Jahanzeb Khan, President & CEO of easypaisa digital bank was speaking at a panel discussion titled “Future of Global Finance is Local+Digital”
Digital Innovation Key to Driving Full-Spectrum Financial Inclusion, stated Jahanzeb Khan who is the President & CEO of easypaisa digital bank. With a customer base representing one in every five Pakistanis, a 31% female user base, and over 2.7 billion transactions processed in 2024, worth over PKR 9.5 trillion, approximately 9% of Pakistan’s GDP, easypaisa digital bank continues to set new benchmarks for digital banking and financial empowerment across Pakistan. Recently, easypaisa Digital Bank Posted PKR 840M as Profit and the Deposits Surged 60%.
He emphasized that disruptive digital innovation, keeping local market insights and ground realities in mind, has the potential to drive full-scale financial inclusion across Pakistan, which currently has a financial inclusion rate of over 60%.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Future of Global Finance is Local+Digital” alongside fintech and digital banking industry experts, Rob Cameron, Global Head of Acceptance Solutions at Visa, and Ahmad Habib Alhaddad, Senior Director – Product Development at STC Bank at the first edition of Money20/20 Middle East held in Riyadh from 15-17 September, Jahanzeb highlighted the vital role digital banking platforms, like easypaisa. He showed how these platforms are playing a role in driving Pakistan’s financial inclusion agenda. Interestingly, easypaisa also Revolutionized Cattle Market and Qurbani Payments for Eid-ul-Adha in 2025.
Pakistan’s First Digital Retail Bank
During the session, Jahanzeb Khan shared insights on easypaisa’s transformative journey as Pakistan’s first digital retail bank to launch commercial operations earlier this year. He emphasized the importance of local innovation and financial inclusion, elaborating on the wide-scale impact of easypaisa. It has extended financial access to millions, particularly in underserved communities. He shared it as vital for a country that still has one of the largest unbanked economies in the region.
Jahanzeb emphasized the company’s ambition to become a gateway for financial inclusion and connectivity. “One of our focus areas is to make easypaisa the primary platform for families receiving remittances. It includes small businesses conducting international transactions. Moreover, it also includes young freelancers working with clients worldwide and contributing to strengthening Pakistan’s economy. By facilitating faster, cheaper, and more accessible cross-border payments and remittances, we aim to transform the role of digital finance in Pakistan’s economy”, he added.
He further mentioned that the Government, and the State Bank of Pakistan are also working proactively. They are looking to digitize the economy under its cashless economy initiative and implement reforms in the financial space. “easypaisa will continue to spearhead this change by supporting the regulator. Moreover, it includes promoting a more interoperable, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem. This initiative supports our collective goal: a future where every Pakistani can participate in and benefit from the formal digital economy”.
Easypaisa’s Broader Strategic Priority
He added that this objective aligns with easypaisa’s broader strategic priority as Pakistan’s first digital retail bank. It is to democratize financial services and make them accessible, affordable, and convenient for all Pakistanis. Whether they are banked, underbanked, or completely excluded from the formal economy. Jahanzeb highlighted the importance of innovative use cases. These are international remittances and cross-border payments, to support freelancers and expatriates. It enables the inflow of foreign currency through formal channels. These are essential for Pakistan’s economic well-being and prosperity.
The discussion also delved into how easypaisa is leveraging Ant International’s global expertise. With local insights, it focuses to enhance service offerings for millions of Pakistanis. Panelists discussed the role of innovative technologies and solutions. These include AI-driven tools, eKYC, and unlocking mPaaS (Mobile Platform-as-a-Service) capabilities. It showcases how collaboration between established global and local players can drive significant advancements. These are focused towards financial inclusion tailored to the market’s and customers’ needs. This dialogue not only highlighted the transformational potential of digital banking. It also set the stage for future partnerships aimed at unlocking the capabilities of localized financial solutions.
Money20/20 serves as a vital platform for innovation and collaboration in the global fintech ecosystem. Launched in 2012, it brings together banks, fintechs, Big Tech companies, regulators, startups, and investors to shape the future of finance in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. The event facilitates meaningful connections and discussions, fostering advancements in financial technology and services.
