About Cashew
Cashew is a Dubai-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) company that lets shoppers split the cost of purchases into instalments. It positions its product as Shariah-compliant, designed to fit the preferences of customers who want to avoid interest-based credit.
At checkout, customers choose Cashew to spread the cost of a purchase over several months. Rather than charging interest, Islamic-compliant BNPL structures typically use fixed, transparent pricing agreed upfront, so customers know exactly what they will pay. This approach aims to make larger purchases more manageable while respecting religious and ethical considerations.
For merchants, Cashew offers a way to increase sales and attract customers who might hesitate to pay the full price at once. Retailers integrate Cashew into their online checkout or use it in stores, and Cashew pays the merchant while managing customer repayments.
Cashew has focused on higher-value purchases in categories such as electronics, furniture, home appliances and education, where spreading payments over longer periods can be particularly useful. Longer instalment plans differentiate it from BNPL providers that focus mainly on short splits of four payments.
The company assesses customers' ability to repay before approving purchases, which is an important part of responsible lending. BNPL regulation in the UAE has developed as the sector has grown, with authorities setting rules for providers.
The UAE BNPL market has become crowded, with several regional and international providers competing for merchants and customers. Differentiation through Shariah compliance, longer plans and specific merchant categories helps companies stand out.
Islamic finance is a major part of the UAE's financial sector, and demand for Shariah-compliant consumer products extends to newer categories like BNPL.
Cashew's combination of flexible instalments and Islamic-compliant structure targets a segment that conventional BNPL does not fully address, and Startups UAE lists it among Dubai's consumer payments startups.
At checkout, customers choose Cashew to spread the cost of a purchase over several months. Rather than charging interest, Islamic-compliant BNPL structures typically use fixed, transparent pricing agreed upfront, so customers know exactly what they will pay. This approach aims to make larger purchases more manageable while respecting religious and ethical considerations.
For merchants, Cashew offers a way to increase sales and attract customers who might hesitate to pay the full price at once. Retailers integrate Cashew into their online checkout or use it in stores, and Cashew pays the merchant while managing customer repayments.
Cashew has focused on higher-value purchases in categories such as electronics, furniture, home appliances and education, where spreading payments over longer periods can be particularly useful. Longer instalment plans differentiate it from BNPL providers that focus mainly on short splits of four payments.
The company assesses customers' ability to repay before approving purchases, which is an important part of responsible lending. BNPL regulation in the UAE has developed as the sector has grown, with authorities setting rules for providers.
The UAE BNPL market has become crowded, with several regional and international providers competing for merchants and customers. Differentiation through Shariah compliance, longer plans and specific merchant categories helps companies stand out.
Islamic finance is a major part of the UAE's financial sector, and demand for Shariah-compliant consumer products extends to newer categories like BNPL.
Cashew's combination of flexible instalments and Islamic-compliant structure targets a segment that conventional BNPL does not fully address, and Startups UAE lists it among Dubai's consumer payments startups.