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Dubai Teams Up With Elon Musk’s Boring Company For “Dubai Loop”
The proposed underground transport system will span 17 kilometers and include 11 stations, serving over 20,000 passengers per hour.
Dubai is making a bold move toward futuristic transportation after announcing that its Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will team with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to develop the “Dubai Loop.” The collaboration was revealed during the recent World Governments Summit, an annual event that gathers global leaders to discuss future innovation.
The proposed Dubai Loop will span 17 kilometers underground and include 11 stations, aiming to transport over 20,000 passengers per hour. Operating with driverless electric vehicles, the system promises a rapid, congestion-free travel experience — similar to the Las Vegas Loop.
According to The Boring Company, the Dubai Loop will function as a point-to-point system, allowing passengers to reach their destination directly without intermittent stops. With speeds reaching up to 160 km per hour (100 mph), the system will offer a fast and efficient alternative to traditional public transport.
Elon Musk confirmed the partnership via video link at the World Governments Summit, describing the project as a way for travelers to move through Dubai like passing through a “wormhole” — eliminating long distances and traffic congestion.
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Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, who led the discussion with Musk, highlighted the project’s potential impact. “The Loop project is going to cover Dubai’s most densely populated areas for people to go from point to point in a seamless manner. We hope to change people’s lives”.
During the discussion, Musk, who is also leading the Trump administration’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) emphasized the need for streamlined government processes and technological advancements in governance. He noted that efficient tunnel-based transport offers a safer and more practical alternative to emerging concepts like flying cars and UAVs.
Once operational, the Dubai Loop will connect key areas across the city, significantly cutting travel times and revolutionizing urban mobility.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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