Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar announced a $2 billion expansion of its Fund of Funds and new incentives for startups at Web Summit 2026, including 10-year residencies and compute credits. The move strengthens Qatar’s position as a global innovation hub attracting founders, investors, and technology leaders worldwide.
SkipCash raised $4 million in Series A funding to expand its Tap-to-Phone POS solution, enhance infrastructure, and enter GCC markets. Serving 6,000 clients, the Qatari fintech processed over QR1 billion in 2025 and aims to simplify digital payments for merchants and consumers.
Ooredoo Fintech partnered with Western Union to integrate global money transfer services into the Ooredoo Money app in Qatar. The move enhances cross-border remittance options, supports digital financial inclusion, and will expand to other regional markets, offering users more flexibility and choice in international payments.
Qatar University launched its first nanosatellite, QUbeSat1, designed by students and researchers as an educational and research platform, strengthening national capacity in space science through hands-on satellite engineering and Earth observation capabilities.
Vodafone Qatar will showcase end-to-end digital solutions at Web Summit Qatar 2026, guiding startups and SMEs from idea to scale through immersive demos and expert consultations. The initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and reinforces Vodafone’s role as a trusted partner for business growth in the digital economy.
QIC will appear as a Diamond Sponsor at Web Summit Qatar 2026, unveiling its insurance-powered digital ecosystem through a dedicated pavilion, partnerships, and thought leadership. The showcase highlights QIC’s transformation into a single-platform digital provider aligned with Qatar’s national vision and financial sector strategy.
Ooredoo will return as Diamond Sponsor of Web Summit Qatar 2026, showcasing AI, connectivity, and startup innovation through an immersive Innovation Hub Pavilion. The sponsorship reinforces Ooredoo’s role in enabling Qatar’s National Digital Strategy 2030 and positions the company at the centre of the country’s growing global technology ecosystem.
Qatar has pledged over $434 million to support Lebanon’s energy, security, and education sectors. The package includes $400 million to stabilise the power grid, continued backing for the Lebanese Armed Forces, and scholarships for youth, reaching over 1.5 million people and reinforcing Qatar’s long-standing commitment to Lebanon’s resilience.
QNB is positioning itself at the centre of Qatar’s fintech evolution by modernising banking infrastructure, embracing cloud and AI, and fostering global collaboration through Web Summit Qatar. The bank’s strategy aligns digital innovation with national objectives, strengthening Qatar’s ambition to become a leading regional hub for financial technology.
MCIT and MOPH hosted a healthcare-focused SMEs Go Digital workshop to promote digital transformation and AI adoption across Qatar’s health sector. The session showcased practical applications to improve patient experience and operational efficiency, supporting innovation-driven SME growth in line with the Digital Agenda 2030.