MNT-Halan Launches Egypt’s First Digital Secured Lending Platform, Disrupting Fintech Scene

Malaz Madani

Last updated 25-09-2025

3 min

MNT-Halan unveils Egypt’s first fully digital secured lending solution accessible via the Halan app.

Users can borrow up to 80% of investments without cashing them out, ensuring liquidity.

The digital process offers low-interest rates and interest-free transactions for up to 45 days.

This solution addresses cash access fears, catering to modern financial flexibility demands.

MNT-Halan expands its reach across Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE, challenging traditional banks.

MNT-Halan has just taken a bold step in Egypt’s fintech space, rolling out what it calls the country’s first fully digital secured lending solution outside the traditional banking system. The service, accessible via the Halan app, lets users borrow instantly against their investments—up to 80 per cent of their value—without having to cash them out. In plain terms, it’s a way for people to get liquidity on demand, while still keeping their money working in the background. Spot on idea, really.

The way it works is fairly straightforward. After completing a digital onboarding process—what’s known in the industry as eKYC—users can receive a credit limit of as much as EGP 500,000 on their Halan card. What’s notable here is that the limit comes at interest rates considerably lower than typical personal credit facilities. Even better, transactions made with the Halan card can carry zero interest and no fees for up to 45 days, provided they’re approved through the app or one of Halan’s kiosks dotted around the country.

Founder and CEO Mounir Nakhla explained the thinking behind the launch, pointing out that many people shy away from investments because they worry about getting quick access to cash in an emergency. This product, he said, essentially removes that fear. His words echoed a trend I’ve noticed across the MENA region—customers increasingly want financial services to fit around their daily lives, not the other way round. And believe it or not, I recall a chat with a small business owner in Cairo who once said the biggest headache was “locking money away” in investments without flexibility. Halan’s move does seem to answer that.

The lending feature isn’t just a stand-alone gimmick. It complements MNT-Halan’s wider investment menu: from gold-based funds and equity opportunities to Sharia-compliant products and even a daily-return savings option, all regulated by Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority. That said, regulations may sound a bit of a faff to some, but they matter; they give customers confidence that things are above board.

With more than 8 million customers on its books and 2 million people using the app actively each quarter, the company has already positioned itself as a heavyweight in the region. It’s not only Egypt either—MNT-Halan’s reach now extends to Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE. No small feat for a startup that began with a focus on financial inclusion.

I reckon this move could push other fintech players in the region to rethink how they design lending products. On the flip side, it remains to be seen how traditional banks will respond, since secured lending is usually their territory. But the market is shifting, and from what we see at Arageek, startups in MENA have a knack for spotting gaps and moving quicker than the old guard.

And perhaps that’s the heart of it: bridging the gap between having money invested and still being able to tap into it when life throws a curveball. Some might call it innovation. Others might say it’s just common sense. Either way, customers are likely to be chuffed to bits with the extra flexibility—though, let’s see how it plays out in the longer run. It’s definately one to watch.

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