Mobile-first digital nano-lending platform, Daira, marked its first anniversary of operations in Pakistan with a renewed commitment to advancing financial inclusion and access to finance for the country\u2019s unbanked and underbanked populations.
\nDaira was launched by Pakistan fintech company Finleap, a part of global financial technology leader FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV) that connects millions of consumers and micro- and small-sized enterprises with over 130 financial institutions worldwide.
\nThe platform benefits from global best practices and financial models to enable Pakistan\u2019s financially excluded segments.
\nAfter securing a license and whitelisting from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Daira disbursed its first loan in October 2024.
\nTo mark this occasion, the company hosted a media roundtable at its headquarters in the federal capital on Wednesday and briefed journalists on its business model, operational performance, financial technology infrastructure and its vision for the future in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Daira addresses a long-standing gap in the financial ecosystem by serving individuals and small businesses that lack sufficient credit history or collateral to access traditional banking services.<\/p>\n
Its core customer base includes daily wage earners, small vendors, informal workers, and first-time borrowers who are typically excluded from formal credit channels.
\nIn just one year, Daira has achieved remarkable market traction and trust, surpassing one million registered users and disbursing over Rs. 1 billion in cumulative loans to more than 200,000 customers. The company has also acquired a Buy
\nNow, Pay Later license in July, enabling it to expand into consumer financing.
\nDaira attributes its success to its customer-centric approach, full compliance with Pakistan\u2019s regulatory framework, a robust technology backbone that enables seamless transactions, and strategic partnerships with local digital financial service providers that facilitate swift loan disbursements.
\n\u201cOver the past year, we have built trust by prioritizing customers\u2019 wellbeing,\u201d said Sheikh Omer Nasim, CEO of Daira. \u201cWe are proud to have empowered more than 200,000 individuals and small businesses through timely access to finance when it mattered most. This is just the beginning. We will continue to invest, innovate, and expand our services to reach even more unbanked communities across Pakistan.\u201d
\nNasim said, Pakistan is one of the fastest-growing digital economies in APAC, with strong demand for inclusive credit solutions. Daira has redefined the nano-lending experience through transparency, technology and responsible practices. \u201cIn addition to growing our lending portfolio\u201d, he said, \u201cwe are now expanding into Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions, for which we have secured a license from the SECP.\u201d
\nNasim said that to fully exploit Pakistan\u2019s inclusive credit solutions potential, Daira will undertake structured efforts to enhance financial literacy among the target segments and continue investing in compliance, governance, and secure technology infrastructure.
\n\u201cWe plan to invest in strengthening financial literacy, as well as enhancing compliance, governance and secure technology infrastructure to fully unlock Pakistan\u2019s financial inclusion potential,\u201d Omer said. \u201cOur vision is to make digital finance accessible, responsible, and empowering for everyone in Pakistan,\u201d he added.
\nIn response to a question, he said that Daira\u2019s loan recovery rate ranges between 85 to 90 percent, and loans can be disbursed almost instantly once the eligibility criteria are met.
\nHe added that while digital lending has previously faced challenges in Pakistan, Daira\u2019s model demonstrates that transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to regulatory standards can effectively address industry challenges and build long-term customer trust.
\nHe said that Daira offers quick, flexible, and secure nano-loans to individuals and small businesses through a paperless mobile application integrated with JazzCash and Easypaisa. Backed by the FinVolution Group\u2014a global fintech pioneer listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and operating across several Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries\u2014Daira brings international best practices to Pakistan\u2019s rapidly evolving digital finance sector.
\nDr Xiaodong Sun, Senior Vice President and Head of International Markets at FinVolution Group, expressed hope that Pakistan\u2019s fintech market would continue to flourish.
\nSharing the platform\u2019s achievements, he said Daira has one million registered users and has successfully disbursed 200,000 loans to date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mobile-first digital nano-lending platform, Daira, marked its first anniversary of operations in Pakistan with a renewed commitment to advancing financial inclusion and access to finance for the country\u2019s unbanked and underbanked populations. Daira was launched by Pakistan fintech company Finleap, a part of global financial technology leader FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV) that connects millions of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":508745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-508734","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n