ValU Secures Jordanian Licence, Prepares 2026 Fintech Launch

Editorial Team

Last updated 5-01-2026

3 min

valU has received final approval from Jordan's central bank to offer fintech services.

They plan to launch in Jordan by the first quarter of 2026 after regulatory completion.

Mothanna Gharaibeh, ex-Minister, and Mohammad Al Yousef, fintech veteran, will lead the team.

The approval is crucial for valU's regional growth, boosting financial inclusion and local talent.

Jordan's demand for consumer finance and regulatory support makes it ideal for valU's expansion.

Egypt’s fintech player valU has inched a step closer to its regional ambitions after securing final approval from the Central Bank of Jordan to operate in the country. The green light comes under a Specialized Finance licence, allowing the company to roll out its consumer financing services once it wraps up the last bits of regulatory and operational prep. If all goes to plan, valU expects to go live in Jordan during the first quarter of 2026.

What caught my attention — and I’ve heard similar stories from founders across the MENA region through Arageek’s work — is how these licensing journeys can feel like a bit of a faff. You think you're nearly done, then another form appears from nowhere. That said, completing the process in Jordan seems to have given valU some serious momentum.

The company has also introduced its leadership team for the new market. Mothanna Gharaibeh, Jordan’s former Minister of Investment, will serve as Chairman for valU Jordan. Before that, he held key government roles, including Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and built a long private‑sector career across telecoms and digital transformation. Alongside him is Mohammad Al Yousef as CEO, bringing nearly two decades of experience from fintech, e‑commerce and tech roles, with stints at Apple’s regional distributor, Zood Super App, and Samsung Electronics Levant. Quite the line‑up, and spot on for a company aiming to plug seamlessly into the local ecosystem.

According to Habiba Naguib, valU’s Chief Market Expansion and Strategy Officer, the regulator’s final nod marks a pivotal moment for the company. She pointed to Jordan’s importance in valU’s regional expansion strategy and highlighted commitments to financial inclusion, customer‑centred products and investing in local talent. And believe it or not, she also credited Hammouri & Partners Attorneys for supporting the licensing process — a small detail, but these partnerships sometimes make or break timelines.

Jordan, with its rising appetite for consumer finance tools and steady regulatory support, is shaping up to be fertile ground for valU. I reckon the market competition will heat up quickly, but that’s hardly a bad thing for consumers. On the flip side, execution will be everything; I’ve seen too many promising expansions stumble because teams underestimated the nuances on the ground.

Still, the company seems chuffed to bits with this milestone — and unless something goes wildly off‑track, 2026 could be an interesting year for Jordan’s fintech scene.

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