Digital transformation across industries
Mastercard Gateway will process Tamatem Plus checkouts in more than 13 markets, starting with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Players can use cards, local methods and telecom wallets. No fee or volume was disclosed.
Beltone and Amtaar plan a property fund targeting EGP 2 billion, about $38 million, in several issues. The first is put at EGP 500 million to 700 million. Entry is EGP 1,000. The fund is not open, and no buildings were named.
Alif Yaa is in advanced talks to buy a controlling stake in Saudi school operator Ajyalna, people familiar told Bloomberg. A value near $500 million was discussed. No decision has been taken. This is not Alef Education.
CBE put financial inclusion at 79 percent by June 2026, 56.4 million adults with an active account. August rules opened eKYC on the Digital Financial Identity platform. Reserves hit $57.2 billion, with gold up and foreign currency down. AI is still a layer, not the licence.
MedGulf’s chief executive put Saudi insurers’ investment portfolios at about SAR 60 billion, double the level of four years ago, at an Asharqia Chamber workshop. He also cited a 2% sector margin. The figure is a briefing, not an official asset tally.
Oman briefed 42 fintech companies in late 2025, up from 26. On 22 September 2026 the Central Bank launched a national strategy and a single portal. The test is pending licences and sandbox exits, not the headcount on a slide.
The Bank of Algeria authorised Djezzy Payment Services to incorporate as a PSP on 23 September 2026. It is a constitution permit, not a live wallet. Final agrément must be sought within twelve months. Djezzy is state-owned since 2022.
Casablanca’s One Med Link wants to sell digital infrastructure for African care, starting with AI notes for residents. Hundreds of Moroccan clinicians are on the app. A first hospital emergency deployment in Rabat is next. A fundraise is being prepared.
HSBC Kuwait and Tap Payments have launched a merchant acquiring proposition letting corporate clients accept card payments on Tap rails, with consolidated reporting, better receivables visibility and simpler settlement.
At LEAP 2026, center3, stc Group's digital-infrastructure arm, showcased its role as the backbone beneath Saudi Arabia's AI ambitions, developing AI-ready data-centre capacity from 250 megawatts and announcing a power partnership to build at scale.