Dubai – July 2025 — Fintech startup Flow48, based in the United Arab Emirates, has announced a successful $69 million Series A funding round, aiming to transform how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access capital across emerging markets. The round includes both equity and debt, signaling growing investor confidence in alternative financing models tailored to underserved business sectors.

The funding will enable Flow48 to expand operations beyond its current hubs in the UAE and South Africa, with a strategic entry into Saudi Arabia planned by the end of the year.

Solving a Persistent Credit Gap for SMEs

SMEs across the Middle East and Africa often face structural barriers in securing loans from traditional banks, including stringent collateral requirements, long approval cycles, and limited risk visibility. Flow48 addresses this by offering a revenue-based financing platform that provides working capital based on a company’s real-time sales and cash flow data.

Using a proprietary underwriting system powered by automation and analytics, Flow48 can evaluate creditworthiness within 48 hours — without the need for physical assets as security. Businesses can access financing lines of varying sizes, adapted to their actual revenue profile, rather than a fixed repayment model.

Strategic Growth Across High-Potential Markets

Flow48 plans to deploy a significant portion of the new capital toward deepening its footprint in South Africa, where it has been piloting its financing model with growing success. The expansion into Saudi Arabia, one of the region’s largest SME ecosystems, will mark a key milestone in the company’s geographic rollout.

Other use cases for the capital include:

  • Enhancing its lending technology stack, including further automation of risk scoring and repayment tracking

  • Integrating with regional payment systems, accounting software, and banking APIs to streamline onboarding

  • Recruiting local teams in new markets to support regulatory compliance and client acquisition

By blending debt capital for lending and equity for platform development, Flow48 is balancing liquidity with long-term scalability.

Why the Model Works

Flow48’s approach reflects a broader shift in SME financing across emerging economies, where traditional banks often fall short. The platform focuses on:

  • Speed and simplicity: Loan approvals within 48 hours, with minimal paperwork

  • Cash flow-aligned repayments: Flexible structures reduce the repayment burden during slower business periods

  • Real-time financial visibility: Integrations with POS and ERP systems give lenders a live snapshot of business performance

This model helps reduce default risk while giving SMEs the breathing room to invest in inventory, hiring, or expansion.

Investor Momentum Reflects Fintech Shift

The $69 million raise comes at a time when fintech investment in the Middle East and Africa is accelerating. Investors increasingly favor platforms that solve tangible pain points — especially those tied to financial inclusion and SME enablement. Flow48’s combination of fast underwriting, data-driven risk assessment, and cross-border scalability makes it a standout in the lending segment.

The startup had previously secured early-stage funding in 2023 and used that capital to establish strong operational foundations in the UAE. This latest round confirms its readiness for regional expansion and larger transaction volumes.

The Road Ahead

Flow48 is targeting high-growth emerging markets where SMEs are key to GDP and employment, yet remain underfinanced. By providing capital that aligns with business realities — rather than outdated bank requirements — it’s positioning itself as a vital liquidity partner for the region’s entrepreneurial economy.

With this new funding, Flow48 is set to scale not just its platform, but its impact — potentially unlocking billions in business productivity across sectors like retail, logistics, and services.

Bottom Line: Flow48’s Series A marks a defining moment for SME fintech in the Middle East and Africa. With a smart, data-first approach and strong investor backing, the startup is reshaping how small businesses access working capital — faster, smarter, and more fairly.