Visa has made strategic investments in Tunisian fintech Konnect and Moroccan startup PayTic, enhancing its commitment to Africa’s fintech ecosystem. These investments are part of Visa’s ongoing USD 1B initiative, empowering startups with funding and mentorship. Konnect offers instant payments via shareable links, while PayTic provides compliance tools for financial institutions.
Sadq, a digital signature provider based in Riyadh, raised $1.46 million in a Pre-Series A round led by X by Unifonic. The funds will help the company scale its infrastructure, enhance security, and support the growing demand for paperless workflows in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation agenda.
Egypt has launched the Invest-IT program to support tech startups in their Seed and Pre-Series A stages. The initiative, led by ITIDA and Flat6Labs, aims to enhance investment readiness and help startups secure funding, expand operations, and drive innovation in sectors like AI, fintech, logistics, and smart energy.
Algeria is launching new specialized investment funds to support the growth of startups in various sectors, including energy, AI, and ICT. With a target of 20,000 startups by 2029, the government is collaborating with international institutions to enable local startups to expand into African and Arab markets.
Vodafone Qatar is heavily investing in Qatar’s digital economy and telecommunications infrastructure to position the country as a hub for entrepreneurship. Through partnerships with companies like Snoonu and Samsung, Vodafone is supporting startups with resources and digital solutions, fostering innovation, and driving the resilience of Qatar’s economy.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance digital and technology partnerships, focusing on AI, cloud computing, and fintech. The collaboration aims to support Pakistani startups and SMEs in accessing the Saudi market, simplify licensing processes, and promote joint research and development initiatives to drive regional growth and innovation.
Taager, a leading social e-commerce platform in the MENA region, has raised $6.75 million in pre-Series B funding to expand its offerings. The funding will help the company scale its operations, provide better tools and insights for social sellers, and grow its presence across the MENA region.
Hub71’s Cohort 16 welcomes 27 startups, collectively raising $145 million, with 63% headquartered outside the UAE. Startups from key sectors like FinTech, HealthTech, and ClimateTech are set to scale in Abu Dhabi. The initiative strengthens the UAE’s digital economy and reinforces its position as a global tech hub.
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the Arabic Language Innovation Accelerator to support startups and entrepreneurs. The program will help enhance digital Arabic content, providing training, mentorship, and access to a network of investors. Applications are open until February 5, with a launch on April 7.
SecurityPal, a Kathmandu-based startup, helps tech companies streamline security questionnaires using a combination of AI and human expertise. The company has grown rapidly, reaching $10 million in revenue and securing major clients like Airtable and Figma. SecurityPal aims to build a tech hub in Nepal while providing competitive salaries and opportunities.
