Summary of Paymob, started by three college friends, lands another $22M and is profitable in Egypt | TechCrunch

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    Paymob's Rise: A Fintech Success Story in Egypt

    Paymob, a leading fintech in Egypt, has emerged as a game-changer in the country's e-commerce landscape. Founded by three Egyptian university students, the company has achieved remarkable success by providing a comprehensive payment gateway for small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Egypt and the Middle East.

    • Paymob began as a small venture in 2015, addressing the lack of online payment methods in Egypt.
    • The company has expanded its services beyond Egypt to include Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, catering to a growing merchant base.
    • Paymob has raised over $90 million in funding to date, including a recent $22 million extension to its Series B round.

    Addressing the Gap in Egypt's E-commerce Ecosystem

    The founders of Paymob identified a significant gap in Egypt's e-commerce ecosystem: a lack of accessible and reliable payment solutions for businesses. Traditional banks were not providing adequate financial technology services to support new digital business models.

    • Paymob emerged as a solution, offering a robust payment infrastructure for digital wallets, cards, buy now, pay later (BNPL), and QR payments.
    • Their platform now enables over 350,000 merchants across five countries in the Middle East and North Africa to accept online and offline payments.

    Paymob's Expansion: Leveraging Growth in Egypt and the UAE

    Paymob has witnessed impressive growth, particularly in the UAE, where the demand for digital payments is surging. The company's online acceptance product in the UAE has seen rapid adoption, achieving transaction volume equivalent to its entire Egyptian business within just 14 months.

    • The UAE's high purchasing power, strong currency, and greater reliance on digital wallets compared to cash have fueled Paymob's growth in the region.
    • Despite its success in the UAE, Egypt remains Paymob's largest market, with the company aiming to replicate the UAE's digital payment adoption levels in Egypt.

    Paymob's Profitability: A Sign of a Sound Business Model

    Paymob has achieved profitability in Egypt, highlighting the company's sustainable business model. The company's revenues have grown sixfold since mid-2022, demonstrating its success in cross-selling services to its expanding merchant base.

    • Paymob's product suite, which includes payment acceptance, payables, working capital, and financial management tools, has enabled it to generate revenue from a diverse range of services.
    • The company's focus on digital solutions and partnerships with platforms like Shopify and Tabby has contributed to its profitability and efficient growth.

    Paymob's Impact on the Egyptian E-commerce Landscape

    Paymob's success is a testament to the growing demand for digital payment solutions in Egypt and the Middle East. The company has played a pivotal role in advancing a cashless society, making it easier for SMEs to embrace e-commerce and grow their businesses.

    • Paymob's contribution to the Egyptian economy includes facilitating over 120 million transactions in 2020 and a total payment volume of $5 billion.
    • The company's continued growth and commitment to innovation are expected to further drive digital payment adoption in Egypt, bringing it closer to the levels seen in the UAE.

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