On Monday, June 23, 2025, Ahmed El Sheikh, Executive Chairman of The Egyptian Exchange (EGX), rang the opening bell to inaugurate the trading session, joined by Heba El-Serafy, EGX Vice Chairman. The event was also attended by Karim Awad, CEO of EFG Holding, and Walid Hassouna, CEO of U Consumer Finance (VALU.CA). The bell-ringing ceremony celebrated the commencement of trading in the shares of U Consumer Finance following its listing on EGX main market.
Ahmed El Sheikh congratulated the company’s leadership on the successful listing and innovative offering, stating:
“We welcome companies from all sectors to join the market, increasing the number of listed firms and enriching the investment supply. We also welcome all innovative ideas and solutions that comply with listing rules and regulatory frameworks.”
He explained that this listing represents an innovative approach to meeting EGX’s listing requirements regarding shareholder count and free float ratios. As part of the process, a portion of the dividends of a listed company—EFG Holding (HRHO.CA)—was distributed to its shareholders in the form of shares in the newly listed U Consumer Finance (VALU.CA), allowing the company’s shares to be listed and commence trading.
El Sheikh emphasized that this step showcases EGX’s readiness to accommodate listings and implement non-traditional ideas through the adoption of innovative technologies. It also highlights EGX’s pivotal role in market development by providing tailored solutions that serve the needs of companies and investors, offering them flexible alternatives to meet listing requirements. He also commended the successful execution of the transaction in record time using an upgraded version of the OPR system, and the activation of API integration for customer registration, as a testament to EGX’s commitment to digital transformation and the adoption of modern technologies.
He concluded by affirming EGX’s ongoing efforts to maintain a highly flexible market aligned with international best practices, in order to attract both local and foreign investments and support national economic objectives.
Karim Awad, Group CEO of EFG Holding, remarked, “Valu’s listing on the Egyptian Exchange is a proud and defining milestone for EFG Holding. It reflects the culmination of years of strategic investment, innovation, and unwavering belief in the power of financial technology to transform lives. As one of the most recognized and trusted household fintech brands in Egypt, Valu has built a loyal customer base and a resilient, scalable platform for sustainable growth. Its success is a testament to the strength of our ecosystem and our ability to incubate and scale market-leading businesses. We are confident in Valu’s ability to continue delivering exceptional value to customers and shareholders alike.”
Walid Hassouna, CEO of Valu, added, “Today marks a transformative milestone in Valu’s journey. Becoming a publicly listed company is a powerful validation of the impact we’ve made and the future we are building. Since our inception, we’ve been driven by a mission to democratize access to finance and empower individuals and businesses through innovative, tech-enabled solutions. Listing Valu brings our mission of financial inclusion full circle. As we enter this new chapter, we remain committed to innovation, inclusion, and excellence.”
About Valu (VALU.CA):
Valu is the leading universal financial technology powerhouse offering customers and businesses convenient and comprehensive financial solutions. Under its product universe, Valu pioneered Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) solutions in the MENA region through U, providing customizable financing plans for up to 60 months across more than 8,500 stores and online platforms – covering a diverse array of categories, including home appliances, electronics, home finishing, furniture, residential solar solutions, healthcare, education, travel, and fashion, among others. Valu also offers investment products, an instant cash redemption program, and a financing solution to facilitate the purchase of big-ticket items up to
EGP 60 million in the luxury space through the AZ Valu fund and EFG Hermes ONE, Sha2labaz, and Ulter, respectively. In addition, Valu offers business-to-business solutions through Valu Business. Valu had recently introduced its prepaid card and co-branded credit card in collaboration with Visa. As an award-winning fintech player in the MENA region, Valu embraces a progressive mindset with an agile workforce committed to architecting innovative financial solutions.
