Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
First Iraqi Bank (FIB) has launched Iraq’s first App-in-App project, enabling businesses to integrate directly into its platform. The initiative advances the bank’s vision of building Iraq’s first Super App, combining modern digital banking with compliance to Islamic finance principles.
UAE telecom operator du has launched a new ‘Salary in the Digital Wallet’ service via du Pay, allowing blue-collar workers to receive wages directly into their digital wallets. The service offers cashless convenience, international transfers, and bill payments, addressing financial inclusion for workers without access to traditional banking.
Alipay+ and Kaspi.kz have enabled international cross-border QR payments in Kazakhstan, making it the first country in Central Asia to adopt Alipay+. Covering nationwide merchants, the move supports tourism growth, builds on regional expansion efforts, and connects global travelers to local businesses.
Mastercard and Zand are partnering to provide faster, more secure, and transparent cross-border payments in the UAE, offering real-time tracking and reduced friction for retail and corporate clients, and capitalizing on the country’s growing role as a global financial hub.
Kazakhstan now accepts Alipay+ payments via Kaspi QR, making it the first in Central Asia to enable cross-border QR payments. The move supports record tourism growth, expands merchant reach, and deepens the Alipay+–Kaspi.kz partnership for both inbound and outbound mobile payments.
Pakistani fintech Abhi has entered Saudi Arabia with its instant earned wage access platform, letting employees withdraw earned pay anytime. The move expands Abhi’s MENA footprint amid growing competition in the Kingdom’s EWA market.
Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator includes four North African startups, supporting digital financial inclusion and SME growth in Egypt and Morocco.
stc pay Bahrain sets new standard with geo-redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted, secure mobile wallet services and strengthening its leadership in financial technology.
EdfaPay secures triple PCI MPoC certifications, becoming the first MENA firm to do so, boosting secure mobile payments adoption and fintech innovation in the region.
pawaPay and Airtel Money Africa expand inbound remittance services across seven countries, enhancing cross-border payments with real-time mobile wallet transactions to over 161 million users. The partnership aims to boost financial inclusion and simplify payments across Africa.