Papara partners with BlindLook to make financial services accessible for the visually impaired

By Joy Dumasia

Papara, the market-leading Turkish FinTech with over 11 million users, has partnered with BlindLook, the social enterprise developing freedom technologies to create independence for the world’s 285 million blind, to make Papara’s products and services fully accessible for the visually impaired. 

Papara provides instant, free, multi-currency transfers and financial services for its users. Through BlindLook’s voice-oriented technology, visually impaired users will be able to use the Papara app and website without any external assistance, allowing them to manage their finances safely and independently for the first time. 

Papara has rapidly grown since its inception five years ago; the business has achieved an 82% year-on-year increase in registered users. Coinciding with its fifth anniversary, Papara hit the 11 million users milestone in August, all with no external investment to date. This growth is set to continue as Papara expands into Europe next year. 

Ahmed F. Karslı, Founder and CEO of Papara, commented: “Making our services fully accessible for the blind is a huge milestone for us, and one we’re immensely proud of. Those with visual impairments have traditionally struggled to perform basic financial services like opening a bank account or transferring money independently. At Papara, breaking down these barriers to financial inclusion is at the very core of what we do. By embedding BlindLook’s audio technology into our digital platform, we have come one step closer to achieving our ultimate mission of providing financial freedom and equality for all, regardless of age, gender, economic background or disability.” 

Sadriye Görece, BlindLook Co-Founder, added: “As the largest and most popular FinTech in Turkey with over 11 million users, Papara’s adoption of our audio technology marks a significant commitment to improving the lives of the blind in Turkey. In fact, Papara’s initiative has positively impacted the lives of five million people, to include the families and friends of the visually impaired who now no longer need support in managing their finances. We would like to thank Papara very much for being a partner in realising our dream of an equal and barrier-free world for all.”