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Product cover image for Zywa: Empowering Gen Z Through Financial Inclusion

Zywa: Empowering Gen Z Through Financial Inclusion

Syeda Maseeha Qumer, Syeda Ikrama

Product #:W42182
Supplier:Ivey/AUB
Discipline:Finance, Strategy
Setting:United Arab Emirates, 2024
Details:Case (PDF) • 12 pages • 2025-01-31

Subjects:

FintechLeadership and managing peopleFinance and investingManagement

Industries:

Financial service sector

Geography:

United Arab Emirates
Your Price:$10.54

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AWARD WINNER - The Case Hub Case Writing Competition 2024


Zywa was a UAE-based fintech start-up focused on providing financial services tailored to Gen Z customers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Founded in 2021, Zywa had gained significant traction in MENA’s neobanking space by offering financial services through a gamified banking app and a prepaid card for users between the ages of 11 and 25. Within a short period of time, it had attracted over 100,000 sign-ups as of 2023. However, as Zywa continued to grow and scale its operations, cofounders Alok Kumar and Nuha Hashem would face a host of challenges such as attracting new users, raising funds, turning profitable, complying with financial regulations in different markets, and accelerating financial inclusion among youth across MENA.

Learning Objectives

This case can be used in general management, strategic management, banking, and information technology courses in post-graduate business programs and is intended to be a part of the curriculum. It is also suitable for fintech executives, banking professionals, and market consultants. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following:
  • Study the concept of a neobank and its role in driving financial inclusion.
  • Assess the state of financial inclusion of youth in the MENA region.
  • Analyze how Zywa identifies and serves a specific niche—Gen Z in the UAE and the wider MENA region.
  • Examine Zywa’s gamification approach to banking and how it disrupts traditional banking models.
  • Identify the challenges faced by a teen-focused neobank.
  • Explore strategies that Zywa can adopt in the future to promote financial independence among young people in MENA.
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Case Study: Zywa: Empowering Gen Z Through Financial Inclusion (English version) | Ivey Publishing