Dubai, UAE – Astra Tech, a UAE-based technology leader, has announced its strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) during the Annual Meeting 2024 in Dubai. This collaboration positions Astra Tech at the forefront of global digital transformation, highlighting the UAE’s role in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech on the world stage.
The partnership aligns Astra Tech with WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), driving ethical and responsible technological development worldwide. The signing ceremony occurred at the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils, attended by Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, and Alexandre Raffoul, Member of the WEF Executive Committee. This collaboration follows WEF’s introduction of a Strategic Intelligence platform to support the UAE’s “We the UAE Vision 2031,” reinforcing the nation’s commitment to leveraging AI and advanced technologies for strategic policymaking.
As a homegrown company, Astra Tech exemplifies the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in AI and fintech. With its disruptive Ultra Platform, Astra Tech integrates fintech, AI-powered solutions, and conversational commerce into a single seamless experience, serving over 155 million users globally. Its flagship app, Botim, plays a crucial role in simplifying communication, payments, and e-commerce, aligning with WEF’s goals of shaping global governance for emerging technologies.
“We are honored to partner with the World Economic Forum in shaping the future of AI and digital finance,” said Abdallah Abu Sheikh. “Our Ultra Platform is more than just technology—it’s a tool for global financial inclusion, ethical AI, and digital equity. This partnership allows us to extend the UAE’s vision of a digitized future to a global audience and showcase how technology can solve critical global challenges.”
Alexandre Raffoul, from WEF, added: “The World Economic Forum brings together leaders from various sectors to address global, regional, and industry challenges, with a mission to improve the state of the world.”
By joining WEF’s C4IR, Astra Tech reinforces its leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering collaboration between key players across industries. This engagement will enable Astra Tech to contribute to discussions on building digital infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion, and developing AI governance frameworks reflecting the UAE’s leadership in the region.
About Astra Tech:
Astra Tech is a leading consumer technology group in the MENA region, known for transforming services through its Ultra app. The group’s portfolio includes companies such as PayBy, Rizek, Botim, and Quantix. Quantix was the first fintech in the UAE to receive a Finance Company License from the Central Bank of the UAE since 2008, and PayBy holds significant financial licenses, solidifying Astra Tech’s role in fintech innovation.
Operating in 155 countries and serving over 150 million users, Astra Tech’s Ultra app, powered by Botim, offers secure VoIP calling and services like international money transfers, bill payments, and visa processing. The company remains dedicated to advancing technology and enhancing the user experience throughout the region.
