Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
Muscat Governorate has been ranked in the Advanced Tier for digital transformation under the Tahawul programme, following the digitisation of 24 municipal services. This achievement highlights Muscat’s commitment to Oman Vision 2040 and sets a benchmark for smart governance, improving accessibility, transparency, and efficiency for residents and businesses.
Ooredoo has partnered with MobiBox to bring Blacknut Cloud Gaming to Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman through its Go Play Market platform. The partnership offers over 500 premium cloud-based games, accessible on smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets, with seamless subscription services and direct carrier billing, enhancing digital entertainment in the region.
Beyond ONE has partnered with TIMWETECH to bring premium digital content to mobile users in Saudi Arabia and Oman. The collaboration allows customers to access streaming, gaming, and infotainment services without traditional banking, benefiting Beyond ONE’s prepaid customer base and enhancing digital access to entertainment and education.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly emphasized Egypt’s commitment to national digital transformation, focusing on automating company registration and digitizing government services for improved access and efficiency. The government’s efforts include launching new e-services, implementing the Unified Services Card, and collaborating with various ministries to streamline business and social services.
Visa’s 2024 report shows a surge in digital payments in Bangladesh, with a 14% increase in spending and 17% rise in transactions. Dhaka leads the growth, while other cities like Gazipur and Rajshahi also show rising adoption. Contactless payments and e-commerce transactions are key drivers in this shift.