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UAE 🇦🇪

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office has partnered with Gushcloud to boost the influencer economy. 
The venture is set to create over 100 jobs in finance, technology, and IP management. 
Gushcloud plans to launch a &#8220;Creative Ventures&#8221; programme to support digital content creators. 
Abu Dhabi aims to develop a vibrant digital media ecosystem, attracting global creative talent. 
This collaboration strengthens Abu Dhabi&#8217;s position as a global digital and media innovation hub.

Amana now offers over 450 cryptocurrencies, making it the largest selection in MENA. 
The platform bridges crypto and traditional finance, housing stocks, forex, and coins seamlessly. 
CEO Muhammad Rasoul highlights hassle-free trading across various assets on one platform. 
Since launching in 2022, amana has gained over 320,000 users due to its diverse offerings. 
Amana empowers Middle Eastern traders to build diverse portfolios with ease.

Cloudflare launched Cloudforce One for real-time global cyber threat intelligence. 
The platform provides detailed, contextual threat insights to help security teams act quickly. 
Cloudflare&#8217;s global network blocks around 227 billion cyber threats daily. 
Cybercrime damages could hit $10,5 trillion by 2025, stressing the need for robust security. 
Cloudforce One offers a clear, practical solution amidst the complex cybersecurity landscape.

Tech companies often see their market value drop right after going public. 
Before IPO, investor optimism overshadows scrutiny, which hits hard once companies go public. 
Public market demands reveal financial weaknesses, challenging prior inflated valuations. 
Broader economic factors and inflated pre-IPO valuations often dampen initial enthusiasm. 
Post-IPO, strong fundamentals and sustainable growth are crucial for long-term success.

ClearGrid aims to revolutionise debt collection in MENA with data-driven empathy. 
The fintech startup raised $10 million from top investors, including Raed Ventures and Aramco&#8217;s Waed Ventures. 
ClearGrid uses AI to automate collections, reducing costs and borrower anxiety in the UAE. 
The startup plans expansion into Saudi Arabia, seeking to modernise debt management further. 
Future plans include comprehensive AI-driven solutions for early risk detection and debt prevention.

Venture capital&#8217;s &#8220;carry&#8221; is profit for fund managers once investors recoup their capital. 
Typically around 20%, carry aligns the interests of both managers and investors effectively. 
Understanding carry rewards encourages fund managers to choose investments wisely. 
Alballaa likens it to sharing bills: recognition goes to those who organise successfully. 
Such insights make venture capital more comprehensible, enhancing clarity for investors.

HyperPay&#8217;s Tap-on-Phone lets UAE businesses accept payments via Android smartphones. 
This tech aids small businesses by removing need for traditional point-of-sale machines. 
Fintech startups in the region secured $700 million in 2024, indicating investor confidence. 
HyperPay plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and Egypt, riding a wave of fintech investment. 
The UAE&#8217;s shift to a cashless society is advancing rapidly, making digital payments ubiquitous.

Abu Dhabi is partnering with Microsoft and Core42 to revolutionise public services digitally. 
The agreement includes establishing a sovereign cloud infrastructure to streamline government interactions. 
Ambitious plans aim to make Abu Dhabi the first fully AI-native government by 2027. 
An AED 13 billion investment supports over 200 AI-driven solutions for public service efficiency. 
This collaboration highlights Abu Dhabi&#8217;s approach to merging technology with governmental needs.

PlaysOut has raised $7 million in seed funding, led by OKX Ventures. The platform enables developers to launch mini-games on Telegram, Discord, and YouTube. Integration of blockchain features streamlines processes for developers and players. Funds will enhance the game ecosystem, form partnerships, and improve market presence. PlaysOut plans to release their embedded SDK, facilitating easier blockchain integration.

Checkout,com partners with Tabby to launch buy now, pay later services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Merchants can integrate Tabby&#8217;s BNPL solution directly at checkout to boost customer loyalty. BNPL adoption in the Middle East has surged 62% in a year, promising future growth. UAE and Saudi adoption rates are 39% and 42% respectively, amid rising online shopping trends. This partnership offers consumers flexible payments, enhancing consumer choice and retailer sales.

The deal marks a major step in ADNOC’s ambition to become the most AI-integrated energy company.
ENERGYai can cut down operational processes from months to mere days, offering a significant competitive edge.
The platform leverages advanced AI models trained on ADNOC’s workflows, optimizing seismic analysis, geological modeling, and real-time operations monitoring.
AIQ developed ENERGYai in collaboration with ADNOC, G42, and Microsoft, incorporating cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies.
The first operational version of ENERGYai is set to launch in mid-2025, initially covering subsurface operations across multiple exploration assets.

Careem Pay now supports transfers from the UAE to Egypt, offering competitive rates.
Egypt is among the top five remittance-receiving countries from the UAE, with an annual market of around $10 billion.
The service provides up to 50% savings compared to traditional banks.
Careem Plus members receive even better exchange rates than Google-listed rates.
Launch aligns with Ramadan, a peak season for financial support and charitable giving.