News

Egyptian Digital Lending Platform Blnk Raises $32 Million

Blnk, an Egyptian fintech startup that enables access to instant consumer credit, has raised millions in equity and debt funding.

Published

3 years ago

November 10, 2022

Nour Nasir

Blnk

Launched in October 2021 by Amr Sultan and Tarek Elsheikh, Blnk is an Egypt-based digital lending platform that “empowers merchants of all sizes to instantly underwrite and finance their customer’s purchases at the point of sale”. In a recent round of funding, the company managed to raise $23.7 million in equity and a further $8.3 million in securitized bond issuance. The funding will help support the ongoing development of the company’s AI-powered lending platform and aid with future expansion efforts.

For those unfamiliar with Blnk, the company offers credit for a wide range of products and services, with only a national ID required for application and decisions made in as little as 3 minutes. So far, Blnk has handed out over $20 million in loans, with installments ranging from 6 to 36 months.

“Our mission is to make it easier for more Egyptians to purchase the products and services they desire by offering inclusive and convenient consumer credit at the point of sale. We are delighted to have the backing of a great cohort of investors early in our journey. With their support, we believe we can drive financial inclusion in Egypt, as well as the wider Middle East and North Africa region,” says Amr Sultan, Co-founder, and CEO of Blnk.

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According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Egypt is soon expected to become the second-largest economy in the MENA region by the end of this year. However, with only 4% of Egyptians having credit cards, consumers and businesses are unable to take full advantage of economic opportunities, with many finding it difficult to realize their full potential.

By providing inclusive access to financing for consumers across Egypt, Blnk is helping to drive growth and development in the Egyptian economy that would otherwise be difficult.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

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Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.