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Omantel Partners With Shaffra To Boost AI And Metaverse Tech
The strategic move will accelerate the country’s digital transformation and transform the local ICT infrastructure.
In an agreement formalized at Riyadh’s LEAP 2025 Conference, Omantel has teamed up with Shaffra Technology Labs in a strategic move to bring advanced AI and metaverse solutions to Oman. The technology from Singapore-based Shaffra will be integrated into Omantel’s cloud services and made available to both government institutions and private businesses.
Eng. Aladdin Bait Fadhel, Omantel’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation in Oman. “At Omantel, our vision is to solidify our leadership role as a key enabler of Oman’s digital transformation and to be the premier provider of innovative technology solutions in the region. Our collaboration with Shaffra will significantly contribute to developing cutting-edge technology solutions, particularly in artificial intelligence, for our customers”.
Shaffra’s CEO, Al Harith Al Atawi, echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting how the partnership will introduce advanced AI and metaverse solutions to the Omani market, and noting a key initiative, the AI employee project, that has already gained traction across various government and private entities in multiple countries. “We aim to deliver a unique experience for Omantel customers through this partnership and innovative projects that enhance productivity and reduce costs,” said Al Atawi.
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The Shaffra partnership aligns with Omantel’s ongoing efforts to attract cutting-edge global technologies and strengthen Oman’s ICT infrastructure in line with the country’s 2040 strategy. By working with leading international tech firms, Omantel is focused on accelerating Oman’s digital transformation, ensuring countrywide access to top-tier digital solutions.
Omantel has long been a key player in Oman’s telecommunications landscape, leveraging its expertise in digital technology and communications to deliver innovative, cross-sector solutions such as AI, cloud computing, smart technologies, and cybersecurity.
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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.
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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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