Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Kuwait Investment Authority-backed Raqami Islamic Digital Bank will launch in Pakistan next month with a $100 million investment. The fully digital, Shariah-compliant bank targets individuals and SMEs, expanding financial inclusion and reinforcing growing Gulf interest in Pakistan’s banking and digital finance sector.
MobilityOne’s Malaysian unit will integrate with bKash to enable real-time wallet-to-wallet remittances between Malaysia and Bangladesh from February 2026. The move targets the large Bangladeshi worker base in Malaysia and supports a broader shift toward digital, low-cost cross-border payments.
NowPay has raised $20 million to launch operations in Saudi Arabia through a new joint venture, NowAccess, with Tas’heel. The partnership brings payroll, earned wage access, and financial wellness solutions to the Kingdom, aligning with Vision 2030 and positioning NowPay at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s HR and fintech transformation.
EdfaPay has launched Smart SoftPOS in Saudi Arabia following SAMA approval, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments on Android devices without hardware terminals. The unified, API-driven platform supports banks, fintechs, and enterprises with white-label solutions, accelerating cashless adoption and modernising the Kingdom’s payments ecosystem.
Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa, as consumers rapidly move away from cash. Mobile payments alone represent 16%, driven by convenience, security, and Vision 2030 reforms that are embedding digital finance into everyday life.
Oman’s Global Money Exchange has launched Global Pay, a mobile payments app powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Pay platform. The solution enables bill payments, remittances, and merchant transactions, aligning with Oman’s digital transformation agenda and supporting cashless adoption, financial inclusion, and modern payment experiences.
Network International has appointed former Careem CFO Ashish Jain as Group Chief Financial Officer. Jain will lead financial strategy, capital allocation, and operational excellence as the fintech accelerates growth across the Middle East and Africa, bringing deep experience in scaling businesses and navigating complex, high-growth environments.
FABMISR has launched a new electronic POS service to expand digital payment acceptance across Egypt. The solution enables secure card and contactless transactions for in-store merchants, extending the bank’s online payments ecosystem and supporting Vision 2030, financial inclusion, and the country’s transition toward a cash-light economy.
Floward has launched the prepaid Floward Card in Bahrain with SimpliFi, INFINIOS, and Mastercard, transforming cash gifting into a digital-first experience. The card allows recipients to shop freely while pairing fintech convenience with emotional gifting, aligning perfectly with Bahrain’s advanced cashless and fintech ecosystem.
Egypt has licensed tpay to enable direct carrier billing for government services, allowing citizens to pay utilities, fines, and official fees through mobile balances. The move expands access for unbanked users, simplifies transactions, and strengthens Egypt’s shift toward inclusive, mobile-first digital payments.