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Egypt’s Lucky Raises $23m to Expand Credit Access Across North Africa

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Egypt’s leading fintech company Lucky, has secured $23 million in a Series B funding round, marking a decisive push to expand consumer credit access across North Africa and accelerate its transition toward a neo-banking platform.

The Cairo-based fintech also operating in the Middle East said the round comprising a mix of equity and debt, drew backing from existing and new investors, including Disruptech Ventures and Development Partners International, alongside strategic participation from Suez Canal Bank and OneStop.

As part of the deal, prominent tech investor Mohamed Farouk has been appointed chairman of Lucky’s board, signalling a governance shift as the company enters its next growth phase.

The funding follows a breakout year for the company, which reported threefold annual growth in 2025 and reached profitability by year-end. This is an inflection point in a region where fintechs have historically prioritised scale over margins.

Lucky’s expansion comes against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving financial ecosystem in Egypt, where policymakers are pushing for broader financial inclusion under the Central Bank of Egypt’s digital transformation agenda. Despite progress, large segments of the population remain underbanked, creating a fertile market for technology-led credit solutions.

The company said the new capital would be deployed to scale its credit products, expand into North African markets and strengthen its infrastructure, licensing and regulatory readiness, key steps as it positions itself as a “neo-banking-ready” platform.

“Lucky has demonstrated disciplined growth, strong product-market fit, and a clear vision for inclusive digital finance,” said Mohamed Farouk. “This investment supports a platform that is well-positioned to be one of the leading players in the next phase of consumer credit and neo-banking in the region.”

Chief executive Ayman Essawy framed the raise as a catalyst for broader systemic impact.

“Financial access is the foundation of progress,” he said. “This round allows us to scale responsibly, invest in infrastructure, and deepen our impact as regulators unlock digital onboarding and modern payment frameworks across Egypt and the region.”

Lucky’s model centres on simplifying access to credit through digital channels, leveraging data and artificial intelligence to assess risk and expand eligibility. Its flagship offering includes a payment card designed for universal usability, aimed at consumers underserved by traditional banking systems.

The timing of the raise reflects strengthening regulatory tailwinds. Egypt has introduced reforms spanning digital onboarding, payments infrastructure and Payment Service Provider (PSP) licensing. These developments are widely viewed as a turning point for fintech operators with proven scale and compliance capabilities. Lucky confirmed it has already initiated work toward securing a PSP licence, which would allow it to broaden its financial services stack.

Since its launch, the company has built an extensive network of merchant and financial institution partnerships, supporting a fast-growing user base across Egypt. The Series B proceeds will also fund its planned entry into select North African markets, where similar structural gaps in credit access persist.

For investors, the deal underscores a renewed appetite for fintech platforms that combine profitability with scale in emerging markets. For Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, it signals a shift toward more mature, capital-efficient growth models, where technology-driven financial services are increasingly central to unlocking economic participation.

As competition intensifies across the region, Lucky’s ability to execute on expansion while navigating regulatory complexity will be closely watched. But with fresh capital, institutional backing and a strengthened board, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of North Africa’s digital finance transformation.

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