Astra Tech in Abu Dhabi raises $500 Million in funding led by Citi

Abdallah Abu-Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech | Image source: Abdallah Abu Sheikh/Flickr
WT default author logo
Women's Tabloid News Desk

Quantix Technology Projects, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Astra Tech, has raised $500 million in funding from Citi to enhance its financial services offerings. This significant investment, announced during the Abu Dhabi Finance Week on Wednesday, is described as “among the largest” ever provided to a UAE FinTech company.

The funds will support Quantix’s CashNow consumer lending platform, which offers services such as lending, credit, and microfinancing. Earlier this year, the company received a finance company licence from the UAE Central Bank, enabling it and its parent company, Astra Tech, to expand their financial services portfolio within the country.

Tariq bin Hendi, board member and managing director of Astra Tech, highlighted the global transformation of the FinTech sector, noting that it is attracting considerable investment. He added, “The GCC, and particularly the UAE, continues to exhibit strong growth despite global macroeconomic challenges. This financing from Citi allows Quantix and AstraTech to expand the Ultra app ecosystem.”

Astra Tech, which also owns other platforms such as PayBy and home services app Rizek, is focused on building an all-in-one platform designed to simplify and enhance consumers’ financial decisions, whether it’s securing loans or managing daily finances.

The recent funding comes amidst a rising trend of investment in the region’s FinTech sector. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s BNPL platform Tamara raised $340 million in December last year, with support from major investors such as SNB Capital and Sanabil Investments, highlighting the growing interest in FinTech innovation across the GCC.

Share:

Related Insights

Saudi Financial Academy introduces a new program to elevate female executives in banking and investment

OQC, JPMorganChase and AMD launch London quantum computing research hub

Intention.ly secures official Women’s Business Enterprise certification from WBENC

Corlytics appoints Lisa Miles-Heal as Chief Executive Officer to drive next growth phase

Citi introduces algorithmic trade connectivity for Asia Pacific exchange traded funds platform

Kreab Worldwide opens its first regional office in the Middle East in Riyadh

FEMPOWERMENT launches in the UAE, aiming to build the GCC’s leading women’s empowerment ecosystem

The power of two missing letters: how L’Oréal Paris’ Sit Al Bait ست البيت moved from cultural truth to classroom – redefining the language of women’s worth