MoneyHash, a payment orchestration platform, has partnered with WalaOne, a multi-partner digital loyalty wallet in Saudi Arabia, to provide merchants with access to loyalty and rewards through a unified infrastructure. The collaboration integrates MoneyHash’s orchestration layer with WalaOne’s wallet, which aggregates loyalty points from multiple programmes. Through MoneyHash’s unified API, merchants can access WalaOne as easily as they connect payment gateways, wallets, or buy-now-pay-later providers. This approach eliminates the need for separate integrations, contracts, or in-house loyalty logic. WalaOne users can earn points across different merchants. They can redeem these points for rewards, discounts, gift cards, airline miles, or purchase…

Türkiye’s digital asset platform Paribu has acquired CoinMENA, the largest crypto exchange in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in a deal valued at up to US$240 million. The transaction marks Türkiye’s largest fintech deal to date and its first cross-border acquisition of a digital asset platform. Through CoinMENA, which is licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Central Bank of Bahrain, Paribu will operate under two active digital asset licenses. Paribu, a Turkish fintech firm, has pursued growth focused on regulatory compliance and product development. In 2024, it launched Paribu Custody, Türkiye’s first digital asset…

SlashData, a First.tech company and AI digital solutions provider, has partnered with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), to launch Shary, a digital escrow service for vehicle ownership transfers within the federal licensing system. The initiative involves cooperation with TAMM, the Abu Dhabi Government Services Platform, and Abu Dhabi Police. Shary allows individuals to complete the resale process, from payment to title transfer, through a single digital platform. Funds are held in a digital escrow account until both parties confirm completion, providing a secure and transparent handover process. The service integrates…

Velmie, a digital banking technology partner supporting financial innovation across Africa, together with Metro Cable, announced the outstanding success of Vult, Sierra Leone’s fast-growing super app that has transformed access to financial services across the country. Powered by Velmie’s modern digital banking core, Vult surpassed 475,000+ active users including both individuals and merchants within its first 12 months of launch, marking one of the most significant fintech growth stories in West Africa. To celebrate this achievement and share learnings with the African fintech community, Velmie and Metro Cable will host a live panel discussion on December 11. The webinar will…

As central banks in the US and Europe shift from tightening to measured easing, Dubai’s real estate market has shown resilience, supported by solid fundamentals. Disciplined regulation, strong liquidity, and a high proportion of cash transactions have helped the market remain stable even as international investors adopt a more selective approach. Elite Merit Real Estate analysis shows that cash buyers accounted for around 54% of residential property transactions in the second half of 2025. This figure underscores the dominance of liquidity-driven purchases. After two years of high global borrowing costs, central banks in the US and Europe have signalled a…

Ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, COINPAYMENTS, a global digital payment gateway, will become a global partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. The company will also serve as the team’s Global Digital Payments Processing Partner. The COINPAYMENTS logo will feature on the AMR25 car and the team’s race suits, debuting on the headrest side of the car in Abu Dhabi. The teams unveiled the partnership by transporting an Aston Martin Aramco Formula One car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on a superyacht. The COINPAYMENTS and Aston Martin Aramco teams will also…

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has formed a strategic partnership with Emirates NBD to support family businesses and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) within the DIFC Family Wealth Centre. Under the agreement, Emirates NBD Private Banking will work with DIFC Family Wealth Centre to provide frameworks for governance, tax structuring, and succession planning aimed at long-term sustainability and legacy preservation. The collaboration will also include educational programmes, workshops, and resources covering family governance, succession planning, and family office structures. Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said: “DIFC provides world-class structures and advisory access that enable families to safeguard wealth and…

bolttech has acquired Kenya-based digital insurance platform mTek, strengthening its presence in East Africa and expanding its global embedded insurance capabilities. Founded in 2019, mTek offers a digital platform that lets customers in Kenya compare, purchase and manage insurance online. The company works with GA Insurance, Sanlam and Britam, and in September announced a collaboration with Mastercard to introduce embedded insurance solutions across East Africa. Its platform is designed to improve access to insurance through simple, transparent and paperless experiences. bolttech said it will integrate mTek’s technology and local market expertise into its global insurance and protection ecosystem. The acquisition…

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is experiencing a rapid expansion of its fintech ecosystem, fueled by supportive government initiatives, rapid digital adoption, and continued capital inflows. During 2023 and 2024, US$1.9 billion was invested across 237 deals, according to McKinsey. This momentum carried out into 2025, with a total of US$598 million secured across 93 deals in the first half of the year, data from Magnitt show. This growth has been driven by the region’s a young, tech-savvy population eager for more convenient financial services, a large unbanked and underbanking population, and strong government backing, particularly in…

The UAE has launched the ‘AI for Development’ initiative, a US$1 billion programme to support AI projects in African countries. The initiative aims to enhance economic and social development by improving digital infrastructure, government services, and productivity. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, announced the initiative at the G20 summit, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to sustainable growth through international partnerships and innovative financing. The initiative will be implemented by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), part of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, in cooperation with the UAE Foreign Aid Agency. It seeks…

Ringier, a Switzerland-based digital media and marketplace group, has consolidated its digital marketplaces portfolio in Sub-Saharan Africa by selling its Kenyan real estate platform, BuyRentKenya, to Rushbox, which operates property platforms in Mauritius and Zimbabwe. The move supports Ringier’s strategy to focus on its core jobs and general classifieds businesses under The African Talent Company (TATC). The sale marks a shift for BuyRentKenya, previously run as a standalone real estate platform within Ringier’s African portfolio. Axel Konjack, Head of Marketplaces at Ringier, said: “Rushbox, led by African tech entrepreneur Garth Drummond, brings significant experience in operating real estate marketplaces in…

JRNY will host the Fintech Industry Retreat 2025 – Volume 4 from December 3 to 6 in El Gouna, in partnership with the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and sponsored by Raya Data Center, Farida | Coldwell Banker, and Lucky. The event will bring together 120 to 140 senior leaders from fintech startups, banks, financial institutions, regulators, investors, and ecosystem enablers. The retreat builds on previous editions as a forum for discussion on the development of Egypt’s financial technology sector. This year’s program focuses on collaboration among startups, corporates, investors, and policymakers, as well as financial inclusion and expanding access to…

Wise has received conditional regulatory approval to launch its services in South Africa, marking its first expansion into the African continent. The move is expected to make international money transfers faster, more affordable, and more transparent for millions of South Africans, broadening access to digital financial services in the region. According to TechAfrica News, Wise’s entry into South Africa comes shortly after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the country during the G20 summit. Commenting on the development, the Prime Minister highlighted that the expansion strengthens ties with one of Africa’s most dynamic economies and showcases British expertise in…

Beyon Solutions, part of the Beyon Group, has signed a MoU with Bahrain Fintech Bay to support cloud adoption and advance digital transformation across Bahrain’s financial services sector. Under the MoU, Bahrain Fintech Bay will introduce Beyon Solutions’ digital, technical, and operational services to its network of startups, scale-ups, and international firms entering the market. Both parties will collaborate on knowledge-sharing initiatives, workshops, and ecosystem programmes aimed at helping fintech companies establish, operate, and expand more effectively within Bahrain. The partnership is intended to provide firms with the infrastructure, tools, and guidance needed to support long-term growth. Nicholas Toon, CEO…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads the world in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with 59.4% of the country’s working-age population using the technology, according to a new report by Microsoft. The UAE joins Singapore (58.6%), Norway (45.3%), and Ireland (41.7%) as the world’s leaders in AI adoption, demonstrating that strong infrastructure, policy coordination, and digital readiness can drive rapid AI uptake. Propelled by government backing These nations aren’t traditionally known as AI powerhouses, hosting no world-renowned AI leaders, nor major foundational-model labs. Yet, they are seeing rapid AI uptake, underscoring how strategic public investment, national digital strategies, and coordinated policy…

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements have transformed from a simple payment option into a mainstream financial tool that gives consumers greater flexibility while helping merchants boost conversion rates and basket sizes. Looking ahead, the industry is poised to witness continued momentum and evolution, fueled by increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), expansion beyond traditional retail categories, and the rise of the “super-app” model, according to a new report by Amazon Payment Services, in collaboration with MENA’s BNPL leaders Tabby and Tamara from Saudi Arabia, as well as Valu from Egypt. BNPL…

Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement capabilities across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) through a partnership with Aquanow, a digital assets infrastructure and liquidity provider. The collaboration integrates Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure with Visa’s technology stack, allowing issuers and acquirers on Visa’s network to settle transactions using approved stablecoins such as USDC. The move aims to reduce costs, operational friction, and settlement times for participating financial institutions. Demand for faster and more cost-efficient cross-border settlement has grown among banks and payment providers. In response, Visa is using stablecoins to digitise backend money movement and support…

Vodacom Tanzania has launched M-Pesa Global Payment, enabling cross-border transactions and supporting digital financial inclusion. In partnership with Visa, Alipay, Network International, Magnati, Thunes, TerraPay, and MTN Uganda, M-Pesa customers can now make international payments directly from the M-Pesa menu or Super App. Users can conduct Tap & Pay transactions via the M-Pesa Visa tokenised card, pay merchants in China through Alipay, transact with Dubai-based merchants via TerraPay, and send payments to MTN MoMo wallets in Uganda. Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, said, “Together, we are enabling people and businesses to transact across borders with the same ease…

Riyadh-based alternative financing platform erad has partnered with Jefferies, with co-investment from Channel Capital, to secure US$125 million in a credit facility aimed at expanding embedded finance solutions across the GCC. Once finalised, the transaction will mark Jefferies’ first GCC asset-backed financing deal and support its plans to grow its presence in Saudi Arabia. The facility builds on erad’s sixfold year-on-year growth and over US$700 million in funding requests. It provides capacity to meet rising demand from SMEs in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. Funds for Saudi SMEs will be deployed via CMA-licensed direct financing funds managed by Erad…

Huru, a UAE-based and Central Bank–licensed fintech platform focused on unbanked and underbanked communities, has launched Quick Cash, an instant microfinance feature developed with Mawarid Finance. The product supports Huru’s aim of providing transparent and affordable financial tools to people with limited access to traditional banking. Huru has built an ecosystem centred on financial inclusion. Its services include zero-balance IBAN accounts, Visa ATM cards, bill payments, in-app remittances, and Saving Pots. Quick Cash adds short-term, regulated finance to this range of tools. The launch follows recent updates to the Central Bank’s framework, which broaden eligibility for personal lending. The changes…