News
Wave Bike Is On A Mission To Improve Beirut Commuting
The Dutch-Lebanese startup offers a pioneering e-bike service that aims to reduce traffic congestion in Lebanon’s busy capital.
Beirut — and Lebanon in general — is a place where cyclists are a comparatively rare site. Dutch entrepreneur Jan Willem de Coo, along with his all-Lebanese team at Wave Bike, aims to change that and, in the process, transform the daily commute for Lebanese workers.
“Cycling is one of the healthiest, most environmentally friendly, and financially accessible modes of city commuting. It is 18 times less polluting than driving a car and offers freedom of movement, reduces stress, and fulfills the daily physical activity required to live a healthy lifestyle,” explains Joyce Hamadeh, head of communications at Wave Bike.
Wave Bike was launched back in 2021, with a $250,000 investment helping the startup tackle Lebanon’s unique traffic dynamics, road systems, and geographic challenges. Now in full operation, Wave Bike’s fleet of 325 bicycles can be hired for as little as $49 per month.
Wave Bike assembles new additions to its fleet using a team of Lebanese mechanics. The bikes are shipped in from Taiwan and are specced with broader tires to navigate poor road surfaces, along with narrow bars for better maneuverability. Meanwhile, electric motors assist communities on inclines, and a handy center stand makes parking straightforward.
Also Read: eVTOL Gives Glimpse Into The Future Of Personal Air Travel
The bikes are offered on a subscription basis, which, according to Joyce Hamze, also includes safety gear: “Wave offers a monthly subscription, meaning every person will receive a bike of his/her own to keep until termination, and it includes maintenance, helmet, and theft insurance”.
Although Wave’s bikes use electric motors, the batteries consume little electricity. They’re also detachable, so can be recharged in a convenient location. Meanwhile, the company also offers an app that allows riders “the chance to discover the friendliest cycling routes while enjoying special features”, including routing, journey tracking, maintenance support, and access to Bike Functions.
News
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”.
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
Hyper-Personalization: How Far Is Too Far?
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
