Tarabut Gateway hires new CFO to support expansion in MENA

Open Banking platform Tarabut Gateway has appointed Tariq Sanad as chief financial officer, furthering strengthening its leadership team.

Sanad joins from sustainable agribusiness Pure Harvest Smart Farms, where he served as chief financial officer since 2020.

His career has spanned nine years in corporate finance roles at multinational consumer goods company Procter & Gamble, where he managed consumer brands such as Gillette and Pantene.

Tariq Sanad, Tarabut Gateway’s new CFO

Tariq has also worked at Careem, the first unicorn and super-app in the MENA region, where he served as the chief marketing officer and vice president of finance, starting in 2015.

In his new role, Sanad’s focus will be on further institutionalising Tarabut Gateway, following its recent $32 million Series A fundraise, and supporting its expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it became one of the first fintechs to receive an Open Banking Certification from SAMA, Saudi’s Central Bank.

Abdulla Almoayed, founder and chief executive officer at Tarabut Gateway, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Tariq to our team at Tarabut Gateway as we universalise Open Banking across the MENA region.

“His exceptional track record and leadership as a finance and marketing leader gives him deep expertise and insight into the intricacies of a growing business operation. Tariq joins as we rapidly expand operations region-wide, further enriching our team of world-class talent.”

Sanad added: “There is nothing quite like the challenges of developing a start-up’s original vision into a success story that benefits consumers, businesses, and the wider society.

“Open Banking is one of the most promising sectors in the region, brimming with opportunities, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I eagerly anticipate transforming this incredible start-up, which originated from my home country of Bahrain, into another success story for the region.”