“We Didn’t Grow Up Knowing This About Money”

In this episode of “Money Moves,” host Dania Alshowaikh sits down with Nadine Mezher, co-founder and CEO of Sarwa, for an in-depth conversation about transforming the financial landscape in the MENA region. Nadine unpacks the personal stories and motivations that led her and her co-founders to launch Sarwa, challenging the long-held belief that “you need wealth to create wealth.” She discusses how Sarwa’s mission has always been to democratize investing, making wealth management accessible and affordable for everyone, not just the privileged few.

The episode explores the unique cultural and regulatory challenges of launching a fintech startup in a region where money is often a taboo topic. Nadine shares how Sarwa built trust through grassroots community events, workshops, and educational content, helping people see that investing goes beyond traditional assets like real estate and gold. She details the early days of navigating regulatory hurdles, working closely with government accelerators to secure the first innovation testing license for their category, and the importance of building lasting relationships with investors and the community.

As one of the few women leading a fintech company in the region, Nadine also reflects on her experiences navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with it. She discusses the importance of representation and shares actionable advice for getting more women involved in the field, from mentorship to creating supportive networks and educational opportunities.

The conversation also delves into Sarwa’s commitment to financial inclusion and education. Nadine explains how the company provided free workshops, webinars, and online resources to empower people to take control of their finances, from understanding basic budgeting to making informed investment decisions. She highlights the broader impact of financial literacy on individual lives and the region’s economic future, emphasizing the need to start these conversations early, even at the school level.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, fintech enthusiast, or simply looking to improve your financial knowledge, this episode offers a wealth of insights, practical advice and inspiration from one of the region’s most influential voices in finance