Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Zain Great Idea brought 11 startups from six markets to Silicon Valley for an intensive global acceleration journey. Founders engaged with leading tech giants, refined business fundamentals, strengthened investment readiness, and pitched to global investors, reinforcing Zain’s role as a regional ecosystem builder for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
Morocco has launched a national venture-building program under Digital Morocco 2030, committing MAD 700 million to support over 800 startups. With staged grants, interest-free loans, global mentorship, and founder living allowances, the initiative offers end-to-end support from idea to scale, positioning innovation as a core national priority.
Woliz raised USD 2.2 million in pre-seed funding led by Sanlam Maroc to digitize Morocco’s informal neighborhood retail sector. The startup will use the capital to scale its AI-driven platform, onboard merchants, and prepare for expansion into other African markets.
Orange Jordan Foundation and ICON concluded a startup acceleration program in Karak and Aqaba, supporting 88 startups with training, mentorship, and resources. The initiative strengthened business growth and reinforced Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Nawah Scientific has raised $23 million in Series A funding to expand its digital scientific testing platform. The round will support a new R&D centre in Rwanda, increased lab capacity in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and regional expansion into North Africa and Europe, strengthening its research and technology capabilities.
Bawabat Accelerator has launched through a partnership between ITHCA Group and Saudi Vision Venture Capital to help Omani tech startups scale into Saudi Arabia. The initiative connects founders with Saudi investment networks, regional expertise, and early-stage capital, strengthening cross-border collaboration between Oman and Saudi venture ecosystems.
Morocco has launched the Startup Venture Building program, backed by over MAD 700 million, to support more than 800 startups in three years. Aligned with Digital Morocco 2030, the initiative combines funding, living allowances, and venture acceleration to scale digital innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide.
ITHCA has launched new funding and accelerator initiatives to help Omani tech startups scale into Saudi Arabia. The move includes rebranding its ideation fund, launching the Baw’wabah Accelerator, and signing a partnership with Saudi-based Vision Ventures to strengthen cross-border investment access.
Propeller has launched Kernel Camp, an eight-week San Francisco residency for early-stage MENA founders building AI infrastructure and core software. Running in April–May 2026, the programme offers product support, mentorship, full cost coverage, and direct access to Silicon Valley’s deep-tech ecosystem.
VOLZ has secured nearly $5 million in the largest local-currency funding round ever for an Algerian startup, marking a milestone for the country’s travel-tech and venture ecosystem. The round enabled the first exit of the Algerian Startup Fund and will support VOLZ’s regional expansion and new corporate travel services.