Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Visa has partnered with Fonepay to introduce Scan to Pay in Nepal, allowing international travelers to make secure payments at over 1.5 million merchants using their Visa cards via Fonepay’s QR code system. This collaboration enhances the digital payment experience for tourists and supports financial inclusion in Nepal.
Batelco has become an early adopter of eKey 2.0, enhancing Bahrain’s digital transformation by integrating biometric-based identity solutions into its services. This adoption simplifies customer onboarding and improves security, aligning with Bahrain’s vision for a digitally advanced economy and reinforcing Batelco’s commitment to innovation and service delivery.
UMT has become Pakistan’s first university to launch a fully immersive virtual campus in the Metaverse. This groundbreaking initiative allows students and visitors to explore the campus interactively, access admissions portals, and engage with faculty. UMT is redefining education for the digital age, fostering global collaboration and career development.
Tazah Technologies, founded by former Careem executives, has evolved from an agritech startup to a global e-commerce player with the launch of Zambeel. Zambeel offers dropshipping, warehousing, and fulfillment services, helping entrepreneurs in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The platform also provides an E-Commerce Masterclass for aspiring entrepreneurs.
This study compares online and offline learning for Bangladeshi engineering students using the Best Worst Method (BWM). It highlights the strengths of online learning in terms of cost and flexibility, while offline learning excels in hands-on practicality and structure. The study provides insights for blended learning strategies in Bangladesh.
Google Pay will officially launch in Pakistan on March 12th, marking a major step towards a cashless economy. The platform will integrate with local banks and fintechs, providing a fast, secure way for consumers and businesses to make payments, transfer money, and manage transactions from their smartphones.
Apple Pay is expanding in the UAE and Qatar by adding support for new card networks, including UAE’s Jaywan and Qatar’s Himyan. This will allow more customers in both countries to use Apple Pay for secure mobile transactions, enhancing the service’s reach and accessibility in the region.
Ajras, a Saudi proptech company, has raised US$1.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Veda Holding. The funding will support the expansion of its “Rent Now, Pay Later” program for commercial and industrial properties. The startup had previously raised US$28 million in a seed round.
Careem Pay has expanded its remittance service to Egypt, allowing UAE residents to send money directly to bank accounts in Egypt quickly and at competitive rates. The service offers near-instant transfers and lower fees than banks, catering to the large Egyptian expat population in the UAE, especially during Ramadan.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed Egypt’s digital transformation progress, highlighting efforts to deliver government services electronically and automate company licensing. Key initiatives include digitising services like traffic violation inquiries and launching the Unified Services Card in Port Said. The government is also improving digital infrastructure and automating business processes.