The map·Kuwait·Government programmes

CBK Wolooj Regulatory Sandbox

Central Bank of Kuwait's FinTech sandbox — restructured under the Wolooj innovation hub (November 2024): pre-application, application, guidance, pilot and graduation stages.

What
Regulatory permission to test fintech products live; no funding provided.
Who
FinTech products under CBK's purview — cybersecurity, compliance, sustainable finance, open banking, AI.
Cost
No equity — service or permission
From abroad
Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026) All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Active

Checked · September 2026 · cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovat · How we check ↗

Apply →Website ↗On the map →

In detail

CBK Wolooj Regulatory Sandbox is a regulatory sandbox in Kuwait. Central Bank of Kuwait's FinTech sandbox — restructured under the Wolooj innovation hub (November 2024): pre-application, application, guidance, pilot and graduation stages.

Amount
Regulatory permission to test
Eligibility
FinTech products under CBK's purview — current themes: cybersecurity & data privacy, regulatory compliance, sustainable finance, open banking, AI in finance
Sectors
FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, Payments
Status
Active

What the source says

“requests for testing products and services that have already been developed and are ready for implementation in the banking sector”

cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/over · seen September 2026

“By adhering to the CBK's regulations, individuals and businesses can contribute to a secure and transparent financial system.”

cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/over · seen September 2026

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

Grant · Saudi Arabia
Up to SAR 500,000 non-repayable per project, capped at 20 projects total.
No equity — grant
29 Sep 2026closes

Finspire

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
4 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

Accelerator · Qatar
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes

All published deadlines →

More government programmes in Kuwait

CBK Wolooj Innovation Hub

Government · Kuwait
R&D programme support for fintech innovation projects.
No equity — programme support
—

CBK Digital Banking Guidelines

Government · Kuwait
A licensing pathway toward operating a digital bank.
No equity — service or permission
—

CMA FinTech Unit (Module 19)

Government · Kuwait
Regulatory permission to operate as a securities crowdfunding platform or fintech.
No equity — service or permission
—

KDIPA

Government · Kuwait
Up to 100% foreign ownership and up to a 10-year tax holiday for investors.
No equity — service or permission
—

All government programmes in Kuwait →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/overview · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/cbkkw · Checked September 2026

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