Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
TruBuild has raised $1 million in a seed round led by Waʼed Ventures, Dar Ventures, and Plug & Play Ventures. The funding will help enhance its AI-powered construction platform, expand its teams, and scale operations in Saudi Arabia and beyond, aiming to improve risk management and decision-making in construction projects.
Egyptian q-commerce startup Rabbit has secured new funding to expand into Saudi Arabia, aiming to launch operations in Riyadh and Jeddah by Q3 2025. The company plans to establish micro-fulfillment centers, introduce a Saudi mobile app, and hire locally to tap into the growing demand for fast, reliable delivery services.
The UAE tech sector saw a remarkable rise in funding in Q1 2025, with $872 million raised, marking a 194% increase from the previous quarter. The shift to late-stage funding, sector specialization in fintech and enterprise, and Dubai’s dominant position highlight the maturation of the country’s tech ecosystem.
Rabbit, an Egyptian quick commerce startup, has secured new funding and expanded into Saudi Arabia by establishing a regional headquarters in Riyadh. The company aims to deliver 20 million items in major Saudi cities by 2026. Rabbit promises fast, 20-minute deliveries of groceries through its tech-driven dark store network.
Sadq, a Saudi platform for digital signatures and authentication solutions, has raised SAR 5.5 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by X by Unifonic Fund. The investment will strengthen Sadq’s role in Saudi Arabia’s digital trust sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s digital transformation and regulatory advancements.
Moroccan startup PayTic has raised $4 million to expand into Africa, aiming to tap into the continent’s growing digital payments market. The company simplifies back-end processes like chargebacks for banks and card issuers and is well-positioned to leverage Africa’s rising internet penetration and financial inclusion rates.
UAE tech startups raised $872 million in Q1 2025, a 194% increase from the previous year, driven by late-stage investments in sectors like enterprise applications, fintech, and retail. Dubai remains the dominant hub for venture capital, while acquisitions and high-value deals indicate the region’s growing tech maturity.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications, Amr Talaat, met with Vodafone Egypt and Vodacom Group CEOs, along with a South African investment delegation, to discuss boosting investments in the ICT sector. Key topics included digital transformation, infrastructure, and collaboration with the private sector, aiming to attract foreign investments and promote technological growth.
Rentify has launched in the UAE, offering a tech-driven rental experience with AI-powered solutions, automated rent collection, and flexible payment options. The company secured $500,000 in funding and is already handling AED 1.5 billion in property value. It aims to streamline the rental process for both landlords and tenants.
The Ugandan government has partnered with Rowad Capital Commercial (RCC) to revitalise Uganda Telecommunications Corporation (UTel). RCC will take a 60% stake in UTel, with the government retaining 40%. This partnership aims to commercialise Uganda’s ICT National Backbone Infrastructure, attracting private sector clients and increasing revenue.