Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan has launched a cashless Ramadan market in Islamabad, enabling digital payments for subsidized food as part of a wider push to enhance transparency and expand digital welfare distribution.
Through ongoing partnerships with global technology providers, financial institutions, and government stakeholders, stc pay aims to remain at the forefront of fintech innovation while supporting the development of an inclusive and connected financial ecosystem in the region.
UWallet and Mastercard have partnered to launch digital payment solutions in Jordan aimed at expanding financial inclusion, supporting SMEs and enhancing digital commerce through prepaid cards, multi-currency payments and digital-first financial services aligned with the country’s shift toward a cashless economy.
Dialog Axiata integrated Sri Lanka’s GovPay platform into its eZ Cash service, enabling nationwide government service payments through over 55,000 retail outlets and advancing financial inclusion and digital government access.
Saudi Arabia’s shift toward a cashless economy is accelerating, with 67% of consumers now relying mainly on digital payments. Visa reports declining cash use across everyday purchases as mobile and card payments gain ground. Coordinated efforts under Vision 2030 are driving safer, faster, and more convenient payment experiences nationwide.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly shifting toward digital payments, with 67% of consumers now largely non-cash users, up 4% year-on-year. Visa’s report shows declining cash use across everyday categories as cards and mobile wallets gain ground, driven by convenience, security, rewards, and alignment with Vision 2030.
UAE consumers are rapidly moving away from cash, with 68 percent now largely non-cash users, according to Visa. Everyday spending is dominated by cards and mobile payments, while cash lingers mainly in tips, remittances, and rent. Convenience, security, and rewards are accelerating the shift.
Pakistan has signed an MoU with World Liberty Financial to advance cross-border digital payment innovation. The agreement establishes technical cooperation on next-generation payment architectures, supporting Pakistan’s vision for a “digital Pakistan” and positioning the country within the global digital finance ecosystem.
MEPS has launched Click to Pay in Jordan through Mastercard Gateway, enabling password-free, secure online checkout for e-commerce merchants. The solution simplifies payments, strengthens fraud protection through tokenization and EMV 3-D Secure, and supports cross-border commerce as Jordan’s e-commerce market accelerates.
RAKBank has received in-principle approval from the UAE central bank to issue a dirham-backed stablecoin. Fully reserved and blockchain-based, the token strengthens the UAE’s regulated digital payments ecosystem, though adoption and interoperability remain key challenges.