NowPay secures $20M to expand its payroll and financial wellness platform into Saudi Arabia, combining fintech infrastructure with local expertise.
NowPay, a MENA-focused payroll and financial wellness startup, has raised $20 million to accelerate its expansion into Saudi Arabia and scale its enterprise fintech solutions.
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“Partnering with Tas’heel allows us to bring our proven technology into a high-growth market with the right local expertise,” said Mostafa Ashour, CEO and Co-founder of NowPay.
Founded in 2019, NowPay provides payroll processing, earned wage access, and financial wellness tools to enterprises across the region. Its platform empowers employers to offer employees greater financial control and flexibility, integrating payroll management with tech-driven financial benefits.
The new investment will support the launch of Saudi operations through a joint venture, NowAccess, in partnership with United International Holding Company (UIHC) – Tas’heel. Funding will be allocated to product development, team expansion, and go-to-market execution.
“Through Tas’heel, we’ve built a strong foundation in consumer finance. NowAccess marks a strategic move into payroll-linked Shariah-compliant financial products,” said Mohamed Galal, eXtra MD & CEO and Acting CEO of Tas’heel. “It allows us to serve employers and employees with innovative, accessible solutions tailored to the Saudi market.”
NowAccess will deliver payroll administration and processing services across Saudi Arabia, combining NowPay’s fintech infrastructure with Tas’heel’s local presence and operational capabilities. The venture represents a long-term collaboration aimed at driving innovation in the Kingdom’s fintech and HR technology landscape.
The expansion comes amid rising demand for digital payroll and financial wellness tools across the Gulf, driven by employers seeking to enhance employee benefits, improve cash flow, and support financial inclusion. Shariah-compliant fintech solutions, in particular, are gaining traction as regulatory and cultural alignment becomes a key factor in adoption.
Ashour emphasized the synergy between the partners: “Our technology combined with Tas’heel’s market knowledge creates a scalable model for delivering seamless payroll and financial wellness experiences that comply with local regulations and workforce expectations.”
The move positions NowPay as a leading regional fintech startup in payroll-linked financial services, offering employers and employees integrated solutions that combine compliance, convenience, and financial empowerment, while demonstrating the potential of local partnerships to accelerate fintech growth in MENA.
Why NowPay Matters to MENA
NowPay’s expansion into Saudi Arabia highlights the rising potential of fintech startups in the Gulf, particularly in payroll and financial wellness. Investors are increasingly backing platforms that combine digital infrastructure, compliance, and Shariah-aligned solutions to address workforce needs.
For regional startups, the joint venture with Tas’heel demonstrates a scalable model for market entry, leveraging local partnerships to accelerate growth, reduce operational risks, and unlock access to large employer networks.
This move also signals that MENA investors are prioritizing tech-driven financial solutions that can drive both adoption and financial inclusion at scale.
