UAE's MGX, others in talks to invest $1B in French AI startup Mistral, while Saudi blockchain business registration jumps 51% YoY
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- MGX, others in talks to invest $1B in French AI startup Mistral
- ADIG, Banco do Brasil to collaborate on $100B development investment fund
- Mubadala in advanced discussions to buy $100M Revolut stake
- ICV-certified SMEs gain discounted access to e&'s digital offerings
- Digital community bank Ruya partners UK's DDCAP to boost Shariah-compliant offerings
- Blockchain business registration jumps 51% YoY
- SAMA e-commerce payments interface to integrate mada payments with global networks
- Awn Alraidah gets license to offer consumer microfinance services using fintech
- Future Investment Initiative organizer RA&A weighs IPO
- King Abdullah Financial District to double size, targets 40,000 daily visitors
- Shareholders back Egypt's 1st SPAC to acquire digital lender Qardy, Catalyst Partners Holding
- Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority's transformation into economic authority to help attract FDI
- Red Sea risk premiums stay elevated as Houthi attacks resume
- Internet connectivity improves, EGX trading to resume following data center fire
- CBE raises daily bank cash withdrawal limit to $10,000
- UAE banks provide $1B Islamic financing facility for Pakistani govt
- Temu raises prices following new Digital Presence Proceeds Tax
- E-commerce platform Bazaar acquires Keenu, bringing payments infra in-house
- Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan, JazzCash partner to expand digital payments for freelancers
- Govt targets reducing container dwell time by 70% through tech adoption
Other MENA+ Developments
- Du, Omantel activate 275-km Dubai-Oman subsea cable
- Iraq struggles to agree 2025 budget amidst oil prices, tariffs, conflict
- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait sign AI partnership
- World Bank says Syria GDP to return to growth in 2025 on FDI policies
- Dubai smart contact lens startup Xpanceo turns unicorn to support product development
Southeast Asia Developments
- Malaysian PM calls for ASEAN trade integration amidst tariff threats
- Temasek’s Mapletree eyes data center, logistics growth
- Grab launches autonomous shuttle bus trial
- Vietnam to offer unprecedented incentives for digital companies from beginning-2026
- Singapore ranks 4th globally for AI readiness, tech skills
India Developments
- NPCI offers financial incentives for banks to push RuPay credit cards to customers
- Jio BlackRock to launch 8 new funds, offering lower costs
- Krafton to invest in local talent pool, ecosystem growth
- AWS launches 10-week space accelerator programme
- Auto parts makers urge govt to develop national strategy on critical materials
