Walee Financial Services is proud to announce that its flagship Islamic digital nano-financing platform, Hakeem, has been awarded the Sustainable & Inclusive Payments Excellence Award at the APAC Payments Excellence Awards 2025, hosted by the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) in Hong Kong. The EPAA Awards are among the most prestigious recognitions in the Asia-Pacific payments industry, celebrating organizations that are driving inclusion, innovation, and sustainability in the digital finance ecosystem. Recognized Among Global Leaders In the Sustainable & Inclusive Payments Innovation category, Hakeem was recognized alongside global institutions including Mastercard, RCBC, and PayNet, marking a proud moment for Pakistan’s fintech sector. Other categories featured world-leading names such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, Thunes, and Commonwealth Bank, underscoring the Awards’ stature as a benchmark for global excellence. This milestone follows Hakeem’s international recognition as Emerging FinTech of the Year at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, presented by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, further solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in ethical digital finance. Championing Faith-Aligned Inclusion At its core, Hakeem was built to make finance fair, faith-driven, and accessible for all. It stands as Pakistan’s first fully Shariah-certified Islamic digital nano-finance platform, designed to meet the financial needs of underserved communities who often remain excluded from conventional banking systems. Using a 100% digital model, Hakeem enables users to complete e-KYC, undergo AI-driven credit scoring, and access ethical nano-financing in minutes, no paperwork, no physical branches, and no collateral required. This model ensures accessibility across Pakistan’s rural and urban segments alike, especially for women and low-income earners. “Financial inclusion is not just about access to funds, it’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunity where it was denied,” said Khushba Hayat, Partner, Business Development at Walee Financial Services. “At Hakeem, every transaction tells a human story, of a woman restarting her business, a labourer bridging a tough month, or a teacher paying her parent’s medical bills. This award validates our belief that ethical finance can be both inclusive and scalable.” A Vision Rooted in Empathy Reflecting on this recognition, Noshad Minhas, CEO of Walee Financial Services, shared: “I have spent over two decades working in banks and financial institutions. And what I saw was that finance was built for a select few, the same people in the same circles. The vast majority were neglected, left out, or made to feel that banking wasn’t for them.” “At Hakeem, we wanted to change that. To build a solution that is truly equal, where everyone has access, not just the privileged. By using advanced technology, we are making finance simple, safe, and accessible, a system where no one feels intimidated by big banks or formal suits, but instead feels served, respected, and empowered, all from the comfort of their home. This is why Hakeem exists: to make ethical finance a reality for every community,” he added. Looking Ahead With full Shariah certification achieved, Hakeem is now preparing to expand its suite of ethical financial solutions, including MSME financing, remittance-linked financing, women-focused financial products, and Takaful (Islamic insurance) distribution. These upcoming innovations are designed to empower individuals, strengthen small enterprises, and enable long-term, faith-aligned financial inclusion across Pakistan.