Areeba

About Areeba

Areeba is a financial technology company established in 2017 and headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon. Areeba was founded by its current CEO, Maher Mikati, through M1 Financial Technologies (a subsidiary of M1 Group), which acquired Bank Audi's Electronic Payments and Cards Services (EPCS) business. Mikati, an AUB graduate with an MBA from INSEAD, had a diverse career including roles at Investcom Holding and within the M1 Group, which provided a strong foundation for leading Areeba's charge in the fintech space.

The company provides a comprehensive suite of payment solutions and processing services tailored for banks, financial institutions, merchants, governments, and individuals. Its business model revolves around enabling digital payments through a robust infrastructure that supports both issuing and acquiring services. This includes card management for various card types, point-of-sale (POS) systems for in-store transactions, and e-commerce payment gateways for online and in-app purchases. Areeba serves a diverse client base across the Middle East and Africa, with a presence in countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Egypt.

Areeba's core product is a full-service payment platform that facilitates a wide array of payment methods, including contact and contactless cards, QR code payments, and digital wallet transactions. Key features include tokenization for enhanced security, detailed online reporting and administration, fraud and risk management, and clearing and settlement services. The company has also developed solutions like 'Zaky,' a digital wallet for money transfers and bill payments, in partnership with Mastercard. By offering a cloud-native, scalable system, Areeba enables clients, from SMEs to large enterprises, to transition to a cashless ecosystem.