backing from the DIFC FinTech Fund.

The milestone reflects rising participation from retail investors in the UAE, supported by increasing digital adoption and financial awareness. What was once considered a niche segment is now becoming a key part of the region’s financial landscape.

Mark Chahwan, Group CEO and co-founder of Sarwa, said, “When we started, many said retail investing would not work in MENA. Crossing $1 billion in client assets proves otherwise. The demand was always there—what was missing was trust, access, and a simple product.”

He added that investors in the region are now actively building portfolios and engaging with markets in ways previously limited to institutional players.

Jad Sayegh, co-founder and CTO, said the growth reflects strong user momentum. “This achievement belongs to our clients. The speed at which we have reached this point shows how quickly momentum builds once people start investing,” he said.

Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, noted that Sarwa’s progress highlights the strength of the local ecosystem. “Reaching $1 billion in client assets reflects both Sarwa’s strategy and DIFC’s role in enabling companies to scale across the region,” he said.

With continued growth in investor participation, the milestone points to a maturing investment landscape in the UAE.