Dubai to soon get first vertiport, PIF cuts Meta, Shopify, PayPal stakes, Xiaomi leads SEA smartphone market, India to cut taxes
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Joby to complete first vertiport at Dubai Airport by Q1 2026
- Emirates NBD becomes UAE's first general clearing member for equity markets
- UAE achieves 100% internet penetration, mobile ownership at 203 for 100 residents
- DWF Labs launches UAE's first crypto-backed mortgage
- Mubadala Capital completes CI Financial acquisition
- STC's center3 targets 1GW of data centers by 2030 with $10B investment plan
- PIF cut stakes in Meta, Shopify, PayPal in Q2
- Saudia in advanced discussions to install Starlink internet service
- Aramco strikes $11B gas leaseback deal with BlackRock consortium
- Jeddah, Madinah only two major Middle East cities designated as WHO's “Healthy Cities”
- FRA introduces new Basel III-aligned solvency standards for NBFCs
- Egyypt to grow gas production with increased foreign investment, reversing decline since 2022
- Haier to expand Egypt manufacturing range, adding vacuum cleaners, refrigerators
- BNPL now accounts for 60% of Valu's GMV
- Schneider Electric, Enactus to boost youth’s role in energy transition
- SECP updates Public Offering Regulations to streamline IPO processes
- Commerce Minister forms auto sector committee to boost local manufacturing
- World's first news channel using AI-based production launches
- Zong 4G begins deploying high speed ZTE antenna tech
- Social media accounts linked to banned groups reported, blocked
Other MENA+ Developments
- Absa selects Network International as digital payments tech partner
- Zand to adopt Mastercard Move to support cross-border transfers
- Jordan's electronic wallet transfers hit $5B in 7 months
- Sony invests in Esports World Cup to boost MENA engagement
- Cisco to establish AI, cybersecurity excellence center in Morocco's International University of Rabat
Southeast Asia Developments
- Xiaomi becomes Southeast Asia's top smartphone brand in Q2
- VinFast to sell R&D assets in $1.5B deal
- Philippine e-wallets, payment apps ordered to remove links to online gambling
- Consumer groups push back on Bank Indonesia's Payment ID over privacy issues
- Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore jobs as it targets $80M fundraise
