Markaz Launches “iMarkaz Invest” to Revolutionise MENA Digital Trading

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 29-03-2026

4 min

Markaz has launched “iMarkaz Invest” as part of its digital transformation push.

The platform offers one dashboard for Kuwait, Saudi, UAE and US markets.

It promises real-time data, streamlined onboarding and secure, compliant trading.

Designed to blend digital agility with Markaz’s long-standing institutional backing.

Further upgrades are planned as MENA demand for self-directed investing grows.

Kuwait Financial Centre, better known as Markaz, has rolled out a new digital trading platform, “iMarkaz Invest”, as it doubles down on its digital transformation plans and responds to what it sees as fast-changing investor expectations across the region.

The platform gives users access to markets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States through a single digital interface. It is positioned as secure, intuitive and efficient, with real-time market data, portfolio visibility and a simplified account-opening process designed to reduce friction for first-time and seasoned investors alike.

Across MENA, there is growing demand for self-directed investing. At Arageek, we often hear from founders who say that managing their personal investments can sometimes feel like a bit of a faff, especially when switching between platforms and jurisdictions. In that sense, a unified dashboard covering four key markets sounds, at least on paper, spot on.

The launch marks what Markaz describes as a milestone in its ongoing digital transformation. The company, established in 1974 and listed on Boursa Kuwait since 1997, manages more than KD 1.52 billion (around USD 4.98 billion) in assets as of the end of December 2025. Over the decades, it has introduced several firsts in Kuwait’s investment landscape, including the country’s first domestic mutual fund, Mumtaz, and the first real estate investment fund, MREF.

Salman Olayan, Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning, Digitization & Analytics at Markaz, said the new platform was built to be innovative but also practical and secure for everyday use. He noted that the interface focuses on efficient navigation, real-time visibility and the speed required for modern investment decisions, while maintaining the operational and governance standards clients expect.

That emphasis on reliability is not accidental. Digital trading platforms are everywhere now, but not all come with the backing of a long-established institution. I reckon this blend of digital agility and institutional discipline could appeal to investors who want flexibility without feeling they are stepping into the unknown.

The platform is also designed to sit alongside Markaz’s existing wealth management services. Maryam Al Rifae, Senior Vice President for Wealth Management and Business Development, said iMarkaz Invest aims to elevate the client experience by offering straightforward digital access to what she described as a carefully selected group of strong and relevant markets: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US. According to her, these markets combine regional weight with broader international potential.

Users can monitor holdings and performance through a real-time dashboard, open accounts through a streamlined digital onboarding process, and trade across local and international exchanges. The service is integrated into Markaz’s existing portal and mobile application, allowing clients to manage investments remotely. The company also points to its focus on data security, operational resilience and regulatory compliance, with support available during trading hours.

On the flip side, execution will be everything. Many financial institutions announce shiny new apps, but user adoption comes down to experience, speed, clarity, and how quickly issues are solved. Well… I mean, investors today have little patience for clunky systems.

Looking ahead, Markaz says it plans to expand the platform’s functionality and deepen data insights, continuing to align its digital services with what it calls global best practices. If delivered well, this could further strengthen its position in Kuwait’s competitive investment scene.

For a region where entrepreneurship is booming and liquidity events are slowly becoming less rare, tools like these are definately part of the bigger picture. Whether iMarkaz Invest becomes a go-to gateway for regional investors remains to be seen, but it signals clearly that digital investing in MENA is no longer optional, it is the direction of travel.

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