NowPay, a provider of payroll-linked financial wellness tools, is expanding its operations into Saudi Arabia through a new joint venture called NowAccess.

Announced on January 27, 2026, the venture is a partnership with Tas’heel, the consumer finance unit of United International Holding Company.

Tas’heel is investing US$20 million into NowAccess, securing a 75% ownership stake, while NowPay retains the remaining 25%.

The joint venture builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2025 and boosts NowPay’s total funding to US$31 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.

Founded in 2019 by Mostafa Ashour, NowPay enables employees to access earned wages at any point during the month, enhancing financial stability and supporting employer retention.

NowAccess will use the investment to establish local engineering and operations teams, localize its products for the Saudi market, and execute a smooth market entry strategy.

The venture combines NowPay’s innovative payroll technology with Tas’heel’s established presence, shariah-compliant balance sheet, and a network of over 310 service locations across the Kingdom.

NowPay has identified growing demand in Saudi Arabia for modern payroll and HR-linked financial services and plans to announce employer partnerships as part of its rollout.

By partnering with a majority local owner with strong balance sheet capacity, NowPay minimizes licensing risks and accelerates its market entry.

Payroll-linked products also address the increasing need for employee benefits aligned with shariah principles, providing liquidity without relying on traditional credit.

For Tas’heel, the venture enriches its consumer finance offerings by integrating advanced payroll technology, reflecting a broader Gulf trend where fintech success increasingly depends on embedded services with employers and regulated financial institutions, rather than standalone applications.