Russian tech-driven Yango Group has introduced Yasmina, a human-like bilingual AI assistant designed specifically for GCC users, in Oman. Integrated into the Midi, Mini, and Lite smart speakers, Yasmina supports Arabic and English, blending cultural relevance with advanced technology. The assistant offers features such as prayer times for Muscat, Surah playback, Adhan alerts, traditional Omani dish suggestions like Shuwa, family trip planning to local attractions like Wadi Shab, and Hijri calendar dates.
Built on YangoAI’s enhanced large language model, Yasmina provides context-aware natural language interaction, educational storytelling, Arabic-English translation, and interactive content suitable for all age groups. Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head at Yango Middle East, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on daily life and Yango’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Omani citizens.
ITHCA Group, the Oman Investment Authority’s tech arm, expressed strong support, noting that Yasmina aligns with national goals and will help families and students explore AI capabilities in familiar, practical ways.
Yango’s expansion in Oman also includes the acquisition of Otaxi, the local mobility platform. In collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Technology, Communications & IT, Yango plans to upgrade Otaxi’s services to global standards.
Regionally, Yango has broadened its ecosystem to encompass ride-hailing, maps, delivery, advertising, and warehouse robotics. Yasmina debuted across the Middle East in late 2023 and has been integrated into the Yango Play super-app since May 2024 in several GCC markets. The AI assistant is also embedded in smart speakers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, alongside Yango’s services like Yango Maps and Yango Ads.
In North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Yango continues to expand ride-hailing and delivery operations in Morocco, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique, facilitating over 630 million rides globally and supporting more than one million drivers.
