Author: Sharon Lewis

The UAE is emerging as a regional hub for fintech in the Middle East. Off to a strong start in 2021, the UAE is quickly its position as a leader in this space across the MENA region, providing a boost to fintech in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The general startup ecosystem in the UAE is already looking optimistic this year, with total funding in H1 2021 growing 69% year on year, according to Magnitt. Fintech investments reflected this growth, increasing 49% year on year. Meanwhile, the fintech sector emerged top of the leaderboard by the number of transactions in Q1…

Key developments in the Egyptian startup ecosystem have led to a renewed appetite for growth in the space, and for its fintech startups in Egypt as well. Much of this activity is attributed to a slew of policy level shifts. For instance, a new Egyptian Central Bank Law put in place last year addressed the regulation of a number of fintech sectors for the first time. These include cashless payments, digital banks, and cryptocurrency. More recently, the Egyptian cabinet recently approved a draft bill allowing the country’s Financial Regulatory Authority to license non-banking financial companies and fintech startups in Egypt.…

From a digital currency project, to a fintech innovation challenge, here’s what’s transpired for fintech in Bahrain during the year so far. Bahrain’s focus on the fintech sector is putting the country on the map as a hub for fintech both in the Middle East and worldwide. The island country is in a position to become a key fintech hub worldwide, according to a recent report. The report noted that fintech in Bahrain has seen a steep growth curve in the last two years. This is so particularly in the space of public-private collaboration. Further, it is home to over…