UAE students cut costs with SmartPocket app / AI Generated Image
For many students in the UAE, the gap between a monthly allowance and the cost of living can feel like a mountain to climb. Recognizing this, two young visionaries, Najib Mikati, a senior at the American School of Dubai, and Naji Faqihinejad, a freshman at George Washington University, spent 18 months developing SmartPocket. This mobile platform is more than just a discount tool; it is a financial companion designed specifically for the 12-to-25 demographic, helping them stretch their dirhams while learning the “why” behind their spending.
Why was SmartPocket created?
Nineteen-year-old Emirati student Naji Faqihi Al Awadhi came up with the idea for SmartPocket while he was in his final year at the American School of Dubai. Like many students, his monthly allowance stayed the same, but costs for essentials such as food, fashion and fitness kept climbing due to inflation.“While our monthly allowances from our parents stayed the same, our spending needs naturally evolved,” Al Awadhi told Khaleej Times, explaining the spark behind the idea. What began as a personal challenge became the seed of a platform designed to make student life more affordable.Two years later, SmartPocket launched publicly in October 2025, giving students a dedicated place to access discounts from more than 20 brands across multiple categories.
How does the app work?
SmartPocket isn’t open to everyone, users must first verify their student status before accessing deals. Verification happens through official channels like university email addresses or documents such as Emirates IDs, ensuring that only real students can benefit from the discounts. Once verified, students can browse and redeem offers from partner brands in categories such as:
- Food and cafés
- Fashion and lifestyle
- Electronics and gadgets
- Subscriptions and services
Al Awadhi estimates that, on average, users end up reducing their monthly spending by around 20%, though the platform is still new and collecting data to confirm long-term saving trends.This concept is similar in spirit to global student discount networks, like UNiDAYS, which offers exclusive student deals on hundreds of brands worldwide, but SmartPocket is tailored specifically to the UAE market with its own verification and brand partnerships.
Meet the inventor
At the heart of SmartPocket is 19-year-old Emirati student Naji Faqihi Al Awadhi, while studying at the American School of Dubai, Al Awadhi noticed a familiar problem: his monthly allowance didn’t stretch as far as he wanted, especially as prices for food, fashion and leisure kept rising. Rather than simply accept it, he began thinking about a way to help students keep more of their money without cutting out the things they enjoy.The idea for SmartPocket grew from that simple challenge. After two years of refining the concept and building the platform, SmartPocket officially launched in October 2025, offering students a verified way to access deals and discounts from a growing list of local brands.Al Awadhi’s entrepreneurial journey began even earlier. At just 15 years old, he started helping his brother resell sneakers and streetwear, an early lesson in understanding markets and customer demand. That experience gave him a foundation in business that he applied to SmartPocket’s development
Is SmartPocket trustworthy?
One common question about new discount platforms is whether they are legitimate and safe to use. With SmartPocket, there are a few signs that help answer this clearly.First, SmartPocket requires real student verification before anyone can access discounts. Students must verify their status using university email addresses or official documents like Emirates ID, which helps ensure the platform isn’t being misused by non-students. This verification step is a basic trust and security measure, similar to how other student discount services operate globally.Second, the app is listed on major app distribution sites like the Apple App Store, where it is presented as a genuine UAE-focused student discount app with clear offer details and secure sign-in features. This listing shows that the platform is intended for legitimate use and meets basic app store standards for security and functionality. Go to Source
