Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar and Azerbaijan are strengthening ties to expand tech startups across fintech, proptech, and insurtech sectors. Leaders stress public-private collaboration, talent development, and infrastructure investment as key drivers for transforming resource-based economies into regional digital hubs.
Egypt has launched a Startup Charter outlining a five-year roadmap to support entrepreneurship, enable up to 5,000 startups, and create 500,000 jobs. The initiative focuses on regulatory clarity, financing access, and international expansion to strengthen Egypt’s innovation ecosystem and accelerate technology-driven economic growth.
Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has reached a $4 billion valuation, driven by growth in fintech, mobility, and enterprise technology sectors. Despite strong early-stage momentum and international investor interest, limited domestic growth capital continues to delay unicorn creation, highlighting the need for deeper funding and large-scale exits to sustain long-term expansion.
The Startup Charter reflects Egypt’s ongoing efforts to position innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable growth within the country’s evolving technology ecosystem.
DiDi Egypt has partnered with RiseUp Summit 2026 to support entrepreneurship and innovation in Egypt, highlighting its role in digital transformation and sustainable mobility while engaging with startups, investors and technology leaders at one of the region’s largest innovation gatherings.
The announcements reinforce Qatar’s ambition to build a collaborative, investment-friendly environment for AI, R&D, and next-generation digital ventures.
Oman Arab Bank has launched Tumouhi, an integrated platform combining banking, legal, telecom, accounting, training, and cybersecurity services for SMEs. The initiative reduces operational barriers, offers financial incentives and deep partner discounts, and builds entrepreneurial capability, positioning the bank as a central enabler of SME resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth in Oman.
Oman Arab Bank has launched Tumouhi, an integrated platform combining banking, legal, telecom, accounting, training, and cybersecurity services for SMEs. The initiative reduces operational barriers, offers financial incentives and deep partner discounts, and builds entrepreneurial capability, positioning the bank as a central enabler of SME resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth in Oman.
Egypt has launched its first hackathon in the New Valley to empower youth, drive digital entrepreneurship, and address local challenges. Led by MCIT and NTI, the initiative targets students and graduates, offering training, mentorship, and cash prizes for innovations in agriculture, energy, tourism, and community services.
Woliz has raised $2.2m to build an AI and fintech platform that digitises neighbourhood retail in Morocco. The startup empowers small merchants with enterprise-grade tools for ordering, sales tracking, and financial access, aiming to expand across African markets facing similar retail and credit challenges.
MENA startups raised over $250 million as fintech, health tech, data, and gaming ventures secured major rounds across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. Despite a December slowdown, B2B, cybersecurity, and deeptech deals signaled strong regional momentum, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as the region’s leading startup hub.