IHC buys UAE's top SME financing firm eFunder, while SDAIA, Shareek to conduct market studies, develop AI-aligned business models in KSA
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- IHC buys UAE's top SME financing firm eFunder
- Network International to integrate Wio Bank digital SME loan products
- Telr, Peko launch new SMEs tech solutions platform offering QR payments, BNPL
- dnata launches autonomous vehicle fleet at Dubai World Central airport
- Joby expands eVTOL manufacturing following Dubai test flight
- SDAIA, Shareek to conduct market studies, develop AI-aligned business models
- FII Institute CEO reportedly resigns, to be replaced by acting CEO Richard Attias
- Govt aims to expand railway network by 50% with transport strategy
- Zscaler boosts data center footprint as demand rises
- Spotify becomes Esports World Cup's official audio streaming partner
- Govt targets $3B in asset sales in FY25-26, up from $600M last year
- NBE's Al Ahly Capital plans acquisitions to enter NBFC, consumer finance segments
- Military-linked agency to launch new national commodity exchange
- Egypt, Jordan partner to exchange geological data for minerals exploration
- UAE's Sky AD launches $1.62B project in Ras El Hekma
- Solar buyback tariffs may be cut by 60% to save $15B in 10 years
- SECP launches draft policy to boost access to finance for women entrepreneurs
- PTCL to support TPL Corp on data center solutions
- Temu prices surge amid new taxes on online sellers
- ADB advises govt to adopt 5% GST for all digital transactions
Other MENA+ Developments
- Gulf IPOs down 6% in H1 to $3.4B, even as Saudi listings grow 36% to $2.8B
- KSA leads regional VC activity with $860M raised in H1
- Bahrain, US firms sign $17B in deals covering tech, industry, investment
- Tamara partners EazyPay to support Bahrain BNPL expansion
- Morocco begins 5G licensing process
Southeast Asia Developments
- Chinese consumer brands accelerate expansion, leveraging e-commerce strength
- TESA partners Infineon to create new AI platform to support Thai startups
- Malaysia in discussions to ease foreign ownership limits to support tariff talks
- Philippine central bank plans guidelines for small "digital-centric" banks
- US, Indonesia reach trade agreement with 19% tariff
