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Spotlight 🔦

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The UAE&#8217;s Ministry of Finance reports 82% of businesses are classified as microenterprises. 
These small firms are vital to the UAE economy, driving local innovation and vibrancy. 
Authorities have introduced tax exemptions for firms earning below AED 375,000 annually. 
The government balances necessary tax reforms with support to prevent small businesses from struggling. 
Such measures ensure microenterprises remain key players in the UAE&#8217;s diversified economy.

The &#8220;Shaping Egypt AI Horizon&#8221; forum highlighted Egypt&#8217;s National AI Strategy running from 2025 to 2030. 
Minister Dr Amr Talaat emphasised collaboration between government, private businesses, and startups for AI growth. 
ITIDA is connecting startups, government, and investors to enhance Egypt’s tech scene. 
500 Global is boosting AI integration in startups to drive innovation. 
Egypt aims to train 30,000 AI specialists and increase public AI adoption by 36%.

Mila Celebrations, launched in 2024, provides hassle-free event planning services in Saudi Arabia. 
The startup, founded by a team of Saudi entrepreneurs, covers Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar. 
Co-founders aim to remove stress from planning corporate and personal events. 
Mila is rapidly gaining attention in Saudi Arabia&#8217;s evolving startup ecosystem. 
It&#8217;s an exciting newcomer, poised to make waves with seamless event organisation.

Lobna Helal is the first woman to chair Telecom Egypt, marking a historic milestone. 
Helal&#8217;s extensive background includes deputy governor at Egypt&#8217;s Central Bank, showcasing her expertise. 
She aims to continue Telecom Egypt&#8217;s sustainable growth and build on Dr Osman&#8217;s strong foundation. 
Mohamed Nasr begins his second term as managing director and CEO, focusing on digital innovation. 
This leadership change promises significant advancements for Telecom Egypt and Egypt&#8217;s digital landscape.

Bahrain&#8217;s &#8220;Al Munther&#8221; satellite has successfully entered its operational phase, marking a milestone. 
Launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9, it signifies progress in Bahrain&#8217;s space technology capabilities. 
Rigorous tests ensure core systems, like communication and orientation, function reliably in orbit. 
The team works within tight communication windows due to the satellite&#8217;s orbit path. 
Upon completion of all tests, the satellite will begin its scientific and technical missions.

Morocco&#8217;s &#8216;DigiSchool 2025&#8217; programme launches to enhance digital integration in education. 
1,800 teachers will train in AI, robotics, and augmented reality for classroom innovation. 
36,000 pupils will join DigiSchool clubs, fostering creativity across 248 schools nationwide. 
The initiative aligns with Morocco&#8217;s roadmap for educational modernisation and digital careers. 
DigiSchool supports Morocco&#8217;s &#8220;Digital 2030&#8221; strategy to build a tech powerhouse in Africa.

Amazon has officially submitted a bid to acquire TikTok&#8217;s U,S, operations before the government-imposed deadline.
The move follows a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok in order to reduce Chinese control.
Oracle and Blackstone are also pursuing acquisition deals, partnering with investors and venture capital firms.
The U,S, aims to reduce Chinese ownership of TikTok’s American operations to below 20%, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance.

EDGNEX Data Centers has acquired Finland&#8217;s Hyperco to expand into the Nordic market. 
Hyperco&#8217;s founders and team will continue to lead, leveraging local expertise and innovation. 
The acquisition aligns with DAMAC Group’s strategy for world-class digital infrastructure. 
EDGNEX is investing heavily, with plans in the US and Europe to boost data centre capacity. 
Their target is to reach 3,000 megawatts in data centre capacity by 2026.

The UAE&#8217;s CEPA initiative has secured 26 trade agreements since its 2021 launch. 
New deals in 2025 include Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic. 
Significant trade growth reported with India (20,5%), Türkiye (11%), Indonesia (15%), and Georgia (56%). 
Strategic deals underpin the UAE&#8217;s “We the UAE 2031” vision for economic sustainability. 
Local entrepreneurs are benefitting significantly from emerging international opportunities.

Donald Trump plans a Middle East trip in May for a major investment deal. 
He&#8217;s targeting a $1 trillion investment, including military equipment sales to UAE and Qatar. 
Geopolitical issues like Ukraine&#8217;s war and Gaza tensions are expected topics. 
The trip aims to expand the Abraham Accords and strengthen regional relationships. 
Details are still being finalised, but the White House confirms ongoing preparations.

Flynas is set to go public on Riyadh&#8217;s stock exchange, boosting the Gulf IPO trend. 
The airline plans to offer a 30% stake, following Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways&#8217; IPOs. 
Operating over 70 routes, flynas aims to expand its fleet to 160 aircraft by 2030. 
Backed by Prince Alwaleed&#8217;s Kingdom Holding, the IPO supports Saudi Arabia&#8217;s economic diversification. 
Saudi Arabia aims to become a major tourism destination, enhancing its diverse economy.

Egyptian startup InfiniLink raised $10 million to enhance its optical connectivity chips for AI data centres. 
Contributors include MediaTek, Sukna Ventures, Egypt Ventures, and M Empire Angels. 
InfiniLink&#8217;s iOTC chips aim to improve speed without increasing power consumption in data centres. 
The technology promises faster AI-driven centres that use less energy, benefiting both users and the environment. 
Funding will advance their mixed-signal analogue and photonics tech, boosting efficiency.

YAP secures $41 million, leading regional expansion into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ghana, and Pakistan. 
The fintech firm, launched in 2021, leverages digital tools with over 130,000 users already. 
Avoiding banking licence chaos by collaborating with traditional banks aids swift market entry. 
YAP introduces diverse cards, including prepaid and virtual options, tailored for seamless transactions. 
The startup targets fintech, logistics, and proptech sectors, completing Series A funding by 2025.

The UAE Central Bank introduced a new symbol for the Emirati dirham, including its digital form. 
The digital dirham project aims to revolutionise payment solutions and financial infrastructure in the UAE. 
Digital dirhams, legally supported by a Federal Decree, must be accepted as legal tender. 
The digital currency promises enhanced security, lower costs, and quicker transactions for businesses and individuals. 
A secure platform for digital dirhams will integrate smoothly into retail and financial operations by late 2025.

Orascom Construction plans to reduce Egyptian projects to a third by 2026. 
The focus shifts to international projects, seeking foreign currency-backed and economically stable opportunities. 
Delayed payments from Egyptian authorities are improving but remain a challenge. 
Domestic construction challenges prompt a shift, with international ventures in UAE and Saudi Arabia. 
Orascom aims for stability and growth by diversifying in Middle Eastern markets.

Zain and CODED Academy continue their strong partnership through the Kuwait Codes initiative. 
Zain has trained over 3,500 young Kuwaiti coders, highlighting their dedication to digital transformation. 
The Kuwait Codes project offers free training in app creation, AI, and cybersecurity. 
CODED Academy’s CEO praises Zain&#8217;s support for impacting young Kuwaitis’ tech skills positively. 
Partnerships between industry and education are crucial for preparing a future digital workforce.

Dubai is rapidly becoming a key hub for digital asset providers like Bitpanda. 
Bitpanda has obtained a Virtual Assets Broker Licence to operate in the UAE. 
This allows them to offer over 500 digital assets to Emirati investors soon. 
Dubai&#8217;s progressive regulatory framework by VARA attracts global digital asset platforms. 
Bitpanda has established a base at DMCC Crypto Centre, preparing for UAE market entry.

Basatne has acquired Cartlow to enhance sustainable trade and reverse logistics in the Middle East. 
Cartlow&#8217;s proprietary technology has prevented 100,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, enhancing regional impact. 
The acquisition completes Basatne’s “fully-integrated, closed-loop eco-system” for circular solutions. 
Middle East faces an e-waste crisis, with an opportunity for growth in the recommerce sector. 
This aligns with regional goals like the UAE’s net-zero emissions target and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030.

OpenAI is poised to secure a massive $40 billion funding round, valuing it at $300 billion. 
The round is primarily led by SoftBank, alongside investors like Magnetar, Coatue, and Altimeter Capital. 
Funding will unfold in two stages, with SoftBank contributing a substantial $30 billion overall. 
This round significantly surpasses OpenAI&#8217;s previous $6.6 billion in October 2024. 
Investors are drawn to AI&#8217;s expansive potential, anticipating future breakthroughs from OpenAI.

Dubai will host the second Dubai Artificial Intelligence Festival in April 2025. 
Over 8,000 AI experts, 500 investors, and numerous startups will attend the event. 
The festival features 30+ roundtable discussions and workshops on AI&#8217;s transformative impacts. 
Dubai aims to reinforce its status as a technological innovation hub through this event. 
Dubai&#8217;s AI Campus expansion plans include housing 500 startups and creating 3,000 jobs.

Valeo Health ME secures $12 million in Series B funding led by Flintera. 
The UAE-based startup&#8217;s total funding now reaches $20 million. 
Valeo uses AI to create personalised health plans, catering to growing wellness demands. 
Plans include expanding into Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the wider Gulf region. 
Founded in 2021, the company aims to innovate further and meet patient needs effectively.

Riyadh will host the Human Capability Initiative Conference and EDGEx International Education Exhibition in April 2025. 
&#8220;Beyond Future Readiness&#8221; aims to transform education and job readiness by fostering local innovation. 
EDGEx 2025 will showcase educational advancements, including AI, with global universities and tech firms participating. 
Around 12,000 global visitors and over 300 speakers will discuss education and human capability. 
Last year&#8217;s event resulted in 40+ agreements worth 3,9 billion Riyals, boosting Vision 2030 goals.

Armoir, a UAE-based luxury luggage startup, secured pre-seed funding led by Plus Venture Capital. 
Funds will enhance production capabilities and expand regional and global presence. 
Armoir is known for stylish, durable bags made with premium materials like aircraft-grade polycarbonate. 
The brand plans to develop eco-friendly product lines for modern, environmentally conscious travellers. 
Investor backing highlights Armoir&#8217;s innovative blend of function and sophisticated design.

Sawi, a startup, simplifies invoice collection by automating tedious financial tasks for businesses. 
Founded by Abdullah Alsaidi and Abdullah Alaqeel, it&#8217;s gaining popularity for easing accounting stress. 
Social media buzz shows businesses are thrilled with Sawi&#8217;s innovative approach and convenience. 
Founders receive congratulations and support, highlighting their expertise and impact on the community. 
Sawi&#8217;s journey in smart payment automation is definitely worth watching in the business landscape.

Startups are prioritising quality over quantity, achieving impressive revenue with smaller teams. 
AI and automation are streamlining operations, enabling less dependence on large technical staff. 
Krisspy, with only five employees, hit $200,000 ARR without traditional marketing in 15 days. 
High-calibre hires and word-of-mouth recommendations replace the need for big marketing teams. 
This shift towards lean, efficient business models might define the future of successful startups.