Hosam Arab is a prominent figure in the Middle East’s burgeoning fintech landscape. As the Co-founder and CEO of Tabby, a leading buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform, he has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the region’s shopping experience.
Arab’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. After graduating from Harvard Business School, he honed his business acumen at McKinsey & Company before co-founding Namshi, a leading online fashion retailer in the Middle East, in 2011. His success with Namshi demonstrated his keen understanding of the region’s consumer needs and his ability to build scalable businesses.
In 2019, Arab saw an opportunity to address the growing demand for flexible payment options in the Middle East. He co-founded Tabby with the vision of making shopping more accessible and convenient for everyone. Tabby’s focus on Sharia-compliant solutions and seamless user experience quickly resonated with consumers and merchants alike.
Beyond his role at Tabby, Arab is a vocal advocate for the fintech industry and a thought leader on topics such as financial inclusion and innovation. He actively participates in conferences and events, sharing his insights and experiences with aspiring entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
Tabby: Shaping the Methods of Shopping in the Middle East
Tabby is a fintech company that offers a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service to its customers and merchants in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. Tabby is the first company to receive a permit from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to provide BNPL solutions in the Kingdom.
Tabby’s vision is to empower people in their daily lives and revolutionize how they shop, pay, and bank. Tabby allows its customers to split their payments into four interest-free installments, online or in-store, with no late fees or interest charges. Tabby also provides its customers with Sharia-compliant payment solutions. Tabby helps its merchants to increase their sales, conversion rates, and customer loyalty by offering them a seamless and secure checkout experience.
Tabby has achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first Saudi fintech unicorn by securing $340 million in a Series C equity funding round in December 2023, co-led by SNB Capital and Sanabil Investments. Tabby plans to use the funds to launch new products and services, going beyond BNPL and targeting opportunities in shopping, payments, and banking services in Saudi Arabia and across the GCC.
Tabby has more than 10 million users and over 30,000 partner merchants and has reported six times annual run rate revenue growth in less than two years. Tabby operates in Saudi Arabia, where it is headquartered, as well as in the UAE and Kuwait. Tabby also has offices in Dubai, Berlin, and Ho Chi Minh City. Tabby is one of the leading and fastest-growing fintech platforms in the region.
What does Tabby offer?
- Flexible payments: Split purchases into 4 interest-free payments without hidden fees or charges.
- Sharia-compliant: Operates under Islamic financial principles, making it suitable for a wider audience in the region.
- Extensive merchant network: Partners with over 30,000+ brands, ranging from global giants like SHEIN and Adidas to local favorites like Noon and Ikea.
- Seamless user experience: Easy-to-use app and website facilitate quick registration, secure transactions, and effortless payment management.
- Reward program: Earn points through the Tabby Rewards program with every purchase, unlocking exclusive discounts and benefits.
Hosam’s Notable Achievements
Hosam Arab’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized as one of the “Forbes Middle East Top 30 Under 30” and one of the “Bloomberg 50 Most Innovative Leaders in the Middle East.” These accolades speak volumes about his entrepreneurial prowess and vision for the future of fintech in the region.
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