Egyptian fintech company Valu announced on Monday that it has received final approval from the Central Bank of Jordan to begin operations in the country under a specialized finance license, marking a key step in its regional expansion strategy.
Valu’s expansion into Jordan
The approval follows initial regulatory clearance granted in 2025 and clears the way for Valu to fully launch its platform in Jordan, according to a company statement. The fintech plans to offer consumer financing solutions across multiple sectors, including retail, electronics, healthcare, and education.
Valu said it aims to start operations in the first quarter of 2026, describing the move as a major milestone in its Middle East growth strategy and part of its long-term commitment to promoting financial inclusion in Jordan.
The company added that its market entry is supported by extensive preparation, including hiring local professionals with expertise in finance, fintech, and operations, as well as forming strategic partnerships with merchants and financial institutions across the country.
“As we prepare to launch operations in the first quarter of 2026, our focus remains on driving financial inclusion through innovative, customer-centric products, while investing in local talent and contributing to Jordan’s financial ecosystem,” said Habiba Naguib, Valu’s chief market expansion and strategy officer.
Leadership appointments
As part of its launch preparations, Valu has appointed former Jordanian Minister of Investment Mothanna Gharaibeh as chairman of Valu Jordan, and Mohammad Al Yousef as chief executive officer.
The company said the appointments underscore its emphasis on strong corporate governance and operational efficiency through experienced local leadership.
Gharaibeh previously served as Jordan’s minister of communications and information technology and as the country’s first minister of digital economy and entrepreneurship between 2018 and 2020. He played a central role in advancing Jordan’s digital infrastructure and has held senior leadership positions in the telecommunications sector, including leading Ericsson’s operations in Jordan.
Al Yousef brings more than 18 years of regional experience across fintech, e-commerce, technology, and telecommunications. His background includes expanding Apple’s carrier business in Jordan during his tenure at Arab Business Machines, Apple’s Middle East distributor. He also led the launch of e-commerce and buy-now-pay-later services with strong monthly growth as country manager for Zood Super App.
Industry recognition
Valu was ranked 10th on Forbes Middle East’s Fintech 50 list for 2025.
