Middle East

The GCC and broader Middle East.
Fintech
Real Estate
Sustainability

Uzbekistan bids to become Central Asia's fintech gateway

Tashkent's Silk Road Forum draws 6,000 delegates as Uzbekistan converts regulatory reform into a pitch for global Islamic and digital-finance capital.
Tashkent's Silk Road Forum draws 6,000 delegates as Uzbekistan converts regulatory reform into a pitch for global Islamic and digital-finance capital.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Real Estate
Property
Sustainability

Innovo and Dubai PropTech Hub unite to test construction tech at scale

A DIFC-anchored MoU opens Innovo's live construction sites to PropTech startups, targeting the Global South's urbanisation boom.
A DIFC-anchored MoU opens Innovo's live construction sites to PropTech startups, targeting the Global South's urbanisation boom.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Transportation & Logistics
Real Estate
Internet of Things

Parkin and Amakin sign MoU to link GCC smart parking networks

Dubai's dominant parking operator and Bahrain's Amakin will explore platform integration and shared mobility data across the GCC.
Dubai's dominant parking operator and Bahrain's Amakin will explore platform integration and shared mobility data across the GCC.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
Sustainability

Standard Chartered Foundation backs women-led tech founders in Egypt

A $35,000 grant programme targets Egypt's $2.2bn funding gap for women entrepreneurs across 12 tech startups.
A $35,000 grant programme targets Egypt's $2.2bn funding gap for women entrepreneurs across 12 tech startups.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Defence
Energy

Powerus wins $22.3m counter-drone deal to guard Gulf oil infrastructure

A US autonomous-systems firm lands its largest commercial contract yet, deploying networked anti-drone detection across Middle East energy assets.
A US autonomous-systems firm lands its largest commercial contract yet, deploying networked anti-drone detection across Middle East energy assets.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
AI & ML

ADIB names Chief AI Officer to drive Islamic banking transformation

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank's first CAIO signals Gulf financial institutions are hardwiring AI into core strategy, not just operations.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank's first CAIO signals Gulf financial institutions are hardwiring AI into core strategy, not just operations.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Transportation & Logistics
Automotive
AI & ML

Uber and Baidu launch driverless Apollo Go robotaxis in Dubai

The Uber-Baidu tie-up creates the first multi-partner autonomous ride network, with Dubai as the launchpad for a global AV rollout.
The Uber-Baidu tie-up creates the first multi-partner autonomous ride network, with Dubai as the launchpad for a global AV rollout.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
Real Estate

Exits MENA acquires Avanz Capital Egypt in MENA private equity push

The multi-seven-figure deal creates an integrated advisory-to-PE platform targeting Egypt's $123bn SME finance gap.
The multi-seven-figure deal creates an integrated advisory-to-PE platform targeting Egypt's $123bn SME finance gap.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
AI & ML

Fintech Galaxy wins UAE Open Finance approval in Gulf data push

UAE in-principle approval positions Fintech Galaxy at the centre of the Gulf's regulated financial data infrastructure buildout.
UAE in-principle approval positions Fintech Galaxy at the centre of the Gulf's regulated financial data infrastructure buildout.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Cybersecurity
Fintech

Bybit's AI security push intercepts $700m in crypto threats

Bybit's H1 2026 security report shows AI-assisted defences stopping 30,000 suspicious withdrawals as crypto exchanges race attackers using the same tools.
Bybit's H1 2026 security report shows AI-assisted defences stopping 30,000 suspicious withdrawals as crypto exchanges race attackers using the same tools.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
Automotive
Transportation & Logistics

Solera and Najm bring AI claims tech to Saudi motor insurance

A US vehicle-lifecycle giant partners with Saudi Arabia's national accident platform, targeting a $66bn regional motor insurance market.
A US vehicle-lifecycle giant partners with Saudi Arabia's national accident platform, targeting a $66bn regional motor insurance market.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
AI & ML
Energy
Datatech

Accenture targets Gulf sovereign AI gap at LEAP 2026

New Middle East research from Accenture finds a widening gulf between national AI ambition and enterprise execution across the region.
New Middle East research from Accenture finds a widening gulf between national AI ambition and enterprise execution across the region.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Retail & E-Commerce
Internet of Things
AI & ML

OPPO launches Enco Clip2, Enco Air5 and Pad 5 in Saudi Arabia

OPPO's three-product Gulf rollout tests whether premium audio and AI-tablet features can convert mid-market consumers in Saudi Arabia.
OPPO's three-product Gulf rollout tests whether premium audio and AI-tablet features can convert mid-market consumers in Saudi Arabia.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
AI & ML
Blockchain

Cypher Capital names new CEO to drive multi-asset institutional push

The Dubai-founded firm is expanding beyond digital assets into AI infrastructure and private equity under a new chief executive.
The Dubai-founded firm is expanding beyond digital assets into AI infrastructure and private equity under a new chief executive.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech
AI & ML

ADX opens live market data to ChatGPT and Claude in MENA first

Abu Dhabi's exchange becomes the first in the MENA region to stream official live market data through conversational AI platforms.
Abu Dhabi's exchange becomes the first in the MENA region to stream official live market data through conversational AI platforms.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Energy
Sustainability
Real Estate

TAQA lifts H1 profit 10% as Gulf utility pivots from oil to renewables

Abu Dhabi's TAQA posts AED 4.1bn net income as a 38% capex surge funds power, water and clean-energy expansion.
Abu Dhabi's TAQA posts AED 4.1bn net income as a 38% capex surge funds power, water and clean-energy expansion.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech

Money20/20 Middle East Returns to Riyadh

Money20/20 Middle East returns to Riyadh from 14–16 September 2026, bringing global financial leaders together to explore the future of fintech, payments and digital fina

Money20/20 Middle East is set to return to Riyadh from 14–16 September 2026, bringing regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, investors and technology leaders together as Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its position in the global financial services landscap

Money20/20 Middle East Returns to Riyadh  · 
Transportation & Logistics
Internet of Things
Real Estate

Q Mobility and Parkin link up to unify UAE smart parking

Abu Dhabi and Dubai's largest public parking operators join forces on AI-driven integration across the UAE's two biggest urban mobility markets.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai's largest public parking operators join forces on AI-driven integration across the UAE's two biggest urban mobility markets.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Transportation & Logistics
Real Estate
AI & ML

Q Mobility and Parkin unite to build UAE-wide smart parking grid

Abu Dhabi and Dubai's largest public parking operators are merging data systems, signalling a new phase in Gulf urban mobility convergence.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai's largest public parking operators are merging data systems, signalling a new phase in Gulf urban mobility convergence.
Disrupts Editorial Team  · 
Fintech

Why Iraq's Digital Future is Closer than Ever

Qi Group's Ahmed Kadhum argues Iraq can leapfrog conventional development stages as digital payments become the gateway to a connected
economy.

Discussions at the world's leading fintech conferences have moved beyond digital payments.

Why Iraq's Digital Future is Closer than Ever  · 
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