100M new digital users expected in MENA over next five years, while Paymob launches Saudi payment gateway services
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:

- Masdar doubles clean energy capacity to 20GW in two years
- Islamic banking continues to outpace conventional banking growth
- UAE posts world's fastest surge in UHNWIs at 18%
- Dubai completes biogas-to-energy project
- 100M new digital users expected in MENA over next five years

- Botswana backs Saudi 2030 expo bid
- Paymob launches payment gateway services
- Syria President Assad arrives in Jeddah for landmark Arab League summit
- Saudi GDP growth to top GCC in 2024
- Trade balance surplus improves for first time in nine months

- Foreign investors prioritized in latest legal reforms
- Govt plan to sell three 4.8GW power plants hits snag
- Infinity Power to develop plants sending renewable energy to Europe
- Fitch cuts long-term deposit ratings of four major banks
- EGP jumps 12% on black market, reversing trends

- Imran Khan says house under seige, under re-arrest imminent]
- Govt received $8.1B in foreign assistance this year, down from $13B
- SBP says banks to pay for funds lost to digital fraud
- Govt targets 30% EVs by 2030
- No progress on $800M pending for PTCL privatization
Other MENA+ Developments
- Lebanese Central Bank Governor urged to resign over French arrest warrant
- Syria, Sudan, Palestine crises top Arab League session agenda
- Qatar withdraws opposition to Saudi initiative to readmit Syria to Arab League
- Iraq able to meet just 15% of water needs by 2035
- GCC to maintain growth in 2023 with strong non-oil sector
Southeast Asia Developments
- Singapore-US trial shows distributed ledger can speed up cross-border payments
- Ayala, STT GDC to build Manila's largest data center
- Grab positive on reaching adjusted EBITDA positive by end-2023
- Malaysia drone industry still faces regulatory hurdles
- Gojek, Dat Bike partner to launch e-scooters in Vietnam
India Developments
- ONDC considering two levies to meet long-run costs
- India, UK struggle to make FTA progress over tariffs, investment rules
- RBI plans tough rules for digital payments companies with POS terminals
- Reliance Retail to bring Shein to India
- E-scooter industry expects subsidy cut to promote domination by premium makers