When Being a Personal Brand Supersedes Being a Person
January 24, 2026
Raqami Islamic Digital Bank (RIDB) plans to launch commercial operations in Pakistan in February 2026 backed by a $100 million investment plan over the next five years to build a fully digital Shariah-compliant bank. The bank aims to attract at least one million customers with a focus on SMEs, freelancers and underserved segments
Read more: Raqami to Launch Pakistan’s First Shariah-Compliant Digital Bank
Karachi-based Raqami Islamic Digital Bank has completed its pilot phase and will start full-scale digital banking operations next month, targeting rapid adoption among small- and medium-sized enterprises and digitally engaged individuals. Backed by the Kuwait Investment Authority’s sovereign wealth fund, the bank intends to deploy most of the planned $100 million in technology, talent, and information security infrastructure to enable scalable, secure digital services.
CEO Umair Aijaz, FCCA, ACA said the bank sees strong potential in Pakistan’s digital finance space, particularly for SME lending where demand for accessible, Shariah-compliant products is growing. Raqami has also partnered with infrastructure providers like Euronet Pakistan to support payments, cards, and fraud management, and established a Shariah Board to ensure compliance across all operations.
The launch marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital banking evolution, signalling rising investor confidence and the potential for broader financial inclusion through tech-first, Shariah-aligned services.
