MNT-Halan Highlights Egypt’s Fintech Strength at EU-Egypt Summit

Brussels is buzzing this week with heavyweight talks between Egypt and the European Union, and right in the thick of it stands Mounir Nakhla, the man steering Egypt’s first unicorn, MNT-Halan. At the EU–Egypt Summit, which gathered President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and a lineup of high-profile ministers and industry leaders, Nakhla took part in a session aptly titled *Innovate to Elevate: Putting Research and Innovation at the Heart of Competitiveness*. Quite the stage, really.

Nakhla spoke about MNT-Halan’s rise as a home-grown success story—a fintech force driving Egypt’s digital shift and giving real financial access to individuals and small businesses that had long been left behind. He highlighted how the private sector, when paired with smart policy, can truly move the needle on innovation and inclusion. I reckon it’s a message that resonated well in that hall full of technocrats and business minds.

The discussion also featured some pretty big names: Egypt’s Investment Minister Hassan El-Khatib, European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, Siemens CEO Roland Busch, KfW Development Bank’s Stefan Wintels, and Belvie Tursti from the European Training Foundation. Together they explored how Europe and Egypt could deepen cooperation through research, sustainable industries, and digital innovation. It’s the kind of conversation that can seem like a bit of a faff until you realise these partnerships often spark real investments down the line.

Now, MNT-Halan isn’t just another startup basking in its unicorn glory. The company’s success in attracting funding from major global institutions has put Egypt firmly on the regional map for innovation. And believe it or not, that’s a powerful signal to investors that the MENA startup landscape is maturing—something we at Arageek have long cheered for.

The summit, under the joint patronage of President El-Sisi and von der Leyen, delved deep into how both sides could build sustainable industrial value chains and use innovation to drive shared prosperity. It’s no small feat balancing high-level politics with talk of fintech and digital ecosystems, but Egypt’s role here feels well… spot on.

From what I’ve seen of MNT-Halan over the years, their journey embodies that blend of grit and vision you often find in MENA startups—the kind of spirit Arageek loves to highlight. As Egypt continues pitching itself as a key digital and investment partner for Europe, Nakhla’s presence in Brussels feels less like symbolism and more like proof of concept. The country isn’t just talking transformation anymore; it’s living it, step by step, app by app—sometimes with a stumble or two, sure, but that’s all part of the grind.

For Egypt, this moment shows how far its entrepreneurial ecosystem has come—and, honestly, how much further it might yet go if leaders keep that momentum alive. I’m definately keeping an eye on where Nakhla and MNT-Halan go next.

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