The UAE Cabinet has approved support for the launch of Google Cloud’s first Cybersecurity Excellence Centre in Abu Dhabi. The centre is the result of a collaboration between the UAE Cybersecurity Council and Google Cloud. The Cybersecurity Excellence Centre will focus on collaboration, training, and talent development. It aims to foster partnerships with global academic institutions, deliver role-based cybersecurity training, and build local expertise. Training will be delivered by Mandiant, part of Google Cloud, offering immersive, scenario-based learning based on real-world cyberattacks. Dr. Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said: “Our collaboration will not only help…

Basata Holding for Financial Payments, a Cairo-based fintech company specialising in digital payment solutions, has launched the “Basata Card” in partnership with Connect Money, another Egypt-based fintech firm focused on banking and financial technology services. The new card aims to support both individual consumers and merchants by offering secure and efficient financial transactions, in line with the country’s push towards a cashless, digital economy. The company plans to continue developing and adding new features, with a stated focus on improving the user experience and strengthening Egypt’s digital payments infrastructure. The Basata Card allows users to withdraw cash from ATMs across…

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has granted BPay Global a Payment Service Provider (PSP) license to operate in the Kingdom of Bahrain. BPay Global, a payment services company within the Binance Group, is now authorised to offer fiat-related services to Binance users worldwide. These services include fiat top-ups and withdrawals, custody, and other payment solutions. The license enables Binance users to open an e-wallet and conduct fiat top-ups via bank transfers or debit/credit card payments on the platform. Additionally, BPay Global is permitted to hold fiat currency on behalf of customers. Abdulla Haji, Director of the Licensing Directorate at…

Plus500, a London-based multi-asset fintech group, has launched a new subsidiary in the UAE, Plus500Gulf Securities, under a mainland license issued by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). The SCA license allows Plus500 to broaden its customer acquisition efforts across the UAE mainland and expand its local product offering. This includes the potential introduction of services beyond contracts for difference (CFDs), such as share dealing, futures, and options on futures. Prior to this, Plus500 had been operating in the UAE under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license through the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for two years. With the…

Sipay, a payments and embedded finance platform based in Turkey, has raised US$78 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its valuation to over US$875 million. The round was led by Elephant VC, with participation from QuantumLight, the venture capital firm founded by Nik Storonsky. The company reported a fivefold increase in revenue year-on-year and closed the year with a US$600 million revenue run rate. This follows its US$15 million Series A round in June 2024, which was led by Anfa. Sipay plans to use the new funding to support its international expansion, particularly in emerging markets. The company…

The adoption of AI in the Middle Eastern banking sector could significantly contribute to regional economic growth, potentially adding as much as 13.6% to GDP by 2030, according to industry analysts. Finastra’s Financial Services State of the Nation 2024 survey reveals that banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are already accelerating their deployment of AI, positioning the region for potentially substantial economic and operational advancements. The report highlights that the UAE ranks among the top global adopters of AI in financial services, with 71% of its institutions having deployed or enhanced AI capabilities in the past year, supported by…

Although fintech remains a relatively nascent sector in Qatar, the industry is growing steady pace, fueled by increased adoption of digital payments and conducive government initiatives. In this article, we take a look at some of Qatar’s most prominent and influential fintech companies, exploring their value propositions, and delving into their recent milestones. For this list, we focus on private, independent fintech companies headquartered in Qatar, excluding those that have been acquired or which are affiliated with major banks, telecom providers, or established entities, such as Ooredoo Fintech, a subsidiary of Ooredoo Group, iPay by Vodafone Qatar’s Infinity Payment Solutions,…

Haball, a supply chain financing and payments fintech in Pakistan, has raised a US$52 million pre-Series A funding round, consisting of both equity investment and strategic financing. The equity portion, valued at US$5 million, was led by Zayn VC, Pakistan’s prominent venture capital firm. Additional investors included Majlis Advisory SPV, several private investors from Saudi Arabia, angel investors, and a large business conglomerate. The strategic financing component, amounting to US$47 million, was provided by Meezan Bank. This funding round follows Haball’s deliberate approach to responsible fundraising since its establishment in 2017. The company’s positive unit economics, strategic focus, and track…

Former Binance CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has been appointed as a strategic advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council, according to local media reports. The council, established in March 2025, seeks to oversee blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives in the country, according to Tech In Asia. Zhao will provide guidance on crypto infrastructure, education, and adoption. On April 3, Zhao stated on X that he offers “guidance to governments on crypto regulations and blockchain solutions,” while steering clear of political involvement. The Pakistan Crypto Council is part of a broader national effort to expand the country’s blockchain ecosystem and draw in international…

e& Egypt has unveiled its first instant international money transfer service through the e& Cash digital wallet. This new feature enables users to receive money instantly and securely from the UAE and Saudi Arabia – eliminating the need to visit physical branches or rely on intermediaries. With this move, e& Egypt becomes the first entity within the regional e& Group network to introduce such a service, offering a fully digital and seamless experience. The innovation supports the Central Bank of Egypt’s broader strategy to enhance financial inclusion and reduce dependence on cash-based transactions. Launched in partnership with Banque du Caire,…

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced the official launch of Pakistan’s first digital wallet-based aid distribution programme, a Rs. 20 billion (US$71 million) initiative rolled out as part of the 2025 Ramadan Relief Package. Speaking to the media, Minister Shaza said the programme was initiated following direct instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who tasked the IT and food security ministries with finding digital methods to manage government subsidy schemes. “This initiative is a turning point in how we deliver support to the public – efficient, transparent, and respectful,” she said. “The Prime Minister…

Fuse, a Dubai-based company developing infrastructure for cross-border payments in the MENA and GCC regions has raised US$6.6 million in a funding round led by Northzone, with participation from Flourish Ventures, Alter Global, and several angel investors, including the founder of Flutterwave. The company is building foundational infrastructure for cross-border payments in the MENA and GCC regions. Co-founder and CEO George Davis is a serial entrepreneur with a background in global payments, having previously held senior roles at TrueLayer, Paymentsense, and BVNK. Expanding into the MENA region has traditionally involved high costs and complex processes, with each country operating its…

Egypt’s fintech sector has experienced remarkable growth over the past years, emerging as one of the largest and most established fintech ecosystems in Africa. In 2024, Egypt accounted for 10% of all fintech operators in Africa, ranking fourth on the continent behind Nigeria (28%), South Africa (20%) and Kenya (16%), according to a 2024 report by the European Investment Bank (EIB). In terms of funding, Egypt consistently attracts a considerable share of fintech funding. In 2024, the country led fintech investment, securing 35% of fintech funding in Africa, according to a recent report by FutureMatters and the Global Finance and…

Bank Frick, based in Liechtenstein, is expanding its international presence with plans to open a branch in Dubai’s finance and growth market. The bank has applied for a category 4 licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and expects to receive it in 2025. The new branch will be located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Edi Wögerer, CEO of Bank Frick, explained, “Dubai has successfully positioned itself as a blockchain and crypto hub in recent years, but is also becoming increasingly attractive for asset managers and family offices. At the same time, Dubai is a growth market…

Compared to more established and larger fintech markets like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Saudi Arabia, Bahrain has a smaller and more modest fintech ecosystem, with about 115 active fintech companies. But despite its relatively nascent stage, Bahrain has managed to foster the growth of several fintech firms that have gained significant prominence. Today, we take a look at some of its largest and most influential fintech companies, highlighting the ventures that have significantly contributed to the innovation of the Bahraini financial services industry. For this list, we focus on private, independent fintech companies headquartered in Bahrain, excluding those…

The Ajman Transport Authority, in partnership with BPC, has introduced an open-loop, contactless payment system for public transport buses. BPC is a global provider of payment solutions, specialising in smart digital ecosystems for banking, transport, and e-government services. The system, powered by BPC’s O-CITY platform, aims to modernise fare collection and improve efficiency in Ajman’s transport sector. Passengers can now pay using bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and wearable devices. Smart payment devices have been installed on all public buses, with the service currently available on internal routes and plans to extend to external routes. The “Masaar Travel” app…

Pedro Sousa Cardoso has announced his departure from Emirates NBD after serving as Chief Digital Officer for three and a half years. During his tenure, he led the bank’s digital transformation efforts, introducing a new agile operating model and overseeing initiatives aimed at strengthening market position. “Our digital transformation was about more than technology – it was about people, strategy, and execution,” said Sousa Cardoso. “We built a strong foundation for digital growth, improved automation and customer engagement, and delivered measurable value across multiple markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, London, Singapore, and India.” His time at Emirates NBD…

Kazakhstan’s largest e-commerce group, Kaspi.kz, has signed an agreement to acquire the Turkish operations of Netherlands-based agricultural bank Rabobank, according to a statement released by Kaspi on 27 March. The statement did not disclose any financial details of the acquisition but noted that the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval. “The transaction is not material. Rabobank A.Ş. is a fully licensed bank in Türkiye, which has neither borrowing nor depositing clients, nor a branch network,” the statement read. Rabobank established its Turkish subsidiary in 2013. It ranks as the 40th largest lender in the Turkish banking sector, with total assets…

Short-term rental operators now have an innovative way to boost their revenue streams with the launch of AdVision Connect, a groundbreaking smart TV platform that transforms existing televisions into interactive advertising and guest service hubs. Monetizing Existing Hardware Property managers can now leverage their existing smart TVs to generate additional income without purchasing specialized equipment. The platform runs natively on most television brands and Android devices, significantly reducing implementation barriers and costs. “The system works with existing hardware that businesses already have in place,” said Trent Challis, the platform’s developer. “There’s no need to invest in proprietary equipment. It’s designed…

Presight, a big data analytics company powered by AI, has signed a MoU with Microsoft to support the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator. The UAE-based programme aims to assist AI startups in commercial development, providing access to technology resources, networking opportunities within the UAE, the G42 ecosystem, and Presight’s global markets, as well as potential venture funding. Microsoft will support the initiative through its Founders Hub, offering technical expertise, mentorship, and market acceleration. Startups in the accelerator will have access to high-performance computing, cloud services, and foundational AI models, including large language models (LLMs) and generative AI-powered analytics. Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of…