Tagged: mena region

September 14, 2023 @ 8:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance collaborate “to spur skill development in the regional financial sector” Described as a “first-of-its-kind” collaboration, Mastercard and the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance will aim to “initiate a renewed understanding of the latest industry… Read More

September 9, 2023 @ 12:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central Asian fintech Alif makes its mark in the UAE with Alif Pay, providing financial services and global remittance for UAE residents. Digital transformation professional Shafique Ibrahim takes on the role as Alif Pay’s CEO, spearheading the launch and “reinforcing the platform’s innovative approach to financial… Read More

September 7, 2023 @ 10:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Fintech Saudi have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding during Seamless Saudi Arabia 2023 “to advance the growth and development of the Saudi Arabia fintech industry.” The announcement marks another step “towards powering an inclusive digital economy and advancing… Read More

September 6, 2023 @ 9:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD has announced it invested in Komgo, a software development and technology services company transforming the trade finance industry. The equity investment was “made by Emirates NBD‘s Innovation Fund, the bank’s corporate venture fund.” Emirates NBD’s corporate venture capital arm will “enable the Group… Read More

September 6, 2023 @ 12:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Network International, the enabler of digital commerce across the MEA region, has announced a partnership with J.P. Morgan Payments in order “to strengthen the bank’s acquiring offering.” J.P. Morgan Payments currently “operates in over 160 countries and over 120 currencies and is one of the… Read More

September 3, 2023 @ 4:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has reportedly licensed “Alhulul AlMubassatah Financial Company (SiFi)” to provide E-wallet solutions. With SiFi, there are now 25 licensed companies “offering payment services in Saudi Arabia, in addition to 7 companies that have obtained initial approval to operate within SAMA’s… Read More

August 30, 2023 @ 8:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA’s leading shopping and financial services app, has announced the arrival of Tabby Shop, its new all-encompassing shopping tool, “marking the most significant change on the Tabby app since its launch.” The new app is a one-stop-shop “showcasing over 500,000 products from thousands… Read More

August 28, 2023 @ 9:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has announced today an investment of ₹ 8,278 crore (approx. $1bln) into Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance Industries). QIA’s investment “will translate into a minority equity stake of 0.99% in RRVL on a fully-diluted… Read More

August 25, 2023 @ 10:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE:RSKD) has established a Global Centre for Advanced AI and Cyber Technology in Dubai. The UAE’s Artificial intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office and Mastercard signed a Memorandum of Understanding “to increase Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and readiness in the region.” An… Read More

August 24, 2023 @ 10:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE:RSKD), a global technology company, is partnering with UAE-founded spend management fintech company Qashio in order “to launch corporate credit cards, while enabling them with virtual issuance capabilities across the region.” The strategic partnership aims “to make the future of expense management cashless, transparent… Read More

August 19, 2023 @ 10:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The new virtual asset platform M2 has been officially granted a Financial Services Permission (FSP) license in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and is now “approved to operate a multilateral trading facility and offer custody services to… Read More

August 14, 2023 @ 8:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licensed “Loan” to provide consumer microfinance solutions through financial technology. With Loan, there are now six authorized companies “offering consumer microfinance solutions in Saudi Arabia.” This decision reflects SAMA‘s endeavor “to support the finance sector, increase efficiency of financial transactions,… Read More

August 4, 2023 @ 11:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world, and Tabby, the MENA region’s shopping and financial services app, have announced a partnership “to provide travelers with flexible payment solutions, allowing flynas’ customers to pay for their… Read More

August 1, 2023 @ 11:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH), founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), has announced the final list of FinTech Startups to join Wave 5 of its Incubator and Accelerator Programs. The series is part of QDB’s efforts “to support startups in their entrepreneurial journey through various programs… Read More

August 1, 2023 @ 10:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has announced the launch of its Corporate Online Banking platform, heralding “a new phase of financial empowerment and security for its corporate customer.” The launch falls in line with the Bank’s commitment “to digital innovation and expanding its modern banking solutions.”… Read More

July 31, 2023 @ 4:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance, which is being sued by US regulators for a wide range of issues, is pleased to announce that their Dubai subsidiary, Binance FZE, has reportedly become the first exchange “to receive the Operational Minimum Viable Product (MVP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority… Read More

July 25, 2023 @ 9:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued the Annual Performance Report of the Saudi Finance Companies Sector 2022. The report outlines the sector’s key developments and financial results in 2022. According to the report, most indicators in the finance companies sector “grew at varying rates in… Read More

July 23, 2023 @ 11:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Flash, Egypt’s cashless payments app, completed a $6 million seed round led by Addition along with participation from Flourish Ventures and other angel investors. This funding from the investment round will be used “to accelerate the startup’s product development and customer & business acquisition in… Read More

July 23, 2023 @ 4:58 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Nomura announced the expansion of its International Wealth Management business with new premises in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial hub in the MENA and South Asia region. Nomura announced last year that it would “open a branch of Nomura Singapore Limited in… Read More

July 16, 2023 @ 7:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of Vision 2030, and Saudi Arabia is committed to achieving its net-zero target by 2060; however, “the adoption of sustainability considerations remains its initial stages in Saudi Arabia.” As the concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) gains momentum in… Read More