
PayLater and LuLu AI partner to shape Qatar's fintech future
PayLater, Qatar's first licensed Shari'a-compliant Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider, announces a strategic investment partnership with LuLu Alternative Investments (LuLu AI), the fintech investment arm of LuLu Financial Holdings. This collaboration marks another important milestone for Qatar's fintech sector, as it fuels PayLater's mission to create ethical, user-driven financial technology that's scalable, inclusive, and innovation-led.
As a homegrown fintech startup, PayLater has quickly emerged as a category-defining company, rethinkingcredit for the digital era. In under a year, it has onboarded over 100,000 users, partnered with 150+merchants across 200 branches, and delivered seamless, interest-free installments. The platform integrates
into point-of-sale and e-commerce systems and is fully linked to Qatar's Credit Bureau.
LuLu AI's investment is a strategic alignment driven by a shared commitment to smarter, more inclusive
everyday transactions.
'This partnership with LuLu AI marks a major business milestone for us at PayLater. It's a shared belief in
the future of responsible, flexible finance in Qatar. LuLu brings regional scale and experience, and together, at PayLater, we're committed to building solutions that empower both consumers and merchants, while reinforcing Qatar's position as a fintech hub in the region,' said Mohammed Al-Delaimi, Co-Founder and CEO of PayLater. 'Through LuLu AI, we are building more than a portfolio — we are shaping a future where financial services are intelligent, inclusive, and deeply human-centric,' said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings.
LuLu AI's investment is a strong vote of confidence in Qatar's growing digital economy and marks its firstdirect fintech investment in the country. It aligns with the firm's mission to support disruptive financial
technologies in high-growth markets.
The partnership will accelerate PayLater's roadmap by expanding features, enhancing merchant tools, anddelivering deeper personalization and real-time insights, all while maintaining its ethical, Shari'a-compliantfoundation. It also sets a model for how startups and institutional investors can shape the future of fintech in
the GCC.
Source and cover image: Press Release
Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar
Start a discussion
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
QIB named Islamic bank of the year in Middle East by The Banker
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Islamic Bank has been named Islamic Bank of the Year in the Middle East by The Banker (Financial Times Group) at The Islamic Banking Awards 2025. The recognition reflects QIB's leadership in Islamic finance, its continued investment in innovation, and its focus on delivering secure, Shari'a-compliant financial solutions across the region. The award comes as QIB continues to strengthen its position as one of the most efficient and digitally advanced Islamic banks in the region. In the first quarter of 2025, QIB reported a net profit of QAR 985 million, a 3.1% increase over the same period last year. Total assets grew to QAR 212 billion, while the Bank maintained a cost-to-income ratio of 16.6%, the best in the Qatari banking sector. QIB also continued to demonstrate prudent risk management, with a non-performing financing assets ratio of 1.76% and a financing-to-deposit ratio well within regulatory limits. QIB's financial strength continues to be recognized by international rating agencies. In 2024, Fitch Ratings affirmed QIB's rating at 'A' with a stable outlook, Moody's affirmed the Bank's long-term deposit ratings at 'A1' with a stable outlook, and Capital Intelligence Ratings affirmed the Bank's long-term rating at 'AA-' with a stable outlook. Over the past years, the Bank introduced several first-to-market innovations that have simplified banking for customers. Key milestones include real-time digital onboarding for new customers, and instant personal financing through the QIB Mobile App, which is now offering over 300 features and a refined user experience. The Bank has introduced new innovations beyond banking including the QIB Marketplace providing a diverse range of products and including a section for local SMEs to display & sell products. QIB has also introduced the first Auto Marketplace in Qatar, also within its mobile app, enabling customers to browse, book a test drive, select and finance vehicles online. Bassel Gamal, QIB Group CEO, said: 'We are pleased to be named Islamic Bank of the Year in the Middle East by The Banker. On this occasion, I would like to extend my appreciation to QIB's Board of Directors, the entire QIB team and our customers for their trust and support.'


Qatar Tribune
21-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
LuLu AI invests in PayLater Qatar
Tribune News Network Doha LuLu AI, the investment arm of LuLu Financial Holdings, has announced a strategic investment in PayLater Qatar, one of the first licensed Qatari providers of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and embedded finance solutions. This investment marks LuLu AI's first into the Qatari financial ecosystem and aligns with its broader vision of building a connected network of next-generation financial service providers across emerging markets. PayLater is a Qatar-based fintech innovator offering Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions designed to make everyday purchases more accessible, affordable, and empowering. The company recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first recipient of a BNPL license from the Qatar Central Bank. 'LuLu AI is more than just an investment portfolio — we are shaping a future where financial services are intelligent, inclusive, and deeply human-centric,' said LuLu Financial Holdings MD Adeeb Ahamed. 'Every investment we make is a step toward empowering individuals and businesses with tools that simplify life and unlock opportunity and inclusivity. PayLater embodies this ethos, and we are pleased to be part of their mission to drive accessible and responsible financial solutions,' he said. 'This partnership with LuLu AI marks a major business milestone for us at PayLater. It's a shared belief in the future of responsible, flexible finance in Qatar,' said PayLater Co-Founder & Managing Director Mohammed Al Delaimi. 'LuLu AI brings regional scale and experience, and together, at PayLater, we're committed to building solutions that empower both consumers and merchants, while reinforcing Qatar's position as a fintech hub in the region,' he said. LuLu Alternative Investments was established to identify and back high-impact ventures that are solving real-world challenges in financial access, liquidity, compliance, and consumer experience. Its core thesis lies in leveraging capital to unlock capability — ensuring that startups have the runway to scale, the guidance to navigate regulatory landscapes, and the opportunity to collaborate across a trusted global network. By supporting firms like PayLater, LuLu AI is championing an inclusive and innovation-first approach to the digital economy.

ILoveQatar.net
21-05-2025
- ILoveQatar.net
PayLater and LuLu AI partner to shape Qatar's fintech future
PayLater, Qatar's first licensed Shari'a-compliant Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider, announces a strategic investment partnership with LuLu Alternative Investments (LuLu AI), the fintech investment arm of LuLu Financial Holdings. This collaboration marks another important milestone for Qatar's fintech sector, as it fuels PayLater's mission to create ethical, user-driven financial technology that's scalable, inclusive, and innovation-led. As a homegrown fintech startup, PayLater has quickly emerged as a category-defining company, rethinkingcredit for the digital era. In under a year, it has onboarded over 100,000 users, partnered with 150+merchants across 200 branches, and delivered seamless, interest-free installments. The platform integrates into point-of-sale and e-commerce systems and is fully linked to Qatar's Credit Bureau. LuLu AI's investment is a strategic alignment driven by a shared commitment to smarter, more inclusive everyday transactions. 'This partnership with LuLu AI marks a major business milestone for us at PayLater. It's a shared belief in the future of responsible, flexible finance in Qatar. LuLu brings regional scale and experience, and together, at PayLater, we're committed to building solutions that empower both consumers and merchants, while reinforcing Qatar's position as a fintech hub in the region,' said Mohammed Al-Delaimi, Co-Founder and CEO of PayLater. 'Through LuLu AI, we are building more than a portfolio — we are shaping a future where financial services are intelligent, inclusive, and deeply human-centric,' said Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of LuLu Financial Holdings. LuLu AI's investment is a strong vote of confidence in Qatar's growing digital economy and marks its firstdirect fintech investment in the country. It aligns with the firm's mission to support disruptive financial technologies in high-growth markets. The partnership will accelerate PayLater's roadmap by expanding features, enhancing merchant tools, anddelivering deeper personalization and real-time insights, all while maintaining its ethical, Shari'a-compliantfoundation. It also sets a model for how startups and institutional investors can shape the future of fintech in the GCC. Source and cover image: Press Release Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar Start a discussion