Swiss private bank Maerki Baumann & Co has received approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to open a branch in Abu Dhabi. The move expands the bank’s presence beyond Europe and aims to support blockchain and crypto companies with access to banking infrastructure. The Abu Dhabi branch will operate under the “ARCHIP” brand, providing corporate accounts, liquidity management, and services in trading, custody, staking, and digital asset management for private, institutional, and corporate clients. Local relationship managers will provide clients with easier access to the bank’s services, while the Tech Banking team in Zurich, which has…

Equiti Group, a Dubai-based fintech firm, has partnered with Checkout.com to expand Equiti Pay’s payment capabilities and improve acceptance rates. The partnership enables card deposits, pay-to-card transfers, and support for digital wallets including Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as cross-border transactions. Clients can expect faster funding, smoother withdrawals, and a broader range of payment options, with improved speed and reliability for time-sensitive domestic and international transactions. The collaboration combines Checkout.com’s global acquiring network and fraud-prevention technology with Equiti’s data-driven approach. Checkout.com uses AI and recent innovations to deliver scalable payment solutions, while Equiti brings market knowledge and client…

South African digital lender TymeBank has officially rebranded as GoTyme Bank, aligning its local operations with the branding used across the wider Tyme Group. The transition includes the launch of a new GoTyme Bank mobile app, which went live on 22 January and is being rolled out in phases. The bank said the migration is designed to prioritise system stability, security and customer experience. Existing customers are not required to open new accounts. Account details, balances and transaction histories have already been migrated, and customers can access their accounts by downloading the new app and logging in with their current…

ADGM Academy (ADGMA), the knowledge arm of ADGM, and Mawaheb Talent Hub, supported by the Department of Government Enablement (DGE) – Abu Dhabi, have announced an expansion of their partnership to address evolving labour market needs in the UAE. The 2026 programme will introduce new industry-aligned courses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, focusing on skills in high-demand sectors. New additions include the Software Development Accelerator Programme, Technology Infrastructure Programme, and Strategic Business Intelligence Programme, designed to equip Emiratis with future-ready skills. This year, ADGM Academy and Mawaheb will also strengthen efforts in government and semi-government employability. As part of…

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), digital banking has evolved from mere online portals to a highly integrated, AI-driven ecosystem that caters to an increasingly expanding segment of the population. According to a Capco survey, by 2024, nine in ten UAE residents (89%) had digital-first accounts. This figure represents a significant surge compared to the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region’s average digital banking usage of approximately 17% a few years ago, highlighting the rapid adoption of digital banking. Within this evolving landscape, traditional banks such as Emirates NBD and Mashreq are leading the charge by embracing the digital-only model, developing…

du Pay, the digital financial services arm of du, has partnered with Deem Finance, a regulated UAE financial institution, to introduce Flexi Cash Loan. The product offers fast access to short-term credit directly through the du Pay wallet. The service combines du Pay’s digital wallet ecosystem, Deem Finance’s regulated lending capabilities, and Airvantage’s credit decisioning technology. Together, they provide a fully digital lending experience. The aim is to simplify access to credit while maintaining transparency and customer protection. Fahad Al Hassawi, Chairman of du Pay, said: “We recognised a critical gap in the market where expat communities, who contribute significantly…

Etihad Airways is one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With its main base being at Zayed International Airport, in Abu Dhabi, it’s the second-largest airline in the country after Emirates, operating more than 1,000 flights per week, to over 120 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Etihad Airways’ frequent-flyer program, called Etihad Guest, lets members accumulate points called Guest Miles. These points can be redeemed for rewards, including free or discounted Etihad flights and seat upgrades, flights on Etihad Airways’ global airline partners, hotel stays,…

Network International has appointed Pinar Alpay as Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer. Alpay will lead the company’s product and marketing strategy, focusing on innovation, brand development, and customer engagement across all markets. She brings extensive international experience in fintech, payments, and product development. Prior to joining Network, Alpay was Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Signicat. She also held a senior executive role at Worldpay, where she led global payment strategy, oversaw technology transformation, expanded omnichannel operations, and managed strategic payment partnerships. Murat Cagri Suzer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Network International, said: “Pinar’s appointment strengthens our team and…

Robo-advisory platforms are rapidly gaining traction in the Middle East, with several local players recently joining the surge. Robo-advisors provide users with financial advice and portfolio management solutions through algorithms. These algorithms churn user data and personal preferences to provide advisory and tracking solutions, essentially automating the financial planning process for users. This technology is particularly useful and relevant to markets like the Middle East. This is because these platforms make investing more accessible, affordable, and scalable in a region where traditional wealth management has historically focused on high-net-worth (HNW) individuals. They appeal to the area’s young, digitally savvy population…

Shorooq, a tech-focused multi-strategy investment firm, has launched a US$200 million late-stage growth fund, backed by QIA and other investors, at Web Summit Qatar. The fund, part of the Qatalyst Series, targets companies with proven scale, solid fundamentals, and clear exit plans, particularly via IPO. Backed by QIA and supported by Shorooq’s network of sovereign and institutional partners across the GCC and Asia, the fund seeks to establish a more structured approach to late-stage and pre-IPO financing in the region. Shorooq intends for the Qatalyst Series to provide the long-term capital required to help private companies prepare for public markets.…

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has launched a contactless electronic payment acceptance service for smart devices, including mobile phones and tablets, using Soft POS applications. The move is part of the CBE’s strategy to reduce cash usage, promote financial inclusion, and support Egypt’s Vision 2030. The service allows smart devices to function as electronic acceptance points, enabling merchants to receive payments from various contactless cards. Merchants can download a Soft POS application on their devices, with card PINs entered securely in accordance with international standards. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, stated: “The new service aligns with the CBE’s…

Qatar Airways is an award-winning airline and the flag carrier of Qatar. From its hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar Airways operates more than 170 international routes, and ranks second in revenue, brand value, and available seat miles in the Middle East. Globally, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading and most highly-rated airlines. Qatar Airways’ frequent-flyer program, called Privilege Club, lets members accumulate points called Avios. Avios can be redeemed for flights with Qatar Airlines and its airline partners, cabin upgrades, extra baggage, and a variety of non‑flight rewards such as shopping, dining, hotel…

Uber has officially ceased operations in Tanzania as of 30 January, ending its ride-hailing services in the country. The company announced the decision, expressing regret for the disruption to daily commuters and thanking Tanzanians for their support since its launch in Dar es Salaam, according to The Kenya Times. “We have difficult news. Starting today, 30 Jan 2026, Uber services will no longer be available in Tanzania. We know this may be disappointing, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” it wrote to clients. Since entering the Tanzanian market, Uber provided residents with an alternative means of transport,…

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, opened Web Summit Qatar 2026 with a keynote outlining the country’s ambition to actively shape the future of technology and innovation. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Doha, he said the summit, now in its third edition, has grown into a key platform for the global technology and innovation community. He noted that it is also playing an increasing role in driving investment activity, according to Arab Founders. The Prime Minister added that Web Summit Qatar has helped position the country as a meeting…

Ooredoo Fintech has announced a strategic partnership with Western Union, integrating its services into the Ooredoo Money app. The rollout begins in Qatar, with plans to extend across the region. The integration enables Ooredoo Money customers in Qatar to access additional options for sending and receiving money, providing greater flexibility while using Ooredoo Money’s platform. The initiative forms part of Ooredoo Fintech’s ongoing efforts to promote digital financial inclusion and expand access to modern financial services across its markets. Aziz Fakhroo, Chairman of Ooredoo Fintech, said: “By integrating Western Union into the Ooredoo Money app, we are giving users greater…

Saudi Arabia has reclaimed its position as the leading destination for startup financing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, driven mainly by fintech and later-stage activity. New data released by Wamda, a startup market research platform and venture capital (VC) investor, show that venture funding and debt financing to Saudi tech startups surged to US$5 billion in 2025. This represents a staggering 400% year-over-year (YoY) increase from just US$1 billion in 2024, and accounts for 67% of the region’s total startup funding, which reached US$7.5 billion in 2025. The figure makes Saudi Arabia MENA’s top recipient of…

Located in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, Oman is Sultanate that borders the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Historically reliant on oil and gas, the country is actively diversifying its economy to create sustainable growth and reduce dependence on hydrocarbons. This transformation is guided by Oman Vision 2040, a development program first announced in 2020 and which seeks to achieve diversification across the economy, society, and culture for the period of 2021-2040. Central to this plan is the imperative of building a knowledge, technology-driven economy. In practice, this means investing in digital infrastructure, encouraging research and development (R&D),…

For frequent flyers, travel reward schemes are a compelling resource that allows them to save money on their travel experience, get nearly free flights and hotel stays, and take on luxury vacations that they would other be unwilling to spend cash on. In the Middle East, Emirates’ airline miles scheme, Skywards, is amongst the largest loyalty programs, providing members with exclusive benefits and privileges across a global network of partners of airlines, hotels and retailers. Though commonly, the basic way to earn Skywards Miles is to fly often, members can also earn miles by signing up for a Skywards credit…

OFZA Fintech Virtual Asset Exchange (OFZA), a UAE-based regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP), has entered into a non-binding strategic collaboration with Trakx, a global fintech company registered with the French financial markets regulator (AMF). The collaboration focuses on research and industry discussion around thematic virtual asset index methodologies. As virtual asset markets mature, institutional and professional participants are increasingly assessing structured, rules-based approaches. These approaches support the analysis of market segments, portfolio construction and risk characteristics. In traditional finance, market participants use index methodologies to support comparability and disciplined analysis. Similar frameworks are now being examined in virtual asset…

Beltone Venture Capital has made an equity investment in Yakeey as part of the startup’s US$15 million Series A round, the largest Series A funding round completed in Morocco to date. Yakeey provides a digital platform for real estate transactions, integrating property search, valuation, brokerage and financing. The platform uses proprietary data and a network of brokers to streamline property buying, selling and financing in Morocco. The company, founded by a team with local market experience, has shown early scalability and aims to expand regionally as demand for digitised real estate services grows in North Africa. Beltone Venture Capital joins…