Across the Middle East, financial accessibility has grown at an unprecedented pace. Millions of people now rely on mobile apps to pay bills, transfer funds, and track their spending with ease. In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, mobile penetration has surpassed 95 percent, enabling widespread access to digital banking and online payment platforms. This shift has significantly reduced dependence on physical bank branches. In Egypt, financial inclusion has more than doubled since 2016, marking one of the region’s most notable transformations.
The surge in financial access has been powered by mobile adoption, which in many markets now exceeds 100 percent. People across different income levels can open bank accounts, make transactions, and engage with financial services on their own terms. Yet, despite this progress, full participation remains elusive for many.
While access has improved, consistent usage lags. Many account holders rarely use their accounts to save, borrow, or plan for the future. The reasons vary by market: limited infrastructure in rural areas, low financial literacy, digital skill gaps, and high service fees all play a role. For some groups particularly women and low-income workers — cultural and structural barriers further restrict engagement. The result is a system that appears open but is not yet fully inclusive in practice.
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