Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
Standard Chartered Pakistan has announced the winners of its Women in Tech Cohort 7, recognizing innovative women-led startups driving social and economic impact. The top honors went to Yumkins Foods, Atfaal, and Ootein, representing sectors from baby nutrition and circular fashion to allergen-free food. Each received funding and mentorship to scale operations nationwide. The accelerator, run with Village Capital and INNOVentures Global, underscores Standard Chartered’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s growing innovation economy.
Pakistan’s IT ministry and Ignite have launched new initiatives to empower startups through cloud infrastructure, funding, and international exposure. The programs aim to boost innovation, attract investment, and accelerate digital transformation under the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation vision.
Pakistan’s IT Ministry and Ignite have launched the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Programme and Pakistan Startup Fund to strengthen the digital economy, empower entrepreneurs, and attract global investment. The initiatives provide startups with infrastructure, funding, and exposure to advance innovation and digital transformation.
GoRide Transfers, an Agadir-based startup, was honored by Technopark Morocco’s Tiwizi program for its AI-powered airport transfer platform now operating in 20 countries.
Velents.ai has secured USD 1.5M to launch Agent.sa, the Middle East’s first Arabic-speaking AI employee, marking a major step in regional enterprise automation.
Zain Group has selected 13 tech startups from six regional markets to join the Global Acceleration Program in Silicon Valley. The initiative, part of the Zain Great Idea accelerator, offers mentorship, funding opportunities, and global exposure to help scale innovative startups in AI, fintech, edtech, and sustainability.
Omantel Innovation Labs and stc group’s inspireU have joined forces to boost GCC startup growth through mentorship, market access, and cross-border collaboration. The partnership connects Oman and Saudi ecosystems to accelerate innovation, investment, and digital entrepreneurship.
Islamabad’s new IT Park, backed by South Korea, is nearly complete and will host 120 startups to boost innovation, exports, and industry-academia collaboration under the Digital Pakistan vision.
Kuwait City — The regional edition of Zain Great Idea (ZGI), the telecom group’s flagship tech startup accelerator, has officially kicked off with a series of intensive bootcamps across Zain markets. The program marks a new milestone as it expands beyond Kuwait to include founders from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, offering startups access to mentorship, funding, and global exposure.