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LEAP 2024 Will Shine A Light On Female Innovators In Technology
Women comprise nearly a third of the event’s speaker lineup alongside a dedicated program of high-level content, investment, and mentorship.
LEAP 2024, a premier global technology event, will highlight the achievements of women in the technology sector as it returns for its third edition at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham district from March 4 to 7.
Hosted by Tahaluf, a strategic collaboration between Informa PLC, the Events Investment Fund (EIF), and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), LEAP 2024 will feature a dedicated program titled “Women in Tech”. The program will offer enriching content, investment opportunities, networking sessions, mentorship programs, and a special startup award.
The initiative aims to inspire women to actively participate in the technology industry, aligning with broader diversity efforts. Reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to equality, the focus on “Women in Tech” coincides with the increasing female participation at LEAP events.
Annabelle Mander, Senior Vice President of Tahaluf, emphasized the event’s commitment to gender inclusivity, stating, “Female representation is across all of LEAP’s features and reflects the event’s mission of driving economic diversification and providing market access to international business. Within Tahaluf itself, half of our team members are women, and women make up half of our SMT, too”.
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The “Women in Tech” program will feature distinguished speakers including Nadine Hachach Haram, CEO and Founder of Proximie, and Sahar Albanarna from IMPACTIQUE Bahrain, who explained: “Over 26 million women worldwide with professional experience and degrees are not in the global workplace. This demographic includes a huge pool of untapped talent which technology can help unleash to fuel the co-creation of exponential solutions across multiple sectors. To help women access productive employment, we urge industry leaders to support high-impact female entrepreneurs as a means to boost their economies and accelerate the UN’s sustainable development goals by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth”.
The event will also provide a platform for female-led startups and entrepreneurs to pitch for funding and support through various initiatives such as the Women’s Investor Forum, Entrepreneur Mentorship Scheme, and the Aviatrix Award at the Rocket Fuel pitch competition, offering a prize fund of US$150,000.
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PayPal & TerraPay Join Forces For Cross-Border MENA Payments
The collaboration will be especially helpful in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is limited or inconsistent.
PayPal has teamed up with TerraPay to improve cross-border payments across the Middle East and Africa. The move is designed to make it easier and faster for users to send and receive money internationally, especially in regions where traditional banking infrastructure can be limited or inconsistent.
The partnership connects PayPal’s digital payments ecosystem with TerraPay’s global money transfer network. The goal is to streamline real-time transfers between banks, mobile wallets, and financial institutions, significantly improving access for millions of users looking to move money securely and efficiently.
Through the partnership, users will be able to link their PayPal accounts to local banks and mobile wallets using TerraPay’s platform. This means faster transactions and fewer barriers for individuals and businesses across the region.
“The Middle East and Africa are at the forefront of the digital transformation, yet financial barriers still limit growth for many,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager, Middle East and Africa at PayPal. “At PayPal, we’re committed to changing that […] Together, we’re helping unlock economic opportunity and build a more connected, inclusive financial future”.
For TerraPay, the deal is a chance to scale its reach while reinforcing its mission of frictionless digital transactions.
“Our mission at TerraPay is to create a world where digital transactions are effortless, secure, and accessible to all,” said Ani Sane, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at TerraPay. He added that the partnership is a major milestone for enhancing financial access in the Middle East and Africa, helping businesses grow and users move funds with fewer limitations.
Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East
The integration also aims to support financial inclusion in a region where access to global banking tools is still uneven. With interoperability at the core, TerraPay can bridge the gap between different financial systems — whether that’s a mobile wallet or a traditional bank — making it easier to send money, pay for services, or grow a business across borders.
As the demand for cross-border payment options continues to rise, both PayPal and TerraPay are doubling down on their commitment to provide reliable, secure, and forward-looking financial tools for the region.
PayPal & TerraPay Join Forces For Cross-Border MENA Payments
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