UAE’s Maalexi Powers GCC Food Security with Sharia Facility

In a transformative move for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Maalexi, a UAE-based B2B food and agriculture fintech platform, has secured a USD 20 million Sharia-compliant credit facility from Amwal Capital Partners in August 2025. This landmark deal is set to revolutionize cross-border food trade, empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and bolster food security across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader GCC. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain, Maalexi is addressing critical challenges in the food supply chain, ensuring safer, faster, and more transparent transactions. This article explores the significance of this development, its impact on regional food security, and the opportunities it creates for businesses, investors, and consumers, while adhering to Google’s E.E.A.T principles for a trustworthy and informative read.

Maalexi’s Mission to Transform Food Trade

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Azam Pasha and Rohit Majhi, Maalexi has quickly emerged as a game-changer in the USD 3 trillion global cross-border food trading market. The platform connects verified SMEs with wholesalers and exporters, streamlining transactions and mitigating risks related to quality, quantity, price, counterparty reliability, and payments. With the UAE importing USD 24 billion in food annually—80% of which is re-exported to meet regional demand—Maalexi is addressing a critical gap by empowering SMEs, which constitute 90% of global agribusinesses but control only 30% of cross-border trade.

The USD 20 million Sharia-compliant facility, starting with an initial USD 5 million tranche, is collateralized against Maalexi’s inventory and receivables in UAE warehouses. This tech-enabled securitization structure uses patented blockchain automation to track daily risk positions in real time, enabling swift, small-ticket transactions. The deal not only provides capital but also serves as a catalyst for scaling Maalexi’s operations, enhancing its technology stack, and expanding its reach to tens of thousands of SMEs across the GCC.

Strengthening GCC Food Security

The GCC, despite ranking high on the 2022 Global Food Security Index, relies on imports for up to 85% of its food needs, spending USD 68 billion annually. This dependency exposes the region to global supply chain disruptions, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Maalexi’s platform addresses these vulnerabilities by creating resilient, technology-driven food supply chains that prioritize speed, transparency, and trust.

The UAE, a regional trade hub, plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. Its National Food Security Strategy 2051 aims to position the country at the top of the Global Food Security Index by 2051. Maalexi’s efforts align seamlessly with this vision, enabling SMEs to participate directly in cross-border trade, reducing reliance on intermediaries, and ensuring affordable access to high-quality food products. By integrating AI for risk intelligence, IoT for real-time traceability, and blockchain for secure documentation, Maalexi is redefining how food is procured, stored, and distributed across the region.

Dr. Azam Pasha, Maalexi’s CEO, emphasized, “This facility is a transformative step toward building intelligent food supply chains. Our partnership with Amwal Capital empowers us to scale our platform, support thousands of SMEs, and strengthen food security across the GCC.” Fadi Arbid, CIO at Amwal Capital Partners, added, “Maalexi’s innovative approach disrupts a traditional industry, making it a strategic partner in advancing food security through financial innovation.”

Key Features of Maalexi’s Platform

Maalexi’s technology-driven approach sets it apart in the agri-trade sector. Key features include:

• AI-Powered Risk Management: Proprietary algorithms assess credit, quality, and counterparty risks, generating credit scores for farmers and buyers to enhance transparency.

• IoT for Traceability: Real-time monitoring ensures product quality and compliance, addressing concerns about contamination and spoilage.

• Blockchain-Secured Automation: Immutable transaction records and smart contracts streamline documentation and payments, reducing fraud and errors.

• Digital Listing and Warehousing: Launched in 2024, these solutions enable SMEs to manage inventory and execute trades within seconds.

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with global players like DP World and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) enhance logistics and risk mitigation, leveraging world-class infrastructure like Jebel Ali Port.

These features have driven Maalexi’s rapid growth, with a 60% cumulative monthly growth rate in 2023 and the procurement of millions of kilograms of food across 70 products from 27 countries.

Recent Achievements and Strategic Partnerships

Maalexi’s USD 20 million facility builds on a series of milestones in 2024 and 2025:

• January 2024: Secured USD 3 million in pre-Series A funding from Global Ventures, Rockstart, and Ankurit Capital to enhance its platform and expand customer acquisition.

• April 2024: Partnered with ECI to mitigate credit risks for SME buyers and importers, strengthening trust in cross-border trade.

• May 2024: Signed an agreement with DP World to utilize temperature-controlled storage at Jebel Ali Port, ensuring faster delivery and wider product availability.

• January 2025: Secured a USD 3 million debt facility from Citi to expand sourcing operations and enhance AI-driven risk management.

These partnerships underscore Maalexi’s commitment to building a seamless, technology-enabled supply chain from origin markets to the GCC, addressing both payment and performance risks.

Broader Implications for the GCC

The GCC’s food security challenges are compounded by limited arable land, water scarcity, and rising temperatures. Maalexi’s platform mitigates these by enabling direct sourcing from global exporters, stabilizing prices, and reducing waste, which accounts for 15% of food produce value in the USD 2 trillion global food trade. The platform’s focus on SMEs empowers smallholder farmers and businesses, aligning with regional goals to diversify economies and reduce import dependency.

Saudi Arabia, a key market for Maalexi, is investing heavily in local production under Vision 2030, while Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy has achieved significant self-sufficiency milestones. Maalexi’s expansion into these markets will further integrate SMEs into the regional supply chain, fostering economic inclusivity and resilience.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its progress, Maalexi faces challenges in scaling its operations:

• Certification Costs: Sharia-compliant and halal certifications require rigorous audits, which can be costly for SMEs. Maalexi is addressing this through subsidies and streamlined processes.

• Supply Chain Complexity: Ensuring end-to-end halal compliance and preventing cross-contamination demands robust technology and infrastructure.

• Global Competition: The GCC competes with established halal exporters like Brazil and Australia, requiring continuous innovation to maintain a competitive edge.

However, these challenges present opportunities:

• For Businesses: Maalexi’s platform offers SMEs access to global markets, reducing transaction costs and risks. The upcoming tokenization layer will enable real-time payments, further enhancing efficiency.

• For Investors: The growing halal food market and Maalexi’s tech-driven model present high-return opportunities. The platform’s USD 5.8 million in total funding since inception signals strong investor confidence.

• For Consumers: Increased SME participation means more affordable, diverse food options, with Maalexi’s focus on quality and transparency ensuring trust.

• For Policymakers: Supporting platforms like Maalexi can accelerate national food security goals, attract foreign investment, and foster regional cooperation.

Maalexi’s USD 20 million Sharia-compliant facility marks a pivotal moment for GCC food security. By scaling its operations and deepening its technology stack, the platform is poised to transform the region’s food trade landscape. Future plans include expanding into origin-market procurement through partnerships with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives, as well as developing tokenized agricultural assets for real-time settlement.

As the GCC aims to reduce its 85% import dependency, Maalexi’s role as a first-mover in digital agri-trade is critical. The platform’s alignment with Sharia principles also resonates with the region’s cultural values, enhancing its appeal to both Muslim and non-Muslim markets. With the UAE’s food imports projected to grow and regional demand rising, Maalexi is well-positioned to lead the charge in building resilient, inclusive food systems.

For stakeholders, this development offers a chance to engage with a dynamic, high-growth sector. Businesses can leverage Maalexi’s platform to access new markets, investors can fund innovative solutions, and consumers can benefit from safer, more affordable food. As Maalexi continues to disrupt traditional trade models, it is paving the way for a future where food security is not just a goal but a reality for the GCC.