In a move shaping Pakistan’s digital landscape, CCP has approved the acquisition of M/s Alif Innovations (Private) Limited by London-based M/s Alif Capital Holdings Limited.

Alif Capital Holdings, a holding company for various investments, will acquire shares from the two individual shareholders of Alif Innovations, a Pakistani company specializing in e-commerce services and solutions.

The acquisition is significant for a few reasons. Firstly, Alif Capital Holdings already boasts a well-established financial technology ecosystem, including the Alif Mobi app, a buy-now-pay-later system, and an online retail platform. This acquisition positions them to potentially become a major player in Pakistan’s e-commerce market.

Secondly, the CCP’s assessment identified e-commerce as the relevant market, with Alif Innovations currently holding no market share. This suggests the acquisition is unlikely to create a monopoly, but rather allows Alif Capital Holdings a chance to gain a foothold in the growing e-commerce sector.

Most importantly, the acquisition is seen as a positive step for Pakistan’s digital space. By bringing together established financial technology solutions with a new e-commerce player, the combined entity has the potential to create a unique marketplace connecting retailers, consumers, financial institutions, and technology providers. This could lead to a more robust and innovative e-commerce landscape in Pakistan.