Board Members
Now operating as Halan Microfinance Bank, we continue our dedication to providing trusted financial services. Previously known as Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank, we are evolving to better serve our clients and expand our reach with innovative, customer-focused solutions.
Mounir Nakhla
Founder and CEO of Halan
Mounir Nakhla, is the Founder and CEO of Halan. He is known for his entrepreneurial drive, shrewd management style and hands-on, bias-for-action approach to problem-solving, which have well placed Halan to be Africa’s fastest growing app. Halan is a tuk tuk and motorcycle ride-hailing and on-demand logistics app. Since its launch in November 2017, Halan has gained unparalleled traction, achieving 1+ million downloads and facilitating a more than 10 million rides.
Prior to Halan Nakhla established what is now Egypt’s second largest microfinance company; Tasaheel. In less than four years since its establishment in 2015 Tasaheel has opened 200+ licensed branches across the country, employed 6000+ employees and has more than 500,000 active borrowers.
In 2010 Nakhla established Mashroey and assumed the role of its Managing Director. Mashroey is an asset-based microfinance company that focused on selling 2 and 3 wheelers. It has now added electronics, electrical appliances and affordable housing to its portfolio of products. Mashroey has 100+ branches and outlets across Egypt.
Prior to Mashroey, Nakhla assumed progressive positions with Environmental Quality International (EQI) since 2000 until becoming EQI’s Managing Partner in 2008. He contributed enormously to EQI’s development to become Egypt’s leading microfinance consultancy with two operating subsidiaries in the sustainable ecotourism and microfinance loan-tracking software industries. Nakhla holds a Master’s of Science in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics (2003), and a Bachelor of Science in International Business Studies from the European Business School (2000).
Christos Argyriou
Chief Executive Officer of Halan Microfinance Bank
Christos Argyriou is the Chief Executive Officer of Halan Microfinance Bank, where he is responsible for overseeing operations in Pakistan. With a strong background in investment management, he previously played a pivotal role at Qalaa Holding, contributing to the development and management of key investments. Notable projects include The Egyptian Refining Company, a USD 4.3 billion refining initiative in Cairo—Africa’s largest private equity project finance transaction—and Taqa Arabia, Egypt’s leading private sector utility company focusing on natural gas, electricity, and the downstream distribution of refined products. Christos holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the American University in Cairo.
Yasir Hamid
Director
Mian Yasir Hamid currently serves as the Director at Halan Microfinance Bank, he also serves as the CEO & Co-Partner at LNG Easy PVT. LTD, Director at DA Group, a well-established family-owned business since 1979 with diversified interests in Oil & Gas, Logistics, IT & Energy.
The Group has established strong partnerships with world renowned organizations, including Korea Hydro ( KHNP), LNG Easy Singapore, China Pipeline Petroleum (CPP), Renault Trucks ( France), CISCO ( USA) and China Energy ( CEEC).
A Swedish National & Pakistani Expat, Yasir has been based between Pakistan & London since 2002. He had successfully led several mega projects from inception to completion, including the award & development of 350 MW Athmuqam Hydro IPP project by KHNP, pioneer in developing Pakistan’s 1st Private LNG Import Virtual pipeline Terminal at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) among many others.
Yasir’s academic background includes a Diploma in International Management from SOAS University of London and a BA Degree in International Business Management with specialisation in Finance from Regent’s Business School in London.
Ahmed Mohsen
Director
Ahmed Soliman is a Software Engineering veteran with more than 10 years of experience at blue-chip technology companies and establishing successful tech startups.Mr. Solimon has been directly involved with the founding of several tech startups, including America Diploma Spot (an educational platform funded by ADI), CircleTie (raised its first round of investment from Sawari Ventures for USD 250k), and Sort6. Mr. Soliman was also a Partner and Senior Security Engineer at SecureMisr, a leading Egyptian Security Consulting Company (acquired 51% by FIS in Dubai). Before his time with start-ups, he served as a software engineer for IBM for 3 years, where he developed the Commercial Registry Authority for the Egyptian Government.
Andre Valavanis
Director
Andre Fotis Andre Valavanis is an accomplished finance executive leading the investments department at MNT-Halan. With a focus on M&A acquisitions, he plays a pivotal role in the company’s strategic expansion, both locally and internationally. Currently serving as Senior Vice President, Andre leverages his expertise to drive strategic growth initiatives. Before joining MNT-Halan, Andre gained valuable experience at GB Corp, a leading automotive player listed in the EGX30. During his tenure, he ascended to the position of Associate VP of Investor Relations and Corporate Finance, demonstrating his ability to excel in navigating complex financial landscapes. Andre holds a BSc in Finance from the University of Indianapolis and an MSc in Finance from Lund University, Sweden.
Yusra Arshad Gillani
Independent Director
A Barrister and transactional lawyer as a profession, Yusra Gillani brings with herself varied experience working for a not for profit company and being a consultant at a corporate/commercial law firm. With a degree in BA Economics and Politics, from University of London, Ms. Gillani did her CPE/ Post Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP Law School London, UK and completed her Bar Vocational Course, Lincolns Inn from Inns Court School of Law London, UK. She has worked for leading organizations including Acumen Fund, and Mandviwalla Law Firm.
Apart from being involved in the mergers and acquisitions, her Expertise ranges from; corporate governance, private equity, financial services, not for profits, start-ups to general contract work. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Halan Microfinance Bank.
Aeyesha Gulzar
Independent Director
Aeyesha Gulzar is a strategy development practitioner, with over seventeen years of progressive leadership experience focusing on strategic planning, Economic Growth, Value Chain Development, Private sector engagement, Enterprise Development and has contributed to policy formulation in Pakistan and abroad. Ms Gulzar has worked and consulted for Multilaterals, development organizations, governments and global Fortune 500 companies in the US and Europe. She has conceived and initiated advocacy forums and think tanks for policy development, conducted evidence based research projects and facilitated and trained local and international teams, fostered innovative financing models to blend public, development and private capital for scalable business, economic and social outcomes.
Her expertise includes Global Alliance creation, organizational capacity development, Agribusiness, Enterprise and value chain development. Ms. Gulzar has majored in MIS (with honors) from the University of Connecticut and has read Strategic Leadership at Yale University, USA; she has also been trained in Leadership at Harvard Business School and Social Entrepreneurship from Oxford University, UK. She has also worked in the US, UK, EU, Africa, UAE, India, Iran and Pakistan on agribusiness partnerships, enterprise development and value creation strategies.