KARACHI: Pakistani-origin fintech has launched an early salary access service in Saudi Arabia through a partnership with local firm QBS, the company said on Tuesday, as it expands deeper into Gulf financial services markets.
Founded in Pakistan in 2021, ABHI initially built its business around earned wage access services that allow salaried employees to withdraw part of their wages before payday through employer-linked digital platforms. The company has since expanded into payroll, SME financing and cross-border financial services, with a growing focus on Gulf labor markets and expatriate workers.
The Middle East has become a major growth market for South Asian fintech firms as governments and employers increasingly adopt digital payroll systems and financial wellness tools for workers.
“Abhi Saudi, powered by Alraedah Digital Solutions, has announced its partnership with QBS to provide employees with instant access to earned wages through its Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution,” the company said in a statement.
The initiative will allow QBS employees to withdraw a portion of their salaries at any point during the month, aimed at reducing dependence on short-term borrowing and improving financial flexibility, the statement said.
“Earned Wage Access bridges the gap between earning and access, benefiting both employers and employees,” ABHI co-founder and CEO Omair Ansari said.
“Partnering with QBS allows us to bring this transformation to a fast-evolving, digital-first workforce.”
Saudi Arabia has increasingly promoted digital financial inclusion and fintech expansion under its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda, creating opportunities for regional financial technology firms.
“Our people are at the core of QBS’s success, and this collaboration with ABHI gives them greater control over their earnings and financial well-being,” QBS CEO Faraz Ahmed Quddusi said.
“It reflects our commitment to building a modern, employee-first workplace in the Kingdom.”
ABHI says it has partnered with more than 7,000 companies and has received backing and recognition from organizations including Hub71, Endeavor, the World Economic Forum and Mastercard’s Start Path program.
The company has also expanded operations in the United Arab Emirates through partnerships focused on payroll access, remittances and financial services targeting expatriate workers from South Asia and other regions.
