UAE-based fintech company Tabby has entered the education payments sector through a new partnership with zenda, aiming to give families more flexibility when managing school-related expenses.
The partnership will allow schools and educational institutions using zenda’s payment infrastructure to offer Tabby’s installment payment options directly through existing payment systems.
The companies said the arrangement is designed to help parents spread the cost of tuition fees, transport costs, and extracurricular expenses over periods of up to 12 months without hidden fees.
The collaboration marks another expansion for Tabby beyond traditional retail and consumer spending categories, placing the company deeper into essential household expenditures at a time when education costs remain a major financial consideration for many families in the UAE.
Flexible Payment Services Expand Beyond Retail
School fees are among the largest recurring expenses for households across the Gulf region, particularly for expatriate families enrolled in private education systems. By integrating installment-based payment options into education platforms, fintech firms are increasingly positioning themselves as tools for budgeting and cash-flow management rather than only short-term retail financing.
Under the partnership, parents making payments through zenda-enabled schools will be able to select Tabby installment plans during checkout. The companies said the integration has been built into existing payment channels, allowing schools to offer installment options through their existing payment systems.
Tabby described the partnership as part of a broader effort to make everyday spending categories more manageable for consumers. The company already operates across sectors including retail, travel, healthcare, and e-commerce throughout the Middle East.
zenda, which focuses on school payment and engagement systems, said the collaboration is intended to simplify the payment experience for families while supporting schools with more flexible collection options.
Education Sector Draws Rising Fintech Interest
The partnership reflects a wider regional trend in which fintech companies are expanding into nontraditional payment categories tied to essential services.
Over the past several years, buy now, pay later providers in the Gulf have increasingly moved beyond fashion and electronics into healthcare, insurance, travel, and utility-related payments. Education represents one of the latest sectors where installment-based payment products are gaining traction.
The initiative gives Tabby direct exposure to one of the UAE’s largest recurring household spending categories as the company broadens its presence beyond traditional retail and deeper into essential family expenses such as education.
The UAE’s private education market continues to grow as more families seek international schooling options, creating new opportunities for digital payment companies offering flexible ways to manage school-related expenses.
Tabby Expands Its Regional Footprint
Founded in 2019, Tabby has grown into one of the Middle East’s most recognizable fintech companies, offering deferred payment and installment solutions across the Gulf region.
The company operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other regional markets, partnering with merchants across online and physical retail channels.
In recent years, Tabby has expanded its ecosystem beyond payments into financial services and consumer-focused digital tools. The company has also secured major funding rounds from regional and international investors as competition in the Middle East fintech sector intensifies.
Tabby has also been expanding beyond its core buy now, pay later business. Earlier this year, Tabby secured a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, allowing it to introduce products including spending accounts, cards, and money management tools as it broadens its push into everyday financial services.
Meanwhile, zenda has focused on building payment and communication technology tailored for schools and parents. The platform allows families to manage fee payments and school-related transactions digitally while helping institutions streamline billing processes.
The integration with Tabby could help schools offer more payment flexibility without independently developing installment infrastructure or financing systems.
Flexible Spending Tools Remain in Demand
The collaboration comes as consumers across many markets continue to prioritize budgeting flexibility amid broader cost-of-living pressures.
Although installment-based payment services have become common in retail environments, their expansion into education may carry additional significance because school-related costs are often fixed, recurring, and difficult for families to delay.
By allowing tuition and related expenses to be distributed over longer periods, providers are increasingly framing these services as financial planning tools rather than discretionary spending mechanisms.
The companies emphasized that families using the service would not face hidden fees under the payment plans offered through the partnership.
The rollout also highlights the growing competition among regional fintech firms seeking deeper integration into consumers’ daily financial lives.
The UAE and broader Gulf region have become active markets for digital payments, embedded finance, and alternative lending solutions, supported by high smartphone penetration and increasing demand for digital-first financial services.
The agreement with zenda expands Tabby’s presence in recurring household payments, giving the company greater exposure to a category that could generate steadier long-term transaction activity than discretionary retail spending. The partnership could also help schools streamline payment collection while giving families more flexible ways to manage school-related expenses.
