Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
FOO and eNovate have launched Egypt’s first digital student app, merging financial services, digital payments, and gamified experiences to promote youth financial literacy. Hosted securely on eFinance’s cloud, the platform empowers Gen Z students with smart, compliant, and engaging digital tools.
Morocco’s Y Combinator–backed startup Chari has secured new funding from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures to expand its fintech-driven retail network. The investment strengthens Chari’s goal of turning local stores into financial hubs across Africa, accelerating digital inclusion and economic growth.
Riyadh, November 11, 2025 — Abdul Latif Jameel Finance, a leading Saudi provider of innovative financing solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ant International, the Singapore-based global digital payments and financial technology company, to jointly explore fintech opportunities and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s digital finance ecosystem.
MoneyHash has appointed Abdullah Khayat as Country Director and General Manager for Saudi Arabia, marking a major step in its regional expansion. Backed by over a decade of experience across fintech, government, and enterprise sectors, Khayat will lead MoneyHash’s operations and partnerships as Saudi Arabia accelerates its transition to a cashless economy under Vision 2030. The move underscores MoneyHash’s commitment to driving payment innovation and digital transformation across one of the MENA region’s fastest-growing markets.
Saudi Arabia’s plan to introduce regulated stablecoins is earning strong support from major global exchanges including Bybit and BingX, who see it as a milestone for the region’s digital finance landscape. Backed by the CMA and SAMA, the initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion, speed up cross-border payments, and unlock innovation across fintech, real estate, and retail. As the Kingdom’s fintech sector rapidly expands, stablecoins are poised to become a key pillar of its digital transformation strategy.
ORA Technologies’ acquisition of Cathedis, in partnership with Azur Innovation Management, marks Morocco’s first locally financed startup consolidation. The move unifies payments, e-commerce, and logistics under ORA’s platform, strengthening national digital sovereignty and economic self-reliance.
Zain Group achieved its best performance in 16 years, with KD 1.7 billion in revenue and 31% profit growth, driven by fintech, AI, and enterprise solutions under its 4WARD strategy — reaffirming its position as MENA’s leading digital powerhouse.
du Pay and talabat launched a UAE-first digital wallet for delivery riders, offering instant salary payments, bill payments, remittances, and mobile top-ups through a secure, Central Bank-licensed system, enhancing financial inclusion and convenience for gig workers.
Thawani Pay became Oman’s first fintech licensed by Visa to issue credit cards, marking a major step in digital payments innovation and aligning with Oman Vision 2040’s financial inclusion goals.
Sohar International launched Oman’s first corporate mobile app with salary payment capability, empowering SMEs and corporates with full financial control via a secure, mobile-first platform aligned with Vision 2040.