Amazon buys 3.95% stake in Egypt-based FinTech Valu

By Vriti Gothi

Valu has secured a 3.95% equity investment from Amazon via the Egyptian Exchange, advancing FinTech innovation and financial inclusion in MENA.

Following regulatory approvals, Amazon will hold approximately 3.95% of Valu’s shares, formalising its exercise of an option agreement signed with EFG Holding in May 2022. The agreement initially involved a $10 million investment in global depository receipts (GDRs) of the EGX-listed EFG Holding, with the right to convert into a direct stake in Valu.

The transaction has been executed via a block trade mechanism during Valu’s inaugural trading session on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), which was scheduled on 23 June 2025, at a share price of EGP 6.04.

Valu’s is a customer-centric, digitally native solutions that span Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL), lifestyle financing, and merchant services. The partnership with Amazon, marks a powerful convergence of retail innovation and next-generation financial services.

Karim Awad, Group CEO of EFG Holding, said, “This milestone reinforces our strategic vision of building agile, scalable, and high-impact platforms. We are proud to partner with Amazon in this journey and remain committed to maximising long-term value for our shareholders and customers.”

Walid Hassouna, CEO of Valu, said, “Our partnership with Amazon is a testament to Valu’s success in delivering accessible, tech-enabled financial solutions. We continue to transform the way individuals and businesses engage with financial services, simplifying experiences and unlocking economic opportunities.”

With a shared emphasis on data-driven decision-making, operational agility, and inclusive financial empowerment, both companies are aligned in their pursuit of reshaping the future of finance in the region.

EFG Hermes acted as sole financial advisor to EFG Holding and Valu on the transaction, ensuring strategic execution aligned with market and shareholder interests.

As Valu embarks on this new chapter as a publicly listed FinTech trailblazer, the collaboration with Amazon positions it at the vanguard of a more connected, inclusive, and digitally optimized financial future.