Visa is injecting fresh funding into four startups that graduated from the first batch of its Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program. The investments highlight Visa’s dedication to driving digital innovation within Africa, according to a Wednesday (Nov. 6) news release emailed to PYMNTS. In doing so, the payments giant aims to foster the development of…
The financial industry is undergoing a seismic transformation, with artificial intelligence and fintech reshaping everything from regulatory compliance and customer experience to counter-fraud measures. Across the globe, banks are adopting generative AI and machine learning to drive innovation, reduce costs, and enhance security. Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key player, with local tech companies…
Islamic finance has attracted considerable attention over the last two decades as a substitute to traditional finance. It essentially refers to banking and financial activities that are conducted in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law. Approximately 25% of the global population is Muslim – the community with the fastest rate of growth. With a median…
The FDI boom is a product of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ plan, first announced in 2016. Driven by a desire to diversify away from hydrocarbons, Saudi Arabia is looking to transform its economy by nurturing new industries, attracting investment and positioning itself as an early adopter of advanced technologies. One area that Saudi Arabia is…
Fintech has advanced at an unprecedented pace, reshaping the global financial landscape. Innovations such as digital payments, blockchain, AI, machine learning, and decentralized finance are transforming financial services, making them more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly. However, these advancements present significant regulatory challenges that must be addressed to ensure a stable and secure financial ecosystem. It has…
Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business hub in the region, has been recognized with three notable awards, highlighting its dedication to fostering innovation in financial services and impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Among the accolades is the esteemed Emerging Technology Initiative Award, presented at the 8th Middle East Enterprise AI…
India is one of the largest global consumer markets, with shoppers going more digital every single day. The government’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy is being fueled by robust public infrastructure and a growing digital-first user base. India currently leads the world in digital payments with more than 40% of payments made…
Fintech has transformed the banking sector, offering innovative solutions for managing finances. However, a series of high-profile incidents have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of these digital platforms. As consumers, it’s crucial to understand the risks and take steps to safeguard our wealth in this evolving industry. Even established fintech companies are not…
Kamala Harris pledged to provide Black male entrepreneurs with one million forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to help them get their businesses off the ground in collaboration with the Small Business Administration, bolstering their potential and removing barriers for this group. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Black Americans are twice as likely…
Saudi Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen Alkhalaf revealed that the number of fintech companies in the kingdom reached 224 by the end of the second quarter of this year, surpassing the program’s target for the same quarter, which was 168 companies. He indicated that the goal is to increase this number to 525 companies by…
