Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Mastercard has teamed up with Jordan’s Zain Cash to expand digital payments, launch SME-focused solutions, and establish an Innovation Hub for new technologies. The partnership leverages Zain Cash’s prepaid market leadership and Mastercard’s global network to accelerate financial inclusion and transaction growth in Jordan.
Systems Limited and Mashreq have renewed and expanded their two-year technology partnership, strengthening Pakistan’s role as a regional IT hub. The collaboration enables Mashreq to accelerate digital banking initiatives, while positioning Systems Limited as a trusted partner delivering globally competitive talent and solutions to the financial services sector.
Grey and dLocal have achieved 80% quarterly payout growth in new markets, including Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt. Their partnership is enabling faster, low-cost cross-border payments, supporting Grey’s expansion and dLocal’s global growth strategy amid efforts to regain investor confidence.
Zain Cash and Mastercard are partnering to expand digital payments in Jordan, including prepaid, credit, and SME solutions. The deal introduces an Innovation Hub to co-create services, advancing financial inclusion and supporting Jordan’s digital transformation while reinforcing Zain Cash’s leadership in fintech innovation.
Mobile money and interoperable payments are accelerating financial inclusion in Africa, processing billions in transactions and supporting regional trade. Yet digital divides, cybersecurity risks, and fragmented regulation remain barriers. Expanding infrastructure and harmonized policy will be key to sustaining growth and driving a fully integrated digital economy.
Khetan Group has acquired a 14 percent stake in Fonepay, Nepal’s largest payment system operator, as part of a Rs1.49 billion deal involving multiple investors. The move signals Khetan’s strategic push into fintech, with Fonepay processing over 90% of Nepal’s QR payments and preparing for a future IPO.
Fonepay has partnered with Alipay+ to enable cross-border QR payments in Nepal. The deal allows travelers from 11 countries to pay local merchants via their home e-wallets, boosting SMEs, tourism, and financial inclusion while strengthening Nepal’s digital economy and global payment interoperability.
The National Bank of Bahrain has become the first Diamond Sponsor of Fintech Forward 2025, reaffirming its leadership in driving digital innovation. The event will unite global fintech leaders in Bahrain to explore integration, regulation, and trust, as the Kingdom builds a mature, future-ready financial ecosystem.
Orange Egypt has partnered with Enjaz Payment Services to launch exclusive money transfers from Saudi Arabia to Egypt via Orange Cash wallets. Customers enjoy fee-free transfers, instant receipt, and EGP500 cashback, reinforcing Orange’s regional remittance expansion and Enjaz’s strong Saudi fintech network.
Revolut has applied for regulatory approval in Morocco, aiming to disrupt the country’s banking sector with mobile-first, zero-fee financial services. With €41B valuation, 60M users, and strong profitability, the neobank sees Morocco as a strategic MENA gateway following its South Africa launch.