Page 24 - CMA Journal (July-August 2025)

Exclusive Interview

adapting locally without losing our core vision, which is
to give people and businesses access to the capital they
What started as an idea is now need when they need it.
empowering over 1,000,000 ICMA: You are working with real-time data in a
fast-paced environment. How are you using data
employees from more than 5,000 analytics to improve products and serve your
customers more effectively?
companies across the region Omair Ansari: Data is the backbone of our

decision-making. Real-time analytics allow us to track
usage patterns, detect risks, and continuously refine our
ICMA: You have introduced Earned Wage Access as products. For example, by analyzing transaction data, we
your first major product. How did people respond to can predict demand cycles and ensure liquidity for
it, and what impact have you seen so far? employees when they need it most. Our data-driven
approach not only improves the user experience but also
Omair Ansari: The response has been very encouraging.
strengthens risk management, ensuring that our
We partnered with textile giants, pharmaceutical
solutions remain both impactful and sustainable.
companies, and multinational corporations to introduce
this facility for their employees' financial well-being. ICMA: Fintech is evolving rapidly in Pakistan and
Once employees experienced the ability to access their globally. What trends are you most excited about,
wages in 30 seconds, adoption grew rapidly. What and what advice would you give to young
started as an idea is now empowering over 1,000,000 professionals looking to enter this space?
employees from more than 5,000 companies across the
Omair Ansari: The most exciting trend is the shift towards
region. To date, Abhi’s EWA has processed millions of
embedded finance — where financial services are
transactions, helping employees avoid high-interest
seamlessly integrated into everyday platforms and
debt, manage unexpected expenses, and improve their
ecosystems. This is transforming how people access credit,
overall financial well-being.
payments, and financial management tools. I am also
ICMA: You have now expanded Abhi’s services to optimistic about the role of fintech in driving financial
include payroll financing, invoice factoring, and inclusion, especially in emerging economies where
digital payroll management. How do you decide millions remain underserved.
what to build next and stay ahead of business needs?
Omair Ansari: At Abhi, our approach has always been
rooted in listening to our partners and understanding Data is the backbone of our
their evolving challenges. Employers trusted us first with
solving their employees’ liquidity issues through ABHI decision-making. Real-time
Salary, and that trust opened the door for us to see
broader gaps in business cash flow management. Payroll analytics allow us to track usage
financing, invoice factoring, and digital payroll
management all emerged from direct conversations patterns, detect risks, and
with our clients, who needed faster, simpler, and more
reliable access to working capital. We decide what to continuously refine our products
build next by focusing on where friction exists in
financial flows and by designing solutions that are
scalable across industries and geographies. For young professionals, my advice is simple: stay
curious and impact-driven. If you focus on
ICMA: You have partnered with major companies in
understanding people’s needs and pair that with
Pakistan and recently expanded into the UAE. What
technical and creative skills, you’ll not only thrive in this
have been the biggest lessons in scaling Abhi across
industry but also contribute to building financial
different markets?
systems that work for everyone.
Omair Ansari: The biggest lesson has been that while
The Editorial Board thanks Mr. Omair Ansari, Co-Founder & CEO-
every market has its own regulatory, cultural, and
Abhi Pvt. Ltd., for sparing his precious time to give an exclusive
operational nuances, the core financial challenges of
interview for Chartered Management Accountant Journal.
businesses and employees remain similar. However,
scaling across markets has taught us the importance of
22 ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Jul-Aug 2025