About me
Walid Hassouna is the Chief Executive Officer of Valu, Egypt’s leading universal financial technology powerhouse. In his role, he leads the company’s continued growth as it expands its comprehensive suite of convenient financial solutions for customers and businesses across multiple markets and use cases.
Valu, legally known as U Consumer Finance S.A.E. and listed on the Egyptian Exchange under the ticker EGX: VALU.CA, is the first fintech company in Egypt providing consumer finance to become publicly listed on the EGX. This milestone, together with Amazon’s direct stake in the company, reflects Valu’s dynamic business model and ongoing growth journey.
Under its expanding product universe, Valu pioneered Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) solutions in the MENA region through U, offering customizable financing plans of up to 60 months across more than 9,000 stores and online platforms. Its network spans a diverse range of categories, including home appliances, electronics, home finishing, furniture, residential solar solutions, healthcare, education, travel, fashion, and more.
Valu’s ecosystem also includes investment products through Valu Invest with the AZ Valu Fund and EFG Hermes ONE, an instant cash redemption program through Sha2labaz, a high-end financing program through Ulter to facilitate the purchase of luxury big-ticket items up to EGP 60 million, and its marketplace through Shop’IT. In addition, Valu offers business-to-business solutions through Valu Business.
Further expanding its payment solutions, Valu introduced its prepaid card and co-branded credit card in collaboration with Visa, strengthening its ability to provide customers with versatile, convenient, and comprehensive payment options. As an award-winning fintech player in the MENA region, Valu embraces a progressive business approach, driven by an agile team committed to architecting innovative financial solutions that meet customers’ evolving needs.
Most recently, Valu launched its services in Jordan in May 2026 under a Specialized Finance license, following final approval from the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), offering consumers convenient financing solutions in the market.
Walid currently sits on the board of KarmSolar and previously served on the board of Bedaya for Mortgage Finance. He also previously served as Chairman of PayTabs Egypt and Vice Chairman of EFG EV Fintech.
Over more than five years, Walid’s leadership of the NBFI platform at EFG Holding saw the platform grow multiple businesses and launch innovative brands. Prior to joining EFG Holding in 2016, he built a successful 17-year career in banking. He served as General Manager and Head of Structured Finance and Investment Banking at Bank Audi, where he closed structured and project finance transactions exceeding USD 15 billion. He began his career at Misr International Bank, structuring and executing several award-winning project finance and M&A transactions in Egypt and the GCC. He also served as Head of Structured Finance and Syndication at Banque Misr, where he successfully led the bank to top the MENA region’s syndicated loans league table.
Walid holds a B.B.A. with highest honors from Cairo University, an MBA from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, and an Islamic Finance Qualification from CISI, UK.
