The opening of Alshaya Group’s first global Contact Center and Information Technology hub in Egypt represents a significant milestone in the company’s journey, reflecting its long-term commitment to this vital and fast-growing market, said the Group’s Managing Director in Egypt. Janset kasht stated that the Alshaya Global Contact Center and IT hub serves the Group’s markets across the Arab region, in addition to markets in Europe and Asia. She added that Egypt has become a key strategic partner in Alshaya’s regional growth journey, noting that the establishment of this global hub reflects the importance of Egypt’s role within the Group’s…
Author: Mohamed Fathy
iSchool, the leading K-12 AI and coding education platform in the MENA region, today announced the acquisition of Rubikal, a globally recognized software engineering company, in a strategic move to accelerate the development of its next-generation AI products and infrastructure for schools. The Team As part of the acquisition, Rubikal’s leadership team and engineering talent will join iSchool. Mohamed Ibrahim, Co-founder of Rubikal, will take the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at iSchool, while Moustafa Badawy, Co-founder, will join as Vice President of Engineering. The transaction also brings a team of 21 software engineers into iSchool’s growing technology division.…
Sinai.ai, the next-generation adaptive reading platform transforming books into dynamic, intelligent experiences, today announced the close of its $1.45M pre-seed funding round. The round was led by KAUST Innovation Ventures (KIV) and DisrupTech Ventures, with participation from Maza Ventures and YOUXEL Ventures, alongside a coalition of angel investors. The capital will fund proprietary tech, AI infrastructure, user acquisition, and licensing. Global Book Market The global book market represents over $150 billion in value, yet the core format of books has remained largely unchanged for decades. Sinai.ai was founded on the conviction that this is about to change, and that the…
Behind every frictionless financial app lies a sophisticated digital foundation; as embedded finance scales globally, fortifying this core infrastructure is now the industry’s central focus. Leading this charge is Banknbox, a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform rapidly evolving from a MENA regional powerhouse into a cross-border infrastructure provider currently powering financial services across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and now Europe. Digital Demand Targeting geographies where digital demand is surging but legacy systems remain constrained, Banknbox is scaling its modular infrastructure to help banks, fintechs, and enterprises launch financial products in record time. Expanding Over the past year, the company has capitalized…
African startups are making significant progress. In this context, the digital economy platform FollowICT highlights the top startup news across Africa over the past week. – African tech startups raise $382m in Q1 2026, up 35% on same period last year African tech startups raised a total of US$382 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 35 per cent on the US$284 million raised in the same period of 2025. Total investment into the African tech startup ecosystem increased by almost 50 per cent to US$1.64 billion in 2025 as the sector began to slowly recover from the impacts…
PMaestro has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Safari Group, the exclusive regional franchise rights holder of the global brand Chuck E. Cheese, to launch an integrated investment and operational platform in Egypt’s entertainment sector. The project carries an estimated investment of around EGP 2 billion, reinforcing foreign direct investment inflows and supporting the state’s efforts to stimulate economic growth and entrepreneurship. Investment Opportunities This partnership comes within a shared vision aimed at capitalizing on Egypt’s promising investment opportunities, particularly in value-added service and entertainment sectors, which are witnessing growing demand driven by demographic shifts and…
Raedbots officially announced its launch today as the first company in Egypt and the Middle East specializing in the local design and manufacturing of industrial robots. Founded to meet the surging demand for automation in the region, Raedbots provides advanced robotic solutions that are more cost-effective, accessible, and specifically tailored to local industrial needs compared to imported alternatives. Mohamed Ibrahim, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Raedbots, stated that the company is redefining automation: “We aren’t just building industrial robots; we are providing integrated robotic solutions that help facilities and factories optimize productivity, reduce costs, and enhance safety standards.” He added…
African startups are making significant progress. In this context, the digital economy platform FollowICT highlights the top startup news across Africa over the past week. – Pre-seed investment programme Madica puts $600k into 3 new startups Madica, a structured investment programme for pre-seed African startups, has expanded its portfolio by announcing new investments in three tech-enabled startups – Kilimo Fresh, Hakimu, and Biovana. Launched in 2022, Madica is an Africa-focused pre-seed investment programme empowering underrepresented and underfunded mission-driven founders on the continent. The sector-agnostic platform, affiliated with Flourish Ventures, aims to empower entrepreneurs by providing funding and democratizing access to…
Founders Media, the parent company of WAYA Media, has announced a strategic investment from Foras.ai, a move that accelerates the platform’s capacity to scale its bilingual coverage of business and startup news across Egypt, the Gulf, and the broader MENA region. Exits MENA The transaction was advised and facilitated by Exits MENA, an investment advisory boutique in which Foras.ai holds a stake. The firm is focused on supporting startups and SMEs across the region through deal structuring, advisory, and execution. WAYA Media is a bilingual business and startup news platform serving founders, operators, and investors across Egypt, the Gulf, and…
African startups are making significant progress. In this context, the digital economy platform FollowICT highlights the top startup news across Africa over the past week. – Angolan transport startup ANDA raises $1.2m funding to further “drive-to-own” model Angolan startup ANDA, which has developed an innovative “drive-to own” model that empowers drivers of two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles, has secured US$1.2 million in funding from private credit impact fund BFA Asset Management (BFAAM). Founded in 2022 by Sergio Tati and Joerg Nuehrmann, ANDA is a fast-growing startup that is professionalising urban transport through an integrated mobility and logistics ecosystem. It offers…
Farid Academy, an Egyptian startup specializing in educational technology and character development for children and adolescents, has officially been granted the “Startup Label” under Egypt’s National Startup Charter. This designation makes Farid the first EdTech firm in the country to receive the prestigious status, cementing its role as an innovation leader at the intersection of digital education and mental wellbeing. National Definition of Startups The certification was awarded by the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA). It follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure compliance with the unified national definition of startups, a government initiative designed to bolster…
The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) has concluded the Aswan Bootcamp Series program,successfully supporting 61 tech startups in Upper Egypt, several of which have collectively secured investments estimated at EGP 200 million, underscoring growing investor confidence in Egypt’s entrepreneurial talent and innovative tech startups. The closing event was held at the Digital Egypt Innovation Hub Creativa in Aswan, attended by Engineer Amr Lashin, Governor of Aswan; Engineer Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA; ProfessorLoya Saad El-Din Nasrat, Acting President of Aswan University; and Ms. Karima El Hakim, Partner at Plug and Play Africa, alongside a distinguished group of entrepreneurs, startup…
Telda, Egypt’s leading digital financial platform, has officially announced the launch of its securities investment service, marking a strategic evolution toward a fully integrated financial ecosystem. The new service enables users to invest directly in the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) and various investment funds through the app, eliminating the need for traditional brokers or complex procedures. This milestone makes Telda the first app in Egypt to unify payments, card issuance, and securities trading within a single digital platform. Simplified Investment Experience Designed to democratize finance, the service offers a simplified investment experience tailored for a broad audience, specifically targeting those…
African startups are making significant progress. In this context, the digital economy platform FollowICT highlights the top startup news across Africa over the past week. – SA’s Happy Pay raises $5m seed round to scale ad-subsidised payments network South African startup Happy Pay has closed a US$5 million seed round to scale its ad-subsidised payments network, a model that removes interest and fees from consumer finance entirely. A BNPL startup, Happy Pay provides zero-cost installment payments through its ad-subsidised payments network. Its platform connects merchants with high-intent shoppers, enabling consumers to split purchases into interest-free installments while helping retailers grow…
In an era where data is increasingly viewed as the new oil, Cairo recently played host to a high-stakes gathering of minds designed to ensure Egypt isn’t just a consumer of the AI revolution, but a primary architect. The “People of Data – Sharks Edition” brought together an elite circle of tech visionaries, AI specialists, and investment titans. Their mission: to move beyond theoretical hype and establish a pragmatic roadmap for how Artificial Intelligence can serve as the backbone of Egypt’s national economy. People of Data The event, organized by the People of Data community, centered on a pivotal question:…
Qualiphi, the first AI-powered Career Services Management (CSM) and employment platform, has announced the acquisition of the Career Club platform, previously owned by iCareer, one of the leading companies in career consulting and employability programs across the Arab region and North Africa. The acquisition was completed in the second half of 2025 as part of a six-figure deal, marking a strategic step in expanding AI-powered career enablement and employment services across Egypt and the Middle East. Career Services Management The move aligns with Qualiphi’s vision of building the first Arab platform dedicated to Career Services Management, enabling universities and career…
Value Makers Studio (VMS), a venture studio focused on building and scaling startups across the Middle East and North Africa, has announced the launch of VMS Accelerate in Egypt, a three-month accelerator designed to help high-potential startups scale and expand into the Saudi market. The Program The program will provide cash investments of up to EGP 1.5 million per startup, alongside strategic support, mentorship, and market access to help founders grow beyond their local markets. VMS plans to invest in seven startups in the program’s first Cairo cohort. Seed and Seed+ Stage Startups VMS Accelerate targets Seed and Seed+ stage…
Geidea Egypt, a leading provider of digital payment and fintech solutions in the MENA region, has announced a strategic partnership with ESLSCA University. Under this framework, the university will be equipped with advanced digital payment capabilities, including an integrated electronic payment gateway and modern point-of-sale (POS) systems. This collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation and enhance the efficiency, scalability, and resilience of financial infrastructure within the higher education sector. Under the terms of this agreement, Geidea Egypt will enable ESLSCA University to deliver secure and fast payment services to students, parents, and stakeholders through digital platforms and on-campus payment interfaces.…
Yalla Group Limited (“Yalla” or the “Company”) (NYSE: YALA), the largest Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-based online social networking and gaming company, has announced its financial results for 2025, maintaining steady growth and reinforcing its position in the region’s expanding digital entertainment sector. The company reported full-year revenue of AED 1.256 billion (US$341.9 million), while net income rose 10.4% to AED 543.9 million (US$148.1 million) from AED 492.9 million (US$134.2 million) in 2024. On a quarterly basis, revenue in the fourth quarter reached AED 308.1 million (US$83.9 million), as the company maintained solid operational performance. Net income for the…
Converted, an AI-powered advertising technology company focused on emerging markets, announced its acquisition of Mitcha, one of Egypt’s leading e-commerce platforms supporting local fashion designers. The move represents a strategic step aimed at expanding a data-driven digital commerce ecosystem built around measurable business results. As part of the deal, Hilda Louca, founder of Mitcha, will join Converted as a Partner and Executive Director, where she will lead the company’s strategic partnerships and regional expansion efforts. Strengthening the Platform The acquisition marks an important step toward integrating Mitcha’s community of designers and customers into the Converted ecosystem, strengthening the company’s ability…