Zywa: Financial Freedom for Gen Z in the MENA Region

Nabarun Chakraborty & Diya Shah·Aug 14, 2026·2 min read

Zywa is a neobank for Gen Z with an app designed to support financial independence.
Its features include all-time salary access, instant bill payments, shopping with rewards, money transfers, and shopping installments.
Led by founders Alok Kumar and Nuha Hashem, Zywa aims to redefine financial freedom for teenagers and young adults.

When you turn into a teen, you want to start having your independence and having a bit of cash to call your own. There's something quite grown-up and fancy about spending your own money. But giving a teen the responsibility of managing their finances is the last thing on a parent's mind.

Meet Zywa, a payment app designed exclusively for people aged 10 to 25 in the Middle East and North Africa. Zywa empowers teens to navigate the financial world without the fuss of cash.

From spending and receiving money to enjoying rewards and connecting with friends, Zywa has brought financial independence into Gen Z's daily life.

What's Zywa all about?

As a payments app tailored for Gen Z, Zywa doesn't just offer a MasterCard card; it provides an entire ecosystem to manage money efficiently. Users can pay anywhere, split bills seamlessly, save for specific goals, earn rewards on every spend, and indulge in gaming for prizes like iPhones and PlayStation consoles.

Community first, banking second

What sets Zywa apart is not just its features but its ethos. The platform boasts the largest community of like-minded Gen Z individuals. Once you're a Zywa member, you gain access to the exclusive Discord community, benefits, and invites to special events. Zywa creates a space for learning and making friends, and offers internship opportunities.

The founders behind Zywa

Alok Kumar, a second-time founder with a background in management consulting in Saudi Arabia, and Nuha Hashem, an iOS developer with an electrical engineering background, lead Zywa. Alok's experience in financial inclusion aligns with Zywa's mission.

Nuha's journey from pursuing a Ph.D. in the US to becoming the tech leader at Zywa brings a unique perspective to the team.

How Zywa works as an e-wallet

Acting as an e-wallet, Zywa's MasterCard serves as a prepaid card without the burden of overdrafts or debt.

In partnership with NymCard Payments Services LLC, a regulated entity by the Central Bank, Zywa ensures that your money is securely stored in Mashreq Bank.

Zywa features at a glance

All-time salary access: Zywa empowers users to access their salaries whenever needed, with flexible repayment options.

Newsletter

The corridor, every morning.

Funding rounds and cross-border capital moves, one email, five minutes.

Instant bill payments: Zywa allows users to settle bills instantly through the app, without entering credit or debit card details.

Money transfers: Users can transfer money between users through the app.

Shopping installments: Users can make flexible repayments of up to 10 months through a network of stores.

How to join Zywa

1. Download Zywa: Head to the App Store or Play Store and download Zywa on your phone.

2. Sign up: Complete the signup process using your Emirates ID. It takes 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Verification: Zywa verifies the details and opens your account within a maximum of two hours.

4. Activation: Your virtual card is instantly activated and ready to be used anywhere online.

5. Physical card delivery: Your physical card will be delivered for free by SMSA within 7 to 10 working days.

If you're under 18, your parents can create an account.

With innovation, accessibility, and empowerment, the startup is challenging the norms and transforming finance for the better. The next generation will embrace their full financial potential with the help of Zywa.