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.
BENEFIT and Bahrain Clear partner to launch an eIPO service on BenefitPay, streamlining IPO subscriptions for retail investors. Set for Q4 2025, the platform aims to enhance accessibility, security, and transparency, supporting Bahrain’s financial sector development and digital transformation goals.
SPAYZ.io is expanding into South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon, offering EFT Bank Transfers and Mobile Money solutions to capture growing digital payment markets. This research-driven expansion targets long-term stability in Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy, set to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030.
DG Financial Technology and au Financial Service launch NESTA, a secure, scalable payment platform supporting 40+ payment methods with tokenization and zero downtime. Aligned with KDDI’s growth strategy, NESTA enhances Japan’s digital payments ecosystem, starting with au and UQ mobile services and planning wider expansion.
Benefit highlighted Bahrain’s financial sector as a key driver of Economic Vision 2030 at the Kuwait Public Relations Conference. Emphasizing digital transformation and fintech innovation, Benefit showcased its role in financial inclusion and attracting foreign investment, aligning with national strategies and advancing sustainable economic growth.
The 19th IsDB Global Forum in Algiers focused on digital transformation and financial inclusion in Islamic finance. Key initiatives like the Medikids Project and AI Hackathon highlighted innovation, while discussions emphasized fintech, Sukuk, and sustainable development’s role in advancing the $4+ trillion Islamic finance industry.
Mohammed Al-Othman, CEO of NBK, discussed the bank’s digital transformation and innovations at the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025. He highlighted NBK’s leadership in AI-driven banking solutions, the success of Weyay Bank, and the collaborative role of fintech firms in driving Kuwait’s digital future, backed by strategic investments and regulatory support.
Pakistan’s insurance penetration remains low at 0.8% of GDP, leaving many vulnerable to financial shocks. However, fintech innovations by companies like Jazz and JazzCash are helping bridge the gap, with millions of policies distributed daily. By leveraging digital infrastructure, Pakistan can move closer to universal insurance coverage.
Teammates.ai won the Mastercard and FAB AI Startup Challenge, securing $150K and access to global fintech growth opportunities. The competition, focused on AI-driven solutions, aimed to enhance innovation in sectors like cybersecurity and fintech. Teammates.ai’s win also provides entry to Mastercard’s Start Path program for global scaling.
F1Soft, Nepal’s leading fintech company, celebrates its 21st anniversary and announces a leadership transition, with Siddhant Thakuri becoming the new President. F1Soft has been a pioneer in digital financial solutions, including mobile banking and digital wallets. Thakuri aims to accelerate the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.
