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Spotlight 🔦

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Robotic grocery deliverers begin operating in Sobha Hartland, Dubai, through Yango Group and ROOTS. 
These autonomous robots navigate a two-kilometre radius, delivering groceries within thirty minutes. 
Florian Jansen from ROOTS calls the initiative a &#8220;game changer&#8221; for speed and sustainability. 
The move supports Dubai&#8217;s goal of 25% autonomous transport by 2030, reducing emissions. 
This partnership enhances local commerce and accelerates Dubai&#8217;s sustainability objectives.

Saudi Arabia shone at the 2025 Global Youth Summit, focusing on youth leadership in technology. 
Led by Shahad Al-Balawi and Engineer Rakan Al-Anazi, they championed youth as change agents. 
Key discussions included digital empowerment and AI, highlighting the importance of youth education. 
Saudi initiatives like &#8220;Generation Connect&#8221; emphasised collaboration with young people for future tech progress. 
The summit reinforced Saudi&#8217;s commitment to youth development and technological innovation.

Emirati fintech COCA received strategic investment from Stellar Development Foundation and FunFair Ventures. 
This funding boosts COCA&#8217;s mission to simplify global stablecoin payments through Stellar integration. 
Users benefit from secure crypto transactions without traditional banking obstacles and fees. 
COCA aims to make cryptocurrency usage as seamless as using a debit card. 
This move highlights a shift towards financial independence from traditional banking systems.

Beyon partners with Aecom for Bahrain&#8217;s $700 million Digital City project in Hamala. 
The project will integrate office, tech, and social spaces with a sustainable urban design. 
Cooperation with UPDA ensures Digital City complements Bahrain&#8217;s infrastructure and growth plans. 
Digital City aims to be a tech hotspot, enhancing mobility and business opportunities. 
Sustainable transport and open spaces are key features of this innovative urban initiative.

Arabian Pay secured funding from Al Bassami Holding Group, enhancing financial inclusion for Saudi SMEs. 
The startup develops a &#8220;buy now, pay later&#8221; service to ease SMEs&#8217; cash flow issues. 
Their solution allows businesses to split supplier payments into three interest-free instalments. 
Beyond funding, the partnership offers strategic collaboration with Al Bassami&#8217;s logistics expertise. 
With new resources, Arabian Pay aims to enhance its platform for smarter SME payment solutions.

Code &#038; State raised $3 million to support stablecoin ventures with backing from Warburg Serres and KR1. 
The funds will provide startups with funding, mentorship, and technical infrastructure to solve stablecoin challenges. 
Stablecoin usage is booming, with global transaction volumes surpassing $15 trillion recently. 
Code &#038; State aims to fast-track promising UAE startups in payments, remittances, and DeFi. 
Founder Cedric Waldburger envisions stablecoins multiplying tenfold in market cap over five years.

Enza, a UAE-based fintech startup, secured $6,75 million in its latest seed funding round. 
The funding was led by Algebra Ventures and Quona Capital to boost operations across Africa. 
Enza develops cutting-edge payment solutions, aiding banks and fintech firms in seamless transactions. 
Currently operating in Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, Enza targets Africa&#8217;s booming fintech sector. 
Founded in 2022, Enza aims to shape modern African payment infrastructure with strong investor backing.

Zeekr celebrated its first UAE anniversary with AW Rostamani Group at the Armani Pavilion. 
In a year, they&#8217;ve launched showrooms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, boosting local presence. 
Sales soared over 200% in January 2025, aiming for 400% annual growth. 
Zeekr, backed by Geely, integrates cutting-edge tech and sustainable architecture across models. 
Zeekr&#8217;s rapid UAE rise reflects a smart blend of style, tech, and sustainability.

ENOC Group partners with RTA to trial green hydrogen as an alternative fuel in Dubai. 
The initiative supports the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s hydrogen economy goals. 
ENOC will fuel RTA&#8217;s hydrogen-powered buses and provide operational data for feasibility studies. 
The collaboration aims to deploy green hydrogen across public buses and marine transport networks. 
Green hydrogen, produced via renewable energy, emits zero CO2, aiding Dubai&#8217;s carbon footprint reduction.

Aman is set to raise $2 billion for global luxury hotel expansion. 
Recent investments include $900 million from Saudi Arabia&#8217;s PIF and Cain International. 
Aman has 23 hotel projects planned, targeting Middle Eastern and African markets. 
The brand&#8217;s understated luxury appeals to affluent individuals and private clientele. 
Middle Eastern demand for personalised experiences drives luxury hospitality trends.

Sheikh Hamdan announced a performance bonus of AED 277 million for Dubai Government employees. 
This recognises their dedication and crucial role in driving Dubai&#8217;s growth and success. 
The bonus aligns with Dubai&#8217;s strategy to foster innovation and reward outstanding performance. 
Bonuses have increased from AED 152 million in 2023, showcasing Dubai’s commitment. 
Employee incentives have become essential for promoting satisfaction and productivity across various sectors.

Abu Dhabi launched the &#8220;Sahl Accessibility Assessment System&#8221; to enhance inclusivity in public spaces. 
Pilot testing on Yas Island targets improvements and solutions for accessibility over the next year. 
The assessment becomes mandatory for new construction, with existing buildings facing evaluations. 
Accessibility classifications feature levels: Qualified, Adaptable, Inclusive, and Exemplary. 
Feedback from people of determination is crucial for shaping future improvements in the city.

Saudi Aramco and Siemens Energy launched a pilot project for Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. 
The pilot DAC plant can remove 12 tonnes of CO2 annually, aiding Saudi Arabia&#8217;s climate efforts. 
CO2 extracted can be used for producing sustainable chemicals and fuels, enhancing resource efficiency. 
The project aims to pave the way for large-scale DAC deployment, aligning with net-zero goals. 
Aramco&#8217;s initiative is part of a circular carbon economy approach, potentially impacting climate change positively.

Web Summit Qatar 2025 highlighted a thriving tech scene with genuine substance beyond buzzwords. 
The event&#8217;s smaller scale allowed for meaningful interactions between startups and investors. 
Investors focused on viability and traction, preferring solid business models over flashy pitches. 
Qatar Financial Centre waived registration fees, attracting over 1,600 companies to open offices. 
Startups left optimistic, equipped with practical steps and valuable connections for future success.

The UAE plans to invest USD 1,4 trillion in the US over the next decade. 
Investment focuses on AI, semiconductors, manufacturing, and energy sectors, including a new aluminium smelter. 
The initiative highlights UAE&#8217;s strategy to diversify beyond oil into AI and tech industries. 
A USD 25 billion collaboration aims at enhancing US energy infrastructure and data centres. 
This substantial investment underscores strengthening US-UAE economic and geopolitical ties.

Nathan Myhrvold, Microsoft&#8217;s first CTO, reflected on the tech giant&#8217;s transformative impact at Microsoft@50. 
He compared today&#8217;s AI advancements to the early days of personal computers, full of potential. 
Myhrvold believes achieving true AI intelligence requires &#8220;three to five miracles&#8221; yet to come. 
He credits Microsoft&#8217;s strategic investments, like in OpenAI, for positioning the company as an AI leader. 
Though AI&#8217;s future is bright, Myhrvold dismisses doomsday predictions as mere storytelling.

OpenAI and Meta discuss potential AI collaborations with India&#8217;s Reliance Industries. 
Reliance, known for tech initiatives like Jio, attracts global tech giants into India&#8217;s digital economy. 
Talks are preliminary with no specific plans yet, but interest shows India&#8217;s strategic tech importance. 
Partnerships with Reliance could bring advanced AI technology to everyday Indian consumers. 
Despite excitement, it&#8217;s too early to predict the outcomes of these discussions.

Egypt is set to launch 5G technology by 2025, boosting internet speeds and reducing latency. 
All four major telecom operators will offer 5G, driving smart cities and IoT innovations. 
This rollout is expected to enhance Egypt&#8217;s ICT sector competitiveness and attract more investment. 
Significant collaborations, including Telecom Egypt with Vodafone and Huawei, support the 5G infrastructure. 
The initiative promises to improve Egypt&#8217;s digital landscape and quality of life.

Dubai will host &#8220;Fluidity 2025,&#8221; connecting GCC and Sub-Saharan Africa&#8217;s startup and tech sectors. 
Scheduled for April 7-8, 2025, it will focus on growth and innovation at Al Habtoor City. 
Prominent names like Microsoft and AWS will discuss Fintech, AI, and blockchain innovations. 
The event aims to boost trade, investment, and strategic cooperation between the regions. 
Dubai&#8217;s status as a global financial hub makes it the ideal venue for such a summit.

Nayla Finance secures $4 million in seed funding led by Sanabil Venture Studio. 
The startup aims to enhance financial products and build a stronger lending portfolio. 
Digital scoring will streamline loan approvals for small businesses across Saudi Arabia. 
Plans include boosting data-driven credit tools and strategic market expansions. 
Nayla expects operations to begin by 2025, pending Saudi Central Bank approval.

Qatar aims to become a global tech hub with its Digital Agenda 2030. 
Investments in AI and data analytics might create 26,000 jobs by 2030. 
Academic institutions are fostering technological innovation and talent. 
AI adoption could transform the Middle East economy significantly. 
Qatar supports inclusive digital growth with tools like low-code platforms.

Telecom operator e&#038; UAE introduces Ciena&#8217;s WaveLogic 6 Extreme in the Middle East and Africa. 
The upgrade boosts network capacity for blazing internet speeds, advancing AI and cloud technologies. 
WL6e’s 3nm silicon technology doubles transmission rates to 1.6 terabits per second per wavelength. 
This strategic move supports both business needs and everyday digital services for consumers. 
e&#038; UAE leads regional digital innovation, ensuring stable, high-speed connections for future growth.

Egypt&#8217;s MSMEDA invested LE 11,9 billion in small businesses across Minya, Fayoum, and Beni Suef. 
This funding supported 574,349 projects and created 826,300 permanent jobs in Upper Egypt. 
MSMEDA helped 21,000 small businesses obtain licences, boosting access to developmental benefits. 
Collaboration with international partners improved infrastructure, creating 7,9 million employment days. 
The strategy mirrors a regional trend, empowering small businesses for economic revival.