Abdulla Almoayed has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the Gulf’s fintech sector. As founder and CEO of Tarabut Gateway, he has introduced open banking to the Middle East and built the first licensed platform dedicated to it. His efforts have created a bridge between traditional financial institutions and emerging fintech companies, giving consumers greater control over their financial data while encouraging innovation across Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Early Life and Education
Abdulla was born into the Almoayed family of Bahrain, a household long associated with business and enterprise. Growing up in an environment shaped by commerce gave him an early understanding of leadership and the importance of building institutions. Determined to strengthen his knowledge of global markets, he pursued higher education in the United Kingdom. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Honours from the University of Westminster, followed by a Master of Business Administration from London Business School. His international education broadened his understanding of finance and strategy and exposed him to ideas that would later shape his work in financial technology.
Career in Finance and Investment
Before founding his own ventures, Abdulla built a career of more than 15 years in finance and investment. He worked across Bahrain and the UAE, focusing on sectors such as real estate, private equity, and venture capital. These roles provided him with a close look at how regional banks operated and the challenges they faced in modernizing services. One persistent issue he observed was the limited ability of banks to share data securely with external platforms. This gap restricted innovation and left customers without access to many useful tools available in other parts of the world.
In 2016, Abdulla launched Almoayed Technologies, a Bahrain-based company focused on digital infrastructure and investment. The firm has been active in areas such as fintech, education, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Through this venture, Abdulla gained practical experience in building technology solutions that could support digital transformation across the region.
Founding Tarabut Gateway
The idea for Tarabut Gateway came from Abdulla’s conviction that open banking could transform the financial services sector in the Middle East. He founded the company in 2018, making it the first regulated open banking platform in the region. Tarabut Gateway was the first fintech to graduate from the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox, a milestone that gave the company credibility and a foundation for growth.
The company name, Tarabut, which means “link” in Arabic, reflects its purpose of creating secure connections between banks and fintech providers. By developing a universal API, Tarabut enables financial institutions to share data safely, opening the door for new products such as instant lending, seamless payments, and improved personal finance management. Abdulla worked directly with regulators to ensure that Tarabut’s framework was compliant, secure, and trusted by both institutions and customers.
Growth and Expansion
Under Abdulla’s leadership, Tarabut has expanded well beyond Bahrain. The company now operates in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. It has established partnerships with leading banks, allowing millions of customers to benefit from open banking solutions.
Tarabut’s growth has been supported by significant investor backing. In 2021, the company raised $12 million in a pre-Series A round led by Tiger Global. In 2023, it closed a $32 million Series A round led by Pinnacle Capital, with participation from Aljazira Capital, Visa, and other global investors. This funding has been directed particularly at strengthening operations in Saudi Arabia, a market central to open banking adoption in the region.
The company’s partnerships highlight its role in driving practical innovation. A collaboration with Saudi National Bank and Geidea launched an SME financing platform integrated into point-of-sale systems, giving small businesses faster and easier access to credit. This project demonstrated the tangible benefits of open banking for economic development and business growth.
Recognition and Influence
Abdulla’s leadership has attracted widespread recognition. Tarabut Gateway has been featured in Forbes Middle East as one of the top fintech companies in the region. Abdulla himself has been honored with awards such as the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Award for his work in advancing open banking and supporting digital transformation. His voice is regularly heard at major industry events and in leading business publications, where he emphasizes the importance of consumer trust, regulatory engagement, and innovation.
Leadership and Vision
As chief executive, Abdulla is deeply involved in Tarabut’s direction. He is known for building strong teams, forging partnerships with regulators and industry players, and focusing on long-term goals. His vision is rooted in the idea that open banking is not just a technical system but a way to empower consumers and broaden financial inclusion. He often describes open banking as a step toward making financial services as accessible and integrated into daily life as online shopping.
Abdulla continues to stress that the future of finance depends on secure data-sharing and consumer empowerment. By promoting collaboration between banks and fintechs, he seeks to create an ecosystem where innovation thrives and customers gain access to better services.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, Abdulla is focused on consolidating Tarabut’s position in Saudi Arabia while maintaining growth in Bahrain and the UAE. With new regulations being introduced and demand for digital financial services increasing, he sees open banking as central to the region’s financial evolution.
His journey from investment banking to fintech leadership reflects both personal determination and a broader shift in how finance is being reshaped in the Middle East. Through Tarabut Gateway, Abdulla Almoayed has created a successful company and established the foundation for a more open, innovative, and inclusive financial system in the region.
