Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
PayTabs Egypt and Valu have launched a QR-powered merchant app that enables contactless smartphone payments, replacing POS hardware. The solution enhances financial inclusion, reduces costs, and supports Egypt’s digital payment transformation.
Qlub raises $30M to expand its QR-based ultra-fast restaurant payment platform globally, driving faster checkouts, higher tips, and operational efficiency across multiple international markets.
Iraq is preparing to launch Apple Pay, enhancing its digital payment system and financial inclusion. Officials met with Apple to discuss technical requirements, with Prime Minister al-Sudani backing the initiative. This move supports Iraq’s broader digital transformation goals and will enable secure, contactless payments.
City Bank has introduced Google Pay contactless payments for its Mastercard and Visa cardholders, becoming the first bank in Bangladesh to support Google Wallet and Google Pay. The service enhances convenient mobile payments in a country where Apple Pay remains unavailable.
Saudi Arabia’s Mada network drives a 57% increase in e-commerce transactions as contactless payments become mainstream. While in-store spending dips slightly due to holiday shifts, frequent smaller purchases and mobile payment innovations signal ongoing digital transformation in consumer behavior.
Visa’s 2024 report shows a surge in digital payments in Bangladesh, with a 14% increase in spending and 17% rise in transactions. Dhaka leads the growth, while other cities like Gazipur and Rajshahi also show rising adoption. Contactless payments and e-commerce transactions are key drivers in this shift.
Apple has launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UAE, enabling businesses to accept in-person, contactless payments using just their iPhone. The feature supports payments via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, offering a secure, hardware-free solution for merchants, backed by encryption and privacy protection.