lina_al_attiyah

Saudi Arabian social entrepreneur pioneering women's economic participation through tech-enabled microfinance initiatives

Lina Al Attiyah is a visionary entrepreneur driving economic empowerment for Saudi women through her innovative microfinance platform Sahel. Born in Riyadh in 1992, Al Attiyah leveraged the Kingdom's Vision 2030 reforms to launch her fintech venture in 2020, creating a Sharia-compliant digital platform that connects women entrepreneurs with investment opportunities. The platform's unique "community-backed loans" model allows groups of women to collectively guarantee loans, bypassing traditional collateral requirements.

By 2024, Sahel had facilitated over SR 200 million (US$53 million) in loans to 3,500 female entrepreneurs across 12 Saudi cities. Al Attiyah's approach combines Islamic finance principles with modern fintech, enabling women to start businesses in sectors ranging from renewable energy to handicrafts. Her work was highlighted in World Economic Forum articles and earned her the 2023 Arab Women's Economic Empowerment Award.

In 2022, Al Attiyah introduced Sahel's "Digital Marketplaces" initiative, connecting women-owned businesses with domestic and international buyers through an e-commerce platform. This has expanded market access for traditional artisans and small producers. Her 2024 partnership with Prince Sultan University established the first women's fintech lab in the Middle East, training over 500 students annually.

Al Attiyah's TED Talk "Redesigning Economics for Gender Equality" (2023) has become a cornerstone of global discussions on inclusive finance. Her ventures have also pioneered the use of blockchain technology for transparent supply chains, ensuring fair trade practices. Recognized as one of Forbes Middle East's "30 Under 30" in 2025, Al Attiyah continues to redefine economic participation in the Arab world.