In a region where financial exclusion remains a persistent challenge, Muhammad Ahsan Tahir is working to bridge the gap between ethical finance and digital innovation. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Walee Group, a multi-vertical technology company operating across MENAPT (Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey), Tahir has emerged as a key figure at the intersection of fintech and media strategy.
Among his most notable contributions is the development of Hakeem, Pakistan’s first Islamic nano-finance product. Introduced under the banner of Walee Financial Services, Hakeem aims to provide riba-free (interest-free) micro-loans to underserved populations. The platform adheres to Islamic financial principles while leveraging mobile technology to increase access among individuals who are typically outside the scope of traditional banking systems.
The idea for Hakeem was rooted in Tahir’s broader vision to democratize financial services while maintaining religious and ethical integrity. In regions where conventional interest-based loans are culturally or religiously avoided, Islamic fintech solutions have the potential to dramatically shift the financial landscape. Hakeem represents a step toward inclusive finance that respects local values while embracing modern delivery systems.
The initiative has gained international recognition. In 2024, Hakeem was awarded the Emerging FinTech Award at the Singapore FinTech Festival, a global acknowledgment of its innovative model and social impact. The product’s launch was also covered by domestic financial publications in Pakistan, highlighting its role in expanding ethical financial access.
But Hakeem is just one part of a larger ecosystem Tahir has helped build. Under his leadership, Walee Group has grown into a diversified platform that includes influencer marketing, media rights management, content monetization, and streaming infrastructure. The company’s footprint now spans several countries including Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and South Africa.
Tahir’s background in software engineering, earned at NUST, one of Pakistan’s premier universities, laid the foundation for his data-driven approach to problem-solving. He began his career as a freelance developer and later took on roles in companies like Alcatel-Lucent, Ovex Technologies, and Techlets before co-founding Walee.
Despite encountering multiple failed startups in his early career, Tahir describes those experiences as fundamental to his growth. He has often emphasized resilience and iteration as cornerstones of his leadership philosophy. That mindset has guided Walee’s expansion and its pivot into sectors like Islamic finance, where product design must meet both regulatory and cultural criteria.
Today, Walee Financial Services through Hakeem continues to pilot initiatives aimed at delivering micro-finance to rural and underbanked communities. With smartphone penetration rising and fintech adoption accelerating across MENAPT, Tahir sees this as a critical moment to scale impact. In public interviews, he has framed Islamic fintech not only as a commercial opportunity but as a social responsibility.
Beyond his operational roles, Tahir is also an active voice in regional digital policy discussions. He has participated in workshops and advisory panels on ethical digital infrastructure and disinformation resilience. His influence extends into media-tech, where Walee has taken on projects such as operating SnackVideo in Pakistan and building a record-breaking 75-million-user streaming network for the Pakistan Super League in 2025.
While much of his work spans sectors, what unites Tahir’s initiatives is a clear thematic goal: to build systems that align technological efficiency with ethical impact. Whether designing fintech products or managing digital platforms, his approach emphasizes accessibility, cultural context, and narrative integrity.
As Hakeem scales and Walee continues its international expansion, Muhammad Ahsan Tahir stands at the forefront of a new kind of fintech, one where tradition and innovation aren’t at odds but are complementary forces shaping the financial future of the MENAPT region.
