The Barriers to Fintech and Its Adoption in the Middle East

With a population nearing 500 million and projected to exceed 700 million by 2050, the Middle East holds immense potential as a Fintech hub. However, despite the region's key markets—such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran—ranking among the world’s top 50 economies by GDP, significant barriers remain. 

Regulatory fragmentation hampers cross-border collaboration, while a shortage of skilled tech talent stifles innovation. Limited access to early-stage capital further constrains startup growth. These challenges persist even as high mobile and internet penetration, strong remittance flows, and government-led initiatives lay the groundwork for rapid Fintech adoption. Addressing these obstacles is crucial to unlocking the full potential of