Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
SUDO has signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS to accelerate cloud adoption, AI integration, and legacy modernisation across Saudi Arabia. The partnership supports Vision 2030 by enabling public and private sector entities to build secure, scalable digital platforms and strengthen the Kingdom’s digital foundations.
Egypt’s Tax Authority has launched a mobile app for electronic real estate tax payments and faster clearance certificates, reinforcing its digital transformation drive. Officials outlined broader reforms, simplified regimes for small businesses, and new facilitation measures aimed at improving compliance, efficiency, and investor confidence.
FABMISR has launched a new electronic POS service to expand digital payment acceptance across Egypt. The solution enables secure card and contactless transactions for in-store merchants, extending the bank’s online payments ecosystem and supporting Vision 2030, financial inclusion, and the country’s transition toward a cash-light economy.
Floward has launched the prepaid Floward Card in Bahrain with SimpliFi, INFINIOS, and Mastercard, transforming cash gifting into a digital-first experience. The card allows recipients to shop freely while pairing fintech convenience with emotional gifting, aligning perfectly with Bahrain’s advanced cashless and fintech ecosystem.
Nearly six in ten consumers in Kuwait now rely primarily on digital payments, according to Visa. Cash use is falling across everyday categories, with peer-to-peer payments seeing the sharpest decline. Convenience, security, and rewards are driving the shift toward cards and mobile wallets.
Oman is accelerating its shift toward a cashless economy under Vision 2040, with new government systems and fintech innovation driving inclusion. The launch of GMEC’s Global Pay app enables secure, bank-free digital payments, supporting national digital growth and expanding access for both citizens and expatriates.
Global Money Exchange has launched Global Pay, a mobile payments app powered by Comviva, to accelerate Oman’s shift toward a cashless economy. The platform enables transfers, remittances, bill payments, and QR-based merchant payments without requiring a bank account, strengthening financial inclusion and interoperability across the Sultanate’s digital ecosystem.
Network International has signed a strategic processing agreement with Saudi Sudanese Bank to deliver end-to-end digital payments, including Mastercard sponsorship and prepaid issuing. The partnership aims to modernise Sudan’s financial ecosystem, improve cross-border trade efficiency, and enable faster, safer, and more inclusive banking services.
Thawani Pay has partnered with Network International to expand credit card capabilities and accelerate Oman’s digital payments ecosystem. Following its Visa issuing licence, the fintech will leverage Network’s enterprise-grade processing to launch app-first cards, strengthen financial inclusion, and support Oman Vision 2040’s push toward a cashless economy.
Mastercard has announced new partnerships with STC Bank in Saudi Arabia and MEPS in Jordan to expand digital and cross-border payments. The collaborations enable faster international transfers via Mastercard Move and introduce Click to Pay for e-commerce, strengthening secure, transparent, and frictionless payment experiences across both markets.