Airwallex Expands into UAE and Saudi Arabia, Partnering with Tabby for Growth

Malaz Madani

Last updated 30-09-2025

3 min

Airwallex expands in the Gulf, gaining approval from the UAE Central Bank and Saudi Arabia.

The firm plans to offer digital wallets, multi-currency accounts, and international transfers in Abu Dhabi.

Compliance with Saudi Vision 2030 underscores its growth as a fintech pioneer in the region.

Partnering with Tabby, Airwallex improves consumer payment flexibility and enhances retailer sales.

Their global strategy aims to support 150,000 customers and facilitate easier cross-border payments.

Airwallex, the global fintech player, has just firmed up its presence in the Gulf by securing an initial green light from the UAE Central Bank and registering a fresh entity in Saudi Arabia. For those of us following regional entrepreneurship hubs through Arageek, this feels like another sign that the ecosystem is heating up at pace.

In Abu Dhabi, regulators gave the company an in-principle nod to provide what’s known as stored value facility services — essentially digital wallets — alongside retail payment licensing. Sounds a bit of a faff in regulatory terms, but in practice it means Airwallex can roll out multi-currency accounts, international transfers, cards for businesses, and the ability to accept payments. They said they’re now hiring locally to get operations properly underway.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, approval from the Ministry of Investment allows Airwallex to set up legally on the ground. That dovetails neatly with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 push to deepen its digital economy. Having been in Riyadh earlier this year, I remember how every second conversation seemed to link back to 2030 — no surprise then that global fintech firms want a slice of that landscape.

Perhaps the most eye-catching bit is Airwallex teaming up with Tabby, the buy now, pay later giant that many shoppers in Dubai and Riyadh are already familiar with. This partnership means local retailers can offer flexible payments that suit consumer habits here, and let’s be honest… shoppers adore that option. Greater conversion rates and higher basket sizes are obvious perks for merchants.

The company framed its expansion as part of a bigger strategy: it already holds over sixty licences worldwide, aiming to make businesses “virtually global” through its infrastructure-first approach. One executive noted that gaining approval in the UAE and laying a foundation in Saudi were strategic moves serving their 150,000 global customers while unlocking “huge opportunities” for companies across the Gulf. Spot on, really, considering how cross-border trade is the lifeblood of startups in the region.

I reckon this could be a turning point for smaller MENA-based firms too. If Airwallex lowers the barriers to international payments, founders might finally spend less time chasing banking solutions and more time building products. And believe it or not, that’s often the difference between staying afloat or sinking. To borrow a phrase from one Saudi founder I once bumped into, “financial services here need to feel less like a mountain climb and more like a gentle jog.” Couldn’t agree more myself.

And yes, fintech expansion stories sometimes feel repetitive — another licence here, another office there — but this one has tangible ripple effects. It ties global capacity with local ambition. For startups chasing regional growth, the timing is definately welcome.

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