MEA Tech & Startup Digest: Issue #112

Author

Mehmet Gonullu
March 30, 2025

Welcome to the 1122h  edition of “The CTO Show’s MEA Tech & Startup Digest”!

From Tunisia to the UAE, the Middle East and Africa are buzzing with innovation as startups secure fresh funding and forge strategic partnerships. In this issue, we spotlight the latest investments fueling growth across fintech, legal-tech, AI, and clean energy, alongside key collaborations shaping the region’s tech landscape. Dive in for your quick roundup of the most exciting developments!

Whether you're one of our 2492 subscribers or new to our community, we're excited to share these valuable insights into tech, startups, and entrepreneurship.

Grab your coffee and let's unpack what's making headlines!

 💰 Funding

·       Tunisian legal-tech startup Juridoc secures funding round Tunisian legal-tech startup Juridoc has raised an undisclosed amount of funding to accelerate the digitalization of legal services in Africa and the Middle East. The investment will help Juridoc expand its comprehensive legal database and AI-powered search engine, which already serves over 4,000 paid users in Tunisia and Senegal. Read More

·       Warner Bros invests $57 million in OSN for minority stake Warner Bros has invested $57 million in OSN, acquiring a minority stake in the Middle Eastern entertainment company. This strategic investment aims to enhance OSN's content offerings and expand its reach in the region. Read More

·       Saudi fintech Arabian Pay receives investment to expand BNPL offerings Saudi Arabia-based fintech Arabian Pay has raised an undisclosed investment in its Pre-Seed round to enhance its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services for SMEs and startups. The funding will help Arabian Pay accelerate platform development and expand partnerships. Read More

·       Enza secures $6.75m seed funding to revolutionize African payments UAE-based fintech Enza has secured $6.75 million in seed funding to expand its payment solutions across Africa. The investment will strengthen Enza's presence in key markets and enhance its offerings for banks and fintechs. Read More

·       Nayla Finance boosts operations in KSA with $4 million seed investment Nayla Finance has raised $4 million in seed funding to expand its financial services in Saudi Arabia. The investment will support the company's growth and enhance its offerings in the region. Read More

·       Lumi AI secures $3.7 million seed round Lumi AI has raised $3.7 million in seed funding to advance its AI-driven solutions. The investment will help Lumi AI scale its operations and develop new products. Read More

·       African neobank 4G Capital completes Series C round African neobank 4G Capital has successfully closed its Series C funding round, securing an undisclosed amount to expand its financial services across the continent. The investment will support 4G Capital's mission to provide accessible banking solutions. Read More

·       SpikyAI receives investment from Apy Ventures SpikyAI has secured investment from Apy Ventures to enhance its AI-powered solutions. The funding will help SpikyAI expand its market presence and develop new features. Read More

·       Coca raises strategic investment to scale operations in UAE Coca has raised a strategic investment to expand its operations in the UAE. The funding will support Coca's growth and enhance its market position in the region. Read More

·       Valeo Health raises $12 million Series B, bringing total investment to $20 million Valeo Health has secured $12 million in Series B funding, increasing its total investment to $20 million. The funds will be used to advance Valeo Health's healthcare solutions and expand its reach. Read More

·       Rivy secures $4 million in pre-Series A funding to propel Africa's clean energy future Rivy, formerly known as Payhippo, has rebranded and raised $4 million in pre-Series A funding to drive Africa's clean energy initiatives. The investment will help Rivy expand its impact in the renewable energy sector. Read More

🤝 Partnerships

·       Emirates NBD partners with BlackRock to build private markets investment platform Emirates NBD has partnered with BlackRock to develop a private markets investment platform. This collaboration aims to provide innovative investment opportunities in the MEA region. Read More

 🔍 An Eye On Tech 

 

AI Innovation Surges: The week saw major AI advancements, including Mistral AI’s open-source Small 3.1 model and LG’s specialized EXAONE reasoning models. Google’s Gemini Canvas and Roblox’s Cube AI tools showcased deeper integration of generative AI into productivity and content creation.

• Cloud & Infrastructure Boom: Evroc raised €50M for AI infrastructure, Energy Abundance announced a green-powered “Data City” in Texas, and Megaport partnered with Angola Cables for global data center expansion—highlighting massive momentum in cloud and connectivity investments.

• Venture Capital Activity Mixed: VC deals increased by 6%, but total funding dropped 36% to $4.71B. Notable raises included Graphite ($52M), Proscia ($50M), and BuildOps ($127M Series C). AI, cybersecurity, and workflow tech dominated funding themes.

 

 🎙️Episodes Recap:

 

 In this episode, Mehmet speaks with Zeke Camusio , founder of Data Speaks, an AI-powered platform helping marketers and founders finally solve the attribution puzzle. From cutting through vanity metrics to deploying machine learning for media mix modeling, Zeke shares a tactical playbook for maximizing return on every marketing dollar—without increasing ad spend.

 

 In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Peter Bonney , CEO and Founder of Fastbreak, to discuss how AI is transforming one of the most painful processes in enterprise sales: responding to RFPs. With over 9 years of experience navigating the procurement landscape from both buyer and seller perspectives, Peter shares his bold vision for eliminating inefficiencies, empowering sales teams, and ultimately making the traditional RFP obsolete.

 

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Thank You 🙏: Your engagement drives our shared journey forward. Here's to another week of innovation and growth!

 

Best, Mehmet