Partech and Sawari Ventures have invested $4m in a Series A investment round in Egyptian fintech platform MoneyFellows as it works towards helping millions of new users reach their financial goals.

“We are proud to have MoneyFellows join Partech’s investment portfolio to support the company to scale and expand. The team is fantastic and the product sophistication is unique, making money circles attractive for millennials and their grandparents,” Cyril Collon, General Partner at Partech, said.

“The impact of MoneyFellows on financial inclusion is already massive in Egypt, as the solution offers convenient secured lending and saving schemes to consumers by digitizing a traditional savings model.”

MoneyFellows is a financial enabler that digitizes money circles or ROSCA (known as gam’eyas in the Arab world, chit funds in India, committee in Pakistan, Tandas in Mexico, and tontine in West and Central Africa).

This allows users to more effectively manage and fulfill their financial needs. The company is a first-mover in supporting the financial inclusion and digital transformation mandate of the Egyptian government and Central Bank of Egypt. 

MoneyFellows has more than 150,000 active users that are verified by a user assessment algorithm.

Hany Al Sonbaty, Managing Partner at Sawari Ventures, said: "MoneyFellows is one of the most promising fintech companies to come out of the region; their fusion of technology and existing ROSCA culture solves both the problem of financial inclusion and helps people to better plan their personal finances.”

“In enabling people to save beyond their immediate circles, they are not only promoting a culture of saving, but also facilitating a gateway for the further introduction of financial services to larger numbers of people as they become more financially aware. We are thrilled to be investing in the company and joining them on this exciting journey."

The investment will be used to expand the company’s operations nationwide in Egypt as well as further across Africa.

The company also plans to launch a slew of new products in the coming months. 

“Being backed by Partech and Sawari Ventures - two top investment firms, helps us reap global, as well as local know-how, best practices and support,” Ahmed Wadi, founder and CEO of MoneyFellows, said.

“Partech’s support from their African fund will help us expand into other countries in the continent with hands-on global expertise. While Sawari Ventures have been a cornerstone of Moneyfellows’ journey for the past three years; from day one they have been with us, and bring to the table a cachet of knowledge, alongside a vast network of relationships with key corporates and financial institutions, making them our optimal local partner.”