From Middle East Market Expansion to North American FinTech Growth: Ali Tahir’s Playbook
From Middle East Market Expansion to North American FinTech Growth: Ali Tahir’s Playbook “` INTERVIEW • FINTECH From Middle East…
From Middle East Market Expansion to North American FinTech Growth: Ali Tahir’s Playbook “` INTERVIEW • FINTECH From Middle East…
JazzCash has reached a major milestone by onboarding 1 million Raast QR-enabled merchants, solidifying its position as Pakistan’s largest digital payment network. The platform, which serves 58 million customers, processed transaction values equal to 13% of the nation’s GDP in 2025. By integrating with the state-backed Raast system, JazzCash is accelerating financial inclusion and supporting the growth of small businesses and women-led enterprises across the country.
Pakistan has secured strong investment backing from VEON and Jazz following a successful and transparent multiband spectrum auction. The partnership aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation by expanding high-speed connectivity and enhancing financial inclusion through platforms like JazzCash. This collaboration supports Pakistan’s strategic shift toward a cashless economy and a more robust digital ecosystem.
B.TECH has launched “B.TECH Business,” an integrated platform providing technology, logistics, and operational support for enterprises in Egypt. Moving beyond simple retail, the service targets sectors like healthcare and banking to streamline digital transformation. The initiative leverages B.TECH’s existing infrastructure to offer corporate clients a unified solution for procurement and supply chain management.
Telda has expanded its digital financial platform to include direct investment in the Egyptian Exchange and investment funds. The service is commission-free, requires only a national ID for account setup, and is fully integrated with the Telda card for instant access to funds. This move aims to simplify financial market access for millions of Egyptians by connecting investment activity with day-to-day spending.
Alaan has committed Dh3 million through its new ‘Alaan Sawa’ initiative to help 1,000 UAE SMEs cover utility and telecom bills. The program offers up to Dh3,000 in direct assistance per business and six months of free platform access, complemented by a partner network that encourages local companies to support each other through shared services and discounts.
A new central bank directive establishes a structured security framework for the “Partner Network,” the digital backbone connecting financial institutions for essential services like payment clearing. The policy mandates strict technical controls, including firewall zoning and encrypted remote access, to protect the integrity of the national financial system while requiring all participants to meet these standards by the end of 2026.
Attijariwafa Bank explores investment in Mistral AI to drive generative AI adoption in Morocco’s banking sector, enhancing automation, risk management, and digital innovation.
Vault22 has launched an AI-powered, Shariah-compliant wealth platform in the UAE, combining personalized financial insights with digital investment solutions.
SadaPay’s app outage was caused by a wider AWS Bahrain disruption, though user funds remain secure and key transaction services continue to function.