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A new report from global digital payments firm Checkout.com has revealed a striking trend in the UAE, where consumers are embracing AI-driven shopping assistants at a pace far exceeding other global markets. The research highlights a significant gap between this surging consumer demand and the underlying infrastructure needed to support what it calls “agentic commerce.” […] The post UAE Leads Global AI Shopping Adoption, With 64% Trusting Bots Over Family, Finds Checkout.com first appeared on MENA Startup Digest.

The UAE’s stability through recent months of geopolitical disruption was not improvised but the result of a deliberate, long-term economic architecture. This was the central message from H.E. Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and the UAE’s Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, during his opening address at The Briefing by Arabian Business in Dubai. […] The post UAE’s Economic Resilience Is By Design, Not Luck, Badr Jafar Tells Dubai Business Leaders first appeared on MENA Startup Digest.

A new global study from the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and IBM’s Institute for Business Value has revealed the UAE is significantly outpacing its global peers in the adoption of AI governance platforms. The report, titled ‘Orchestrating AI at scale for sovereignty and resilience’, indicates a mature and proactive approach to managing artificial intelligence from […] The post UAE Leads Global AI Governance Adoption, New Dubai Future Foundation & IBM Study Reveals first appeared on MENA Startup Digest.

Egyptian fintech Blnk has secured $37.1 million in a mixed funding round to scale its point-of-sale financing operations across the country. The round consists of $12.5 million in Series A equity and $24.6 million in local debt facilities, aimed at expanding access to consumer credit for a largely underserved population. Quick Facts Total Funding: $37.1 […] The post Egypt’s Blnk Raises $37 Million to Target Unbanked with AI-Powered Credit first appeared on MENA Startup Digest.

MENA startups raised a significant $454.7 million across 33 deals in May 2026, marking a 202% increase from the previous month. However, the headline figure is largely inflated by debt financing, which accounted for two-thirds of the total capital, revealing a more cautious investor sentiment than the numbers initially suggest. Quick Facts Total May funding: […] The post MENA Startup Funding Rebounds To $454.7M In May, Driven By A Surge In Debt first appeared on MENA Startup Digest.