ABHI secures Shariah certification for earned-wage access product in Saudi Arabia

ABHI, a fintech founded in Pakistan, has obtained Shariah approval for its main earned-wage access offering in Saudi Arabia, according to Arab News. The sign-off came from the Shariah Committee of Badiha Company, a Saudi firm. The service lets workers draw on wages already earned before payday, as an alternative to a conventional short-term loan.

The company says the approval shows its early wage access solution follows Shariah principles, and that it aims to pair technology and accessibility with responsible financial practices. The certification arrives as ABHI widens its footprint in the Kingdom, where it entered in 2024 via a tie-up with Alraedah Digital Solutions. Since then it has signed earned-wage deals with several Saudi employers, including Qlub, QBS, Alruqee Group, Squadio, Syarah, TAM Aerospace and NOX Group, with the pace picking up in 2026.

Founded in 2021, ABHI began with earned-wage access and has since moved into payroll processing, payroll financing and SME financing. Its footprint covers Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It says its user base exceeds one million, and more than 7,000 businesses rely on it across the region. In Pakistan, the firm and TPL Corp jointly took a controlling interest in FINCA Microfinance Bank Pakistan, now ABHI Microfinance Bank.