Mirna Sleiman: A Trailblazer Transforming the Middle East’s Fintech Landscape
Mirna Sleiman is one of the most influential figures in the Middle East’s fast-growing digital finance ecosystem. As the founder and CEO of Fintech Galaxy, she has built a reputation as a visionary leader, ecosystem enabler, and passionate advocate for financial transformation across the region. Through her work, she has helped bridge the gap between traditional financial institutions and emerging fintech innovators, positioning the Middle East as a rising hub for financial technology. Mirna’s story is one of determination, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to improving financial inclusion and digital readiness in the Arab world.
Early Life and Education
Mirna Sleiman was born in Lebanon, a country known for producing some of the most dynamic women leaders in the Middle East. Growing up in a region marked by political and economic challenges, she developed a strong sense of purpose early on. Her environment taught her that innovation is not just an economic tool, but a necessity for survival and growth.
Mirna pursued higher education with a focus on communication, business, and financial systems. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for her future career in business journalism, corporate banking, and eventually, fintech innovation.
Career Beginnings: Journalism and Corporate Leadership
Before entering the world of entrepreneurship, Mirna spent several years working as a financial journalist for global news networks. She reported on economic trends, banking reforms, digital transformation, and the rapidly changing financial landscape in the Middle East. Her deep exposure to regional markets gave her valuable insights into both the opportunities and obstacles faced by traditional financial institutions.
She later transitioned into the corporate world, working with major multinational companies and government entities. Her roles often involved strategic communication, public affairs, and digital transformation initiatives, all of which expanded her understanding of how institutions operate and where they struggle—especially when adapting to new technologies.
This combination of journalism and corporate strategy helped Mirna build a unique skill set that few possessed: an ability to understand financial systems from both outside and inside, coupled with the storytelling power to communicate complex ideas with clarity.
Founding Fintech Galaxy
In 2018, driven by the need to accelerate financial innovation in the Middle East, Mirna Sleiman founded Fintech Galaxy, a regional open finance and API-based platform. The company’s mission is to break down barriers between financial institutions and technology startups by creating a centralized space where they can collaborate, test solutions, and integrate systems.
Fintech Galaxy quickly grew to become one of the most recognized fintech innovation platforms in the region. Its primary product, FINX, is a cloud-based open finance API platform that supports secure data exchange and enables banks, fintech startups, and regulatory bodies to co-create digital services.
Mirna’s vision with Fintech Galaxy is simple:
make financial services faster, smarter, and more accessible to everyone in the Middle East.
Championing Open Banking and Open Finance
One of Mirna Sleiman’s biggest contributions is her role in advancing open banking and open finance across the region. These concepts—popular in Europe and other advanced markets—focus on giving consumers better control over their financial data and enabling banks to integrate new technologies efficiently.
Under Mirna’s leadership, Fintech Galaxy has:
- Built open finance regulatory sandboxes
- Helped governments design modern fintech policies
- Supported banks in upgrading their digital infrastructure
- Enabled startups to access APIs and build innovative products
Her work has been instrumental in helping countries such as the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt move rapidly toward open digital ecosystems.
Women in Tech: A Strong Advocate
Mirna is also recognized as one of the strongest female voices in the Middle East’s tech sector. In a region where women remain underrepresented in STEM fields and entrepreneurship, she has become a symbol of empowerment.
She consistently advocates for:
- Greater representation of women in leadership
- Equal access to technical education
- Encouraging young girls to pursue careers in fintech and innovation
- Promoting diversity as a driver of stronger digital economies
Her speeches and mentorship programs have inspired countless women to build careers in finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Thought Leadership and Global Recognition
Mirna Sleiman is a sought-after speaker, frequently invited to international conferences and forums to discuss the future of digital finance. She has appeared on panels across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, representing the Arab region’s advancements in fintech.
Her thought leadership focuses on:
- Digital transformation strategies
- Future of banking
- Open finance regulation
- Smart cities and digital governments
- Financial inclusion for underserved communities
Mirna has also contributed to several reports and publications that analyse fintech trends, regulatory needs, and regional digital readiness.
Impact on the Middle East Fintech Ecosystem
Mirna’s influence extends far beyond her company. She is a key figure shaping the region’s digital policy, innovation roadmaps, and technology adoption. Her ability to connect regulators, banks, investors, and entrepreneurs makes her a vital ecosystem catalyst.
Some of her notable contributions include:
- Supporting regional central banks in crafting fintech policies
- Helping banks integrate APIs and digital solutions
- Mentoring young entrepreneurs across the Arab world
- Building innovation programs for major institutions
- Advancing financial literacy and access
Thanks to her work, the Middle East is now recognized as a rising global hub for fintech and open banking innovation.
Leadership Style and Vision
What sets Mirna apart is her leadership philosophy. She is known for being:
- Collaborative – bringing diverse players together
- Vision-driven – always thinking 5 to 10 years ahead
- Empathetic – understanding the region’s social and economic challenges
- Fearless – unafraid to challenge outdated systems
- Practical – designing solutions that match regional realities
Her long-term vision is to see the Middle East evolve into a fully connected digital financial ecosystem, where banks and fintechs work together to serve millions more people efficiently and affordably.
Future Outlook
As fintech adoption accelerates in the Middle East, Mirna Sleiman continues to play a central role. With Fintech Galaxy expanding across several countries and open finance becoming a regional priority, her influence is expected to grow even further.
In the coming years, she aims to continue driving:
- More regulatory collaboration
- More cross-border fintech solutions
- Better financial inclusion
- Stronger digital infrastructure
- Greater empowerment of women in tech
Her journey reflects a new era in the Arab world—one where innovation is led by bold thinkers determined to create real change.
Conclusion
Mirna Sleiman stands among the most impactful innovators in the Middle East’s modern financial landscape. Her work has reshaped how banks operate, how governments regulate technology, and how startups engage with large institutions. By championing open finance, digital transformation, and financial inclusion, she has significantly advanced the region’s progress toward a smarter and more connected future.
Her story is not only a testament to her personal achievements but also an inspiration to anyone striving to revolutionize traditional industries and build meaningful change.
Published: 9th December 2025
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