Tagged: middle east

October 1, 2021 @ 10:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global Processing Services (GPS), the Paytech Pioneer behind major Fintech challengers, reveals that it has established its MENA region office and hired payments professional, Arnav Rath, as Head of Region. Based in Dubai, the team will focus on leveraging its international reach and payments expertise… Read More

September 29, 2021 @ 1:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Citi (NYSE:C) has introduced a dedicated technology hub in Bahrain in order to develop its digital-first platforms. Citi’s management confirmed on September 27, 2021 (Monday) that they are establishing an international tech hub at their Bahrain offices. According to a report from Reuters, the tech… Read More

September 26, 2021 @ 6:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Velmie, a Fintech and banking software service provider, has launched an FX and cross-border transfers module that is connected to providers like Currencycloud, Rapyd, and Nium. Velmie’s white-label platform is currently capable of supporting international payments and funds transfers with customized integration. Global payments and… Read More

September 23, 2021 @ 10:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The newly formed financing firm in Saudi Arabia, Positive Facilities Co. Ltd. (Ejabiah), has reportedly entered an agreement with Path Solutions for the introduction of its interest-free Core banking platform. Ejabiah will be providing a unique 0% interest financing product, which is somewhat similar to… Read More

September 20, 2021 @ 10:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Saudi Arabia-headquartered virtual payment and point-of-sale (POS) solutions provider CashIn has reportedly acquired SAR 6 million (appr. $1.6 million) in capital through a seed round. CashIn’s investment round has been led by investor Mine. Saudi venture capital firm BIM Ventures also took part in the… Read More

September 13, 2021 @ 9:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The total number of point-of-sale (POS) and digital commerce transactions in Bahrain increased by 65% in August 2021 YoY, reaching an aggregate value of almost $744 million during the month, after topping $3.62 billion during H1 2021, the Central Bank of Bahrain has revealed. According… Read More

September 12, 2021 @ 10:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UAE-headquartered healthcare financing platform Klaim has acquired $1.6 million via a pre-Series A round. Klaim’s investment round has been led by Mad’a Investments, a private equity company based in Saudi Arabia. Other investors also made contributions to the round, including Arzan Venture Capital and Wealth… Read More

September 8, 2021 @ 8:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Three private equity funds and a select group of VCs have reportedly invested around $120 million in Egypt-based MNT-Halan, a microfinance lending and payments firm. As noted by its management: “MNT-Halan is Egypt’s largest and fastest growing lender to the unbanked. Founded in 2018, with… Read More

September 4, 2021 @ 6:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), an Islamic financial institution, reveals that it has introduced “Amwali,” which is an Islamic digital proposition meant for youth between the ages of 8 to 18. Amwali is described as a unique proposition that aims to bring together a suite… Read More

September 2, 2021 @ 9:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) reveals that it has taken an important step towards establishing a derivatives market in 2021 by entering an agreement with Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) in order to provide marketplace tech services, such as matching, real-time clearing and settlement technology. Abu… Read More

August 30, 2021 @ 1:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech investments are fueling growth in the MENA region’s digital economy as consumers increasingly begin to conduct cashless transactions, following the Coronavirus outbreak. The region’s financial technology space is also benefitting from updated regulatory guidelines that may be more conducive for growth, according to consultancy… Read More

August 30, 2021 @ 10:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently connected with James Wo, the Founder and CEO at Digital Financial Group, an investment company empowering Web 3.0 applications and blockchain or DLT -enabled platforms. Wo discussed the different products and services that his company supports. He also discussed the long-term impact that… Read More

August 24, 2021 @ 10:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

HSBC Qatar has introduced mobile payments and collections services for its personal and corporate clients, as part of its ongoing investment into digitizing banking services. These recent updates will aim to enable greater financial inclusion for the unbanked sector and  visitors in Qatar, which is… Read More

August 23, 2021 @ 10:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Arab Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East, has launched its Fintech-focused corporate accelerator program, called “AB Accelerator,” in Egypt, after its successful launch in Jordan in 2018. The launch of this Fintech-related program in Egypt comes as part of… Read More

August 22, 2021 @ 9:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has introduced the 5th edition of its flagship project,  Fintech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge. The challenge is reportedly a part of the upcoming Fintech Abu Dhabi festival – which is scheduled to take place in November 2021. The ADGM… Read More

August 19, 2021 @ 8:37 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ajar, a MENA region rental collection platform, reveals that it has expanded its business operations to the Kingdom of Bahrain. With an established presence in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the firm will be providing its property management and rent collection services in… Read More

August 19, 2021 @ 7:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

European Fintech solutions provider finleap has teamed up with Bahrain-based telecom firm Batelco in order to support Open Banking in the MENA region. Recently, Batelco became the very first GCC-headquartered firm to acquire an Open Banking license. Through this latest partnership, finleap will be extending… Read More

August 11, 2021 @ 9:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In what appears to be a first for the Central and Eastern European as well as the MENA region, Visa (NYSE: V) and Mashreq, a card acceptance service provider in the UAE, have teamed up to offer a “Rapid Seller Onboarding” program in the Middle… Read More

August 9, 2021 @ 9:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai-headquartered personal finance and investment platform Sarwa has acquired $15 million in capital through a Series B round. Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment company Mubadala Investment Company has led Sarwa’s latest investment round. Other investors that made contributions include 500 Startups, KIPCO, Shorooq Partners, MEVP, DIFC,… Read More

August 8, 2021 @ 6:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UAE-headquartered Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Fintech tabby has acquired $50 million in capital as part of its recent funding round. tabby’s Series B investment round has been led by Global Founders Capital and STV. Delivery Hero, CCVA and several other backers of tabby took… Read More