The UAE has secured the leading position in Forbes Middle East’s 2026 list of the 50 most powerful financial technology companies, with 15 companies from the country featured in the annual ranking.
The newly released list highlights the scale of financial technology activity across the Middle East, with the 50 companies processing transactions worth more than $260 billion.
These companies have also helped improve how consumers and businesses across the region access financial services, manage their money, and transfer funds.
UAE Leads, With Saudi Arabia and Egypt Following
The UAE topped the ranking in terms of the number of companies represented, with 15 businesses making the list. Saudi Arabia followed with 13 companies, while Egypt came third with 10.
The 2026 list includes companies from 10 countries across the Middle East and features 18 new entries this year.
Among the newcomers are Network International, Astra Tech, Digit9, and PRYPCO.
UAE-Based Companies Strengthen Their Presence on Forbes 2026 List
The UAE’s presence in this year’s ranking includes Network International, which secured fourth place among the region’s 50 most powerful fintech companies.
Based in the UAE, Network International specializes in electronic payments and financial solutions.
Its fourth-place position comes as the UAE accounts for the largest number of companies on the 2026 list.
Tabby Tops Ranking, Egypt’s Fawry Takes Second Place
Saudi Arabia-based Tabby, an app offering financial and shopping services, retained the top position for the second consecutive year.
The company held on to first place with annual transactions exceeding $18 billion.
Egypt’s Fawry, a leading electronic payments company, ranked second. Its monthly customer base reached 55.4 million as of June 2026.
Another Egyptian company, MNT-Halan, took third place after closing a funding round led by Al Ahly Capital Holding, the investment arm of the National Bank of Egypt.
The funding round valued MNT-Halan at $1.4 billion in June 2026.
The company is also currently offering 20% of its shares to the public through an initial public offering on the Egyptian Exchange.
UAE-based Network International followed in fourth place, completing the top four companies in the ranking.
How Forbes Selected the Region’s Leading Fintech Companies
Forbes Middle East based its 2026 ranking on several criteria covering the financial performance, operations, and reach of the companies included.
Among the factors considered were the amount of funding received from investors, the total value of transactions processed, and the number of active users.
The assessment also examined the impact of each company’s services on consumers and the number of countries in which it operates.
Innovation, growth, and business expansion over the past year were also taken into account when determining the final rankings.
The list excluded fintech platforms owned by exchange houses, telecommunications companies, banks, and governments.
