Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
HNB PLC, in partnership with Visa, has launched HNB Accept, a first-of-its-kind feature in Sri Lanka that turns smartphones into secure payment terminals. Designed for MSMEs and entrepreneurs, the solution enables Tap-to-Phone and Pay-by-Link transactions, supporting the country’s drive toward financial inclusion and digital commerce growth.
Pakistani fintechs are entering Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, securing deals at Money 20/20 Riyadh and forming partnerships like ABHI–TRAY for wage access services. With 100+ Pakistani firms registered in KSA, streamlined regulations and cultural ties make the Kingdom a key growth market for Pakistan’s IT and fintech sectors.
HyperPay signed MoUs with Mastercard and Mozn to drive digital payments innovation and fraud prevention in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The partnerships will empower SMEs with secure, scalable solutions and support the region’s fintech growth under Saudi Vision 2030.
Telr has partnered with UAE fintech Kema to revolutionize B2B payments. The integration offers SMEs secure multi-currency transactions, automated invoicing, and cash flow optimization, combining regulatory compliance with innovation to boost on-time payments and streamline financial operations.
Sindbad Tech has raised SAR18M ($4.8M) to expand its autonomous finance solutions, backed by Alkhabeer Capital. The funding supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals of digital transformation, positioning the firm to deliver AI-driven, efficient financial tools for both enterprises and individuals across the Kingdom.
NBK has upgraded its Mobile Banking App with new features including in-app Fixed Savings Account opening, simplified standing orders, extended refund periods, and enhanced access recovery. These updates aim to strengthen customer convenience and reinforce NBK’s position as Kuwait’s leading digital banking provider.
Valu and MobileMasr have launched Egypt’s first peer-to-peer BNPL service for pre-owned smartphones, combining secure diagnostics, identity verification, and flexible financing. The partnership formalizes the informal secondhand phone market, boosts affordability, extends device lifecycles, and introduces a new growth avenue for Egypt’s digital economy.
CASHPLUS and PayPal have launched Morocco’s first instant digital PayPal withdrawal service, allowing users to access funds in local currency directly via mobile. The move boosts freelancers, SMEs, and the digital workforce, while advancing Morocco’s financial inclusion and digital economy goals.
Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan is expanding its GCC presence with new services in the UAE and plans to launch in Saudi Arabia. Targeting underserved consumers, the unicorn is betting on its experience in Egypt to tap into Saudi’s unbanked population, supported by fintech-friendly regulations and growing digital adoption.
Valu has teamed up with MobileMasr to launch Egypt’s first peer-to-peer BNPL service for pre-owned smartphones. The platform combines flexible installment plans with secure diagnostics, identity verification, and digital contracts, making second-hand devices more affordable, safer, and environmentally sustainable while transforming the informal mobile resale market.