• UzOman, a joint investment fund between Omani and Uzbek Sovereign Wealth Funds, has invested an undisclosed amount in Switzerland-based fintech ZOOD.
• Founded in 2018 by Michael Khoi, ZOOD is a digital lending platform that provides a holistic ecosystem including ZoodPay (fintech), ZoodMall (e-commerce), and ZoodShip (logistics).
• The investment aims to accelerate digital lending innovation in Uzbekistan.

Press release:

UzOman (Uzbek Oman Investment Company), a joint investment venture between Sovereign Wealth Funds Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the Uzbek Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan (UFRD), invested in ZOOD’s operations in Uzbekistan. ZOOD is a leading digital lending platform offering groundbreaking financial solutions in Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Headquartered in Switzerland with 10 offices serving Central Asia and the Middle East markets, ZOOD is a rapidly growing FinTech company that drives financial inclusion by providing innovative and accessible solutions through its digital lending platform. With 10 million users (5 million in Uzbekistan), ZOOD provides a holistic ecosystem including ZoodPay (FinTech), ZoodMall (E-commerce), and ZoodShip (E-logistics) services, with lending as its core operation. As a one-stop shop for lending solutions, ZOOD provides consumers with 4 interest-free instalments, up to 12 interest-bearing instalment options for online and in-store, and monthly inventory financing and warehousing services for SMEs. 

Commenting on the investment, Mohamed Al Lawati, CEO of UzOman said, “This investment is part of our ongoing efforts to promote and invest in Uzbekistan's rapidly growing financial sector. ZOOD’s focus on providing innovative, convenient, and secure payment solutions align well with UzOman’s plans to invest in the financial sector in Uzbekistan and empower businesses and individuals with cutting-edge financial tools.”

Michael Khoi, Group CEO of ZOOD, said, “UzOman’s investment is a testament to ZOOD’s pioneering role in driving financial inclusion through a holistic ecosystem that provides comprehensive solutions for individuals and businesses in Central Asia and the Middle East. We are proud to collaborate with UzOman to further expand our reach and impact, creating economic opportunities in Uzbekistan."