Mounir Nakhla’s MNT-Halan rolls out Egypt’s first digital secured loan

MNT-Halan, Egypt’s first fintech unicorn founded by entrepreneur Mounir Nakhla, has rolled out the country’s first fully digital secured loan product offered by a non-bank financial institution. The new service, announced Friday, Sept. 26, lets customers borrow against their investments directly through the Halan app.

Users can unlock as much as 80 percent of their portfolio value, with borrowing capped at EGP500,000 (about $10,400). Their holdings remain untouched as collateral, allowing them to continue earning returns while securing access to cash. “People don’t always want to liquidate their savings when they face sudden expenses,” Nakhla said in a statement. “This launch gives them another option—quick access to funds without giving up long-term gains.”

Building on a growing digital platform

The service relies on a fully digital process, including electronic identification (eKYC) and instant activation of a credit limit on the Halan card. The company said the approach is designed to make borrowing easier for customers who might otherwise face delays with traditional banks. 

This offering adds to MNT-Halan’s portfolio of products regulated by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). They include gold-backed funds, equity funds, Sharia-compliant products, and a savings feature known as Halan Savings. 

Since its founding in 2018, with earlier roots going back to 2010, MNT-Halan has grown into a broad fintech ecosystem. In early 2023, the firm became the country’s first fintech unicorn after raising $400 million, pushing its valuation above $1 billion. Currently serving more than 8 million customers, with 2 million active each quarter.

Expanding beyond Egypt 

The Cairo-based company is also extending its reach abroad. Earlier this year, MNT-Halan announced a $10 million investment to launch operations in Pakistan, where it plans to open 100 branches and scale its digital lending platform by the end of 2025. The company said its goal is to bring more people into the financial system, especially in underserved communities. 

Closer to home, MNT-Halan raised EGP 2.5 billion ($52 million) in corporate bonds in May to strengthen its loan book and support growth in Egypt and beyond. By combining lending, prepaid cards, e-wallets, e-commerce financing, and gold investments, MNT-Halan has positioned itself as one of the top players in Egypt’s fast-changing financial services market.