U.S.-based fintech startup Compound is gearing up to launch its Save Now, Buy Later (SNBL) platform in the MENA region.
Set to debut in Q4 2025, this ethical, debt-free payment model is arriving at a time of growing financial consciousness.
Introducing Save Now, Buy Later
Unlike traditional BNPL models, Compound’s SNBL approach helps users save first, then buy—without debt, fees, or interest traps.
Customers select a product and follow an automated savings plan, typically over 3 to 12 months, then receive the item post-payment.
Instead of interest, retailers contribute cashback, discounts, or bonus rewards, making the experience beneficial for both customers and merchants.
SNBL encourages people to delay gratification, reinforcing better money habits and minimizing impulsive, credit-driven spending.
Why Compound Is Eyeing MENA
The decision to enter MENA stems from rising demand for responsible, flexible, and Sharia-compliant financial solutions.
CEO Hassan Farooq, a former Dubai banking executive, explained that MENA’s young, mobile-first population prefers financial clarity.
“These users want to save smarter—not borrow faster,” he shared. “SNBL fits local values around planning, family, and financial peace.”
Over 60% of MENA’s population is under 30, with high mobile penetration but increasing wariness toward debt-based financing options.
Focused Markets and Features
The initial rollout will begin in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, tapping into their e-commerce growth and fintech-friendly environments.
Compound plans to offer Arabic-language support, Sharia-compliant features, and seamless integration with local digital wallets and neobanks.
Their system will operate within prepaid card or wallet rails, ensuring accessibility for the underbanked and gig economy workers.
Users will also enjoy tools like personalized savings goals, budget app integrations, and community saving challenges to stay motivated.
Compound’s Smart Ecosystem
To prepare for launch, Compound has secured partnerships with three major regional e-commerce platforms and a Saudi BNPL aggregator.
The company also joined a UAE-based fintech accelerator to refine localization and accelerate go-to-market efforts.
In addition, a dedicated compliance team ensures SNBL products align with Islamic finance principles and central bank regulations.
This structure builds trust while setting a new benchmark for fintech inclusion in MENA’s complex financial landscape.
Changing the Fintech Conversation
As BNPL models face global scrutiny for encouraging overspending, SNBL offers a more mindful, future-focused alternative.
Compound’s platform isn’t about selling dreams—it’s about building resilience and promoting intentional consumption habits.
CEO Farooq stated, “We’re here to help people plan better, not spend faster. That’s what makes SNBL truly different.”
In a region shifting toward digital self-discipline, SNBL feels timely, especially as youth demand tools that empower, not pressure.
What’s Next for Compound?
The SNBL app enters private beta in Dubai and Riyadh by October 2025, with a regional expansion expected in early 2026.
A French-Arabic version is also in development for North African markets, where language accessibility is key for adoption.
Future features may include group savings pots, wedding goal plans, and micro-investments linked to savings milestones.
If successful, Compound could redefine digital finance in MENA by proving fintech can be both ethical and aspirational.
Ultimately, Save Now, Buy Later empowers users to spend responsibly—a mission that resonates deeply across cultures and age groups.
By championing financial patience over pressure, SNBL may become a movement, not just a model, for the MENA region.