Flutterwave is partnering with blockchain network Tempo to launch stablecoin-powered payments and infrastructure for settlements across Africa. The collaboration will integrate Tempo as a blockchain settlement network within the Send App and Flutterwave for Business platforms. This infrastructure aims to enable faster global money movement for both individuals and enterprises once the system goes live. This initiative addresses the high costs and lengthy delays associated with traditional cross-border transactions in Africa. According to the World Bank, remittance fees to sub-Saharan Africa average approximately 7%. This figure exceeds the global average of 6% and sits well above the United Nations Sustainable…

Wio Bank PJSC, a digital banking platform in the Middle East, signed a partnership agreement with Geidea, one of the MENA region’s fintech and merchant payment providers. The Wio Bank Geidea partnership will bring Wio’s business banking and financing solutions directly to SMEs via Geidea’s merchant network. Prateek Vahie, Chief Commercial Officer at Wio Bank, and Pankaj Kundra, Chief Executive Officer at Geidea UAE, signed the agreement. Through the partnership, Wio’s business banking and lending products will be accessible to Geidea’s merchant network. Eligible merchants could benefit from a streamlined experience, which includes transparent financing terms. Geidea will act as…

du is launching a US$50 million corporate venture fund named du Ventures to invest in companies across the region, with a specific focus on fintech, AI, and cybersecurity. The fund is managed by multi-strategy investment firm Shorooq and targets startups developing market-ready solutions. A significant portion of the capital is allocated to UAE-based ventures. While the fund covers multiple technology sectors, its financial services focus includes fintech infrastructure, loyalty platforms, and enterprise solutions. The initiative marks the telecom operator’s expansion into the broader digital investment space. It provides founders with capital alongside access to the company’s enterprise reach and infrastructure.…

Binance Dubai has officially launched direct AED deposits and withdrawals for eligible users in the UAE. The integration allows users to move fiat funds directly between their UAE bank accounts and the cryptocurrency platform, providing a direct channel to access digital assets. Verified users can deposit AED from their domestic bank accounts without incurring transaction fees. For fiat withdrawals, the platform has instituted a flat fee of 10 AED. After depositing funds, users can convert AED into crypto and trade across available platform products, or withdraw AED back to their bank accounts. To mark the launch, an activity period is…

Mashreq has launched an off-plan home loan product for UAE residents. The offering is designed to meet the growing demand for off-plan financing, a segment that accounted for roughly 70% of Dubai property market transactions in 2025. The mortgage provides a structured financing option for buyers purchasing under-construction properties in substantially progressed developments. It includes zero pre-approval fees, repayment tenures of up to 25 years, and flexible repayment structures to help buyers manage cash flow. However, the financing is strictly limited to select projects by leading developers. The property handover must be expected within 24 months for the development to…

Yango Group, a global tech company, announced its investment in the MENA region through Yango Ventures, which involved backing Comfi AI, a UAE-based fintech company, as part of its Pre-Series A round. The Yango Group MENA investment marks the group’s wider strategy of investing in early-stage companies building infrastructure across fintech, logistics, and SME services. The investment in Comfi AI is said to mark the fund’s first step into the MENA market. Comfi AI develops embedded finance solutions for SMEs, including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), invoice discounting, and dealer financing. The Comfi AI tools are built into supplier workflows…

Mawarid Finance is deploying a cloud-native secondary core banking system from technology provider Fimple to introduce Banking as a Service (BaaS) infrastructure across the UAE. Announced at the Mawarid Fintech Summit 2026, the partnership allows the Dubai-based firm to introduce embedded financial services by overlaying Fimple’s composable platform onto its existing legacy systems. This side-core approach integrates directly with the institution’s existing payment rails, compliance frameworks, and risk management configurations. By avoiding a full core system replacement, the company aims to protect operational continuity while lowering the time required to launch new financial products. “Our partnership with Fimple represents an…

e& has signed a binding agreement to sell a 12.5% stake in Careem Technologies to Uber for US$100 million in cash. The transaction will reduce the telecommunications group’s holding in the Middle Eastern superapp from 50.03% to 37.53%. e& Group Chief Financial Officer, Karim Bennis, said: “The transaction aligns with our strategy to focus on our core businesses while maintaining exposure to Careem Technologies’ growth trajectory.” Careem Technologies has expanded its market share in the UAE over the past two years. Gross transaction value across its core services has grown nearly fivefold, driven by growth in Careem Pay, food delivery,…

Core42, a G42 company operating as a sovereign AI infrastructure operator, has arranged two structured trade finance facilities totalling US$550 million with HSBC. The capital will be used to accelerate the expansion of the firm’s AI cloud and compute deployments across the US and Europe. The arrangement consists of two separate facilities. These include a US$240 million tranche completed in February 2026 and a US$310 million tranche completed in May 2026. The structures match the capital intensity and deployment cycles of large-scale AI cloud infrastructure. They also support capacity buildouts tied to long-term contracted demand. Both facilities are non-equity dilutive,…

Vodacom M-Pesa Tanzania has partnered with PayPal to enable direct digital wallet transfers, creating a faster route for Tanzanian gig economy workers and entrepreneurs to access cross-border earnings. Eligible M-Pesa customers can now deposit funds directly into their PayPal wallets. They can also withdraw PayPal balances back into their M-Pesa accounts. Users can access the service through a guided account-linking process within the M-Pesa Super App. The partnership targets a growing segment of Tanzanians participating in international digital commerce. These users often face friction when moving global earnings into local mobile money systems. “Digital connectivity is creating more opportunities for…

Zand is partnering with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone to support businesses operating within the free zone with digital banking solutions and financial services. Under the partnership, eligible new and existing companies registered with the DWTC Free Zone will have access to faster service delivery times and streamlined processes through Zand’s AI-driven technology. The collaboration aims to support the digital transformation goals outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). “This strategic partnership allows us to actively champion the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda,” said Michael Chan, CEO, Zand. “We are empowering businesses to scale seamlessly, driving…

The UAE Cyber Security Council has partnered with QuantumGate to deploy the national Crypto Discovery Tool. The Abu Dhabi-built solution helps the country transition to quantum-safe security across critical national infrastructure. The platform automates the discovery of embedded cryptography, giving organisations a clear map of cryptographic assets across their digital environments. This visibility allows entities to manage cryptographic risk and build a structured path toward quantum resilience. Customised to requirements set by the UAE National Cryptography Center, the tool supports large-scale discovery and inventory management. It serves as a core component of the wider UAE National Post-Quantum Migration Programme. The…

Riyad Bank has partnered with Mastercard to launch a travel and expense corporate card programme, marking the bank’s first dedicated corporate card offering for the business segment in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration introduces two new card variants designed to address the payment and expense needs of companies operating in the region. The programme features a versatile corporate card for daily employee requirements and an executive card tailored for senior management. These payment solutions integrate with Mastercard’s expense management tools, giving businesses oversight to monitor spending, capture transaction data, and streamline account reconciliation. “We are very pleased to have teamed up…

Arib has raised US$23.5 million in a funding round led by Merak Capital to expand its digital financing marketplace in Saudi Arabia. The round includes Sharia-compliant Murabaha financing facilities, highlighting the continued demand for Islamic fintech products across the Kingdom. Founded in 2018 by Omar Alhammad, Mohamed Dessouky and Waleed Talat, Arib operates a platform that connects users with banks and licensed lenders. The system allows customers to compare offers and apply for financing based on their specific borrowing requirements. The company will use the new capital to expand its technology infrastructure and accelerate product development. Arib also plans to…

Mastercard has launched its startup acceleration programme, Mastercard Lighthouse, in the UAE to connect local AI and fintech companies with global banks. The initiative, launched in partnership with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, will target early-stage companies building AI-driven financial tools. The inaugural UAE edition will specifically seek out startups working on agentic commerce, personalisation, risk management, and MSME credit provision. By facilitating pilot projects, Mastercard intends to help established financial institutions adopt and scale new technologies while providing startups a pathway to commercialisation. The Middle East and North Africa region currently hosts around…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as a leading fintech hub in the Middle East, driven by a strategic push to diversify its economy away from oil dependence and a regulatory environment that actively encourages innovation. The government’s “We the UAE 2031” strategy prioritizes growth in knowledge-based industries like technology, logistics, and tourism to lower reliance on hydrocarbon exports. Simultaneously, autonomous financial free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) operate under independent legal systems, providing regulatory sandboxes for fintech and crypto startups. Saudi Arabia is rapidly catching up,…

Mawarid Finance and Maghanim are launching a Shariah-compliant B2B virtual card and expense management platform to help UAE companies automate corporate travel spending. The integrated platform allows businesses to book travel, issue instant virtual cards, and automate their expense reporting through a single digital ecosystem. The companies designed the solution to replace manual reconciliation processes, reduce fraud risks, and improve financial oversight for corporate clients. This rollout introduces a digital-first payment infrastructure tailored specifically for B2B transactions. The system gives companies greater control over their travel budgets by unifying booking and payment data. “Through this partnership, Maghanim is delivering secure,…

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers are fundamentally altering the local digital payments sector as consumer preference shifts away from traditional credit. The UAE is experiencing rapid growth in this space, supported by a formalised regulatory environment. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) introduced a regulatory framework for the sector to address the increasing demand for short-term credit products. This framework requires providers to operate either as Restricted License Finance Companies or as official agents of licensed banks. This regulatory clarity has allowed platforms to secure funding rounds and forge strategic partnerships locally. From consumer retail to B2B lending,…

Cantor, a global investment bank under Cantor Fitzgerald, has received approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to carry out regulated financial activities in the centre. The FSRA issued the approval through a Financial Services Permission (FSP). The authorisation marks a step in Cantor’s expansion in the Middle East, following the opening of its Abu Dhabi office in December 2025. “Establishing our presence in Abu Dhabi reflects Cantor’s long-term commitment to strategically important markets that are increasingly shaping global capital flows,” said Sage Kelly, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Investment Banking at Cantor. “The Middle…

Visa has launched the Visa Agentic Ready programme in Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), providing a controlled pathway for issuers to test agent-initiated transactions. The first phase focuses on issuer readiness, allowing financial institutions to evaluate how AI agents can complete transactions on behalf of consumers. The setup uses Visa’s foundational network capabilities, bringing together tokens, identity, risk, and controls into a production-grade testing environment. Dozens of regional banks and fintechs have enrolled in the initial testing phase. Some of the early issuing partners engaging in the programme include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Tabby,…