Egypt has seen a remarkable 181% increase in financial inclusion over the past eight years, with 71.5% of eligible citizens gaining access to banking services. Key initiatives, including targeted events and programs for underserved groups, have contributed to this growth, fostering economic development and access to financial services across the nation.
Padash, an Iraqi startup, has secured $125,000 to enhance its quick commerce platform, focusing on rapid food and grocery delivery within Erbil. This investment will support the expansion of its services and app development, aiming to revolutionize convenience in urban Iraq.
Mastercard has partnered with Scale to accelerate fintech growth across Africa and the Middle East. The collaboration aims to eliminate technical and commercial barriers for fintechs, PSPs, and telcos, enabling them to focus on core business and launch new products efficiently. The partnership benefits financial institutions, merchants, governments, and consumers by enhancing financial inclusion and access to digital services.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, in partnership with AT&T, has launched Pakistan’s first VoLTE roaming services in the US. This service ensures superior voice quality and faster call setup for Jazz customers traveling to the US, especially since AT&T has discontinued its 2G and 3G services.
Morocco is set to grant licenses to Starlink and OneWeb for satellite internet services in 2025, aiming to improve connectivity in remote areas. Starlink offers speeds from 100 to 500 Mbps and low latency, providing a solution for hard-to-reach regions. However, challenges include high costs and satellite deployment.
Ejada, a leading IT service provider in Saudi Arabia, is poised for expansion with a focus on Digital Transformation services. As part of its growth strategy, the company is rebranding and aims to broaden its reach across new industries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With the regional technology market set to surge, Ejada is concentrating on cloud services and AI, aiming to capitalize on the increasing venture capitalist interest in tech startups, particularly fintech. Ejada’s CTO highlighted the anticipated remarkable growth in cloud computing and emerging tech sectors.
The “Abikhdmh” app has raised SAR 3 million in Seed funding to enhance its e-transaction services and expand into areas such as flight bookings, business services, and recruitment solutions. This investment will strengthen its platform and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing digital transformation in the country.
PTCL Group CEO Hatem Bamatraf announced a two-year integration plan following the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan at GITEX. The merger aims to enhance connectivity and digital innovation in Pakistan, with immediate network quality improvements expected post-regulatory approvals, fostering socio-economic development and technological advancement.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain was honored for its Regulatory Enablement at the SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s LEAD Awards. This recognition highlights TRA’s dedication to providing fast, reliable internet access and exceptional telecom services in Bahrain.
Core42 and Gecko Robotics have partnered to integrate advanced robotics and AI-driven software into key sectors like energy and public infrastructure in the UAE. This strategic alliance aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and operational excellence across critical infrastructures, leveraging Gecko’s innovative technologies and Core42’s extensive industry insights.
