PayTabs Unveils Saudi-Built AI Payment Platform
PayTabs Group, a MENA-based payment orchestration company, has announced the launch of its upgraded AI-powered payment orchestration platform.
Developed over four months in Saudi Arabia, the platform is expected to surpass SAR 325 billion in transaction processing, supporting the Kingdom's financial inclusion and digital transformation goals.
Among its recent initiatives, PayTabs launched the AI Payment Acceptance Booster to reduce transaction declines and began a Data Warehouse project aimed at providing real-time financial analytics and risk management services.
A key component of its orchestration layer is the PayTabs Moderator Platform, developed for banks, financial institutions, and large corporations to enhance operational efficiency.
The AI-powered orchestration platform enables unified oversight of the payment ecosystem through plug-and-play APIs and secure local hosting within Saudi Arabia.
This setup is designed to improve compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency across finance and other industries.
PayTabs' infrastructure has already been deployed in North African countries such as Morocco, GCC markets like the UAE, and CIS countries including Azerbaijan.
The company says its technology is scalable across emerging markets and positions Saudi-developed fintech solutions for broader global application.
Commenting on the launch, Abdulaziz Al Jouf, CEO and Founder of PayTabs, said:
'The launch of our Saudi-built, AI-powered payment orchestration platform represents a bold step forward, not just for PayTabs but for Saudi Arabia's vision of AI leadership. With scalable AI-powered infrastructure, PayTabs is poised to deliver Saudi technology across emerging markets, equipping businesses and financial institutions with the agility to compete globally.'
Since July 2024, PayTabs has been implementing its AI strategy across all operations, introducing an AI-driven CRM, automated customer support, and AI-powered KYC/KYB onboarding.
AI is also being used in fraud prevention, marketing, transaction monitoring, and sales functions.
This internal transformation includes restructured workflows, revised engineering priorities, and new approaches to customer support and sales.
A structured change management process is being applied across departments as the company transitions to an AI-centric model.
By July 2025, PayTabs aims to extend its AI-powered services to over one million clients.
The company is also preparing for IPO and further market expansion, as it positions itself for long-term growth in the digital economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
10 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Think big, start small, iterate often: A practical guide to setting up successful AI projects
Image: Supplied While AI and generative AI are top tech priorities for companies in 2025, with This is often due to a lack of clear purpose, unrealistic expectations, or a fundamental misunderstanding of AI's nature. Companies tend to jump into an AI project without identifying the problem that needs solving or with the misguided notion that AI is simply a more sophisticated form of automation. The twin pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering are compounded when AI professionals lack the necessary project management skills to run a full-scale AI transformation project and when project managers treat AI projects like non-data projects. The high failure rates indicate the urgency for organisations to fine-tune their strategies and align goals between key stakeholders to position their projects for success. To drive value from AI, project professionals must identify the specific problem(s) they're trying to solve. This will help guide how they measure success – through savings in cost, time, and resources, or by improving compliance and user satisfaction. Data is the lifeblood of any AI initiative AI projects are not like traditional software projects. Data is the lifeblood of any AI initiative – and not just any data, but high-quality, relevant, and properly curated data. This means that project managers must take a data-centric perspective to better understand how that data drives outcomes. Using a framework that accounts for the unique demands of data-driven projects and provides clear processes and practices for data-heavy, iterative projects is essential. To do this, project managers must learn to ask the right questions to make a critical AI Go/No-Go decision. What problem are we trying to solve? Can this be solved through other methods such as automation or programming, or does it require AI? If AI solutions are required, what is the return on investment that we are targeting? To make the project viable and ensure a sound business case, robust data availability, and supporting technologies aligned to the project needs are key requirements. Other crucial deciding factors include establishing relevant KPIs that highlight key aspects of the project's impact; understanding how success is measured; availability of sufficient historical data; and recognizing the potential integration challenges within the organisation's existing systems. For successful AI project management, remember this key principle to guide your thinking: 'Think big. Start small. Iterate often'. Begin by focusing on a small but specific, well-defined problem. Look at the data available. Is it 100 per cent accessible and usable? Is it internal data? External data? How will you prep the data? Working with data you can immediately access makes it easier to iterate and move on to solving bigger challenges. In this way, the process is driven by business understanding but shaped by data understanding. The CPMAI methodology positions AI projects for long-term success as it turns the spotlight on people and processes, making these processes more iterative and adaptable. However, project management professionals must remember that a proof of concept alone is not enough. As AI solutions need to be trained on real-world data — rather than lab-controlled data -— building a small pilot project in the real world, using real-world data, with real-world users is what AI project leaders should aim for. This makes it easier to see how your AI solution works in the real world, allowing the team to monitor performance, gather feedback, and immediately address issues to make the model work and scale up based on the outcomes. No room for a 'set it and forget it' A key feature of all AI projects is that their lifecycles are continuous. Treating AI projects as one-time investments is setting them up for failure. In AI, there is no room for a 'set it and forget it' mentality as models require regular evaluation and retraining. Without this ongoing process of refinement, it can lead to misaligned ROI and poor or costly outcomes. My colleague, Hanny Alshazly, MD for the Middle East and North Africa at PMI, has described AI as 'a game-changer' in driving the success of the region's ambitious mega projects. 47 per cent of project managers in the MENA today utilise AI to predict and mitigate risks and AI-enabled performance monitoring is shrinking project delivery timelines by 20 per cent, demonstrating its impact on overall project outcomes. AI elevates the role of project professionals, making them strategic partners in ensuring the organisation's ability to implement AI-driven transformation. Project managers are responsible for adopting methodologies tailored to the unique challenges of AI projects such as iterative development, data-centricity, and real-world pilots. The project manager's pivotal role in a project's success makes it imperative to invest in their training and education to help organisations drive real business value from AI. Finally, we must remember that AI is not a replacement for humans or human intelligence. It's a tool that can augment human capabilities, enabling individuals to perform a task or function better, faster, or with more precision or accuracy. Decisions, at the end of the day, are still made by humans. For AI to have an enduring positive impact, it must be done responsibly. This means considering ethical implications, ensuring fairness and transparency, and protecting data privacy. We need to build AI systems that are not only intelligent but also trustworthy. Maintaining an always-learning growth mindset is key and will ultimately determine whether an organization thrives or falters in the age of AI. The writer is the director, AI Engagement and Community at Project Management Institute. Read:
Zawya
13 minutes ago
- Zawya
Qatar based ISLAMWEB migrates to Google Cloud becoming the benchmark for content delivery websites in MENA
Doha Qatar: As digitization envelopes various industries across the globe and in the MENA region, ISLAMWEB ( an Islamic religion knowledge and content provider, visited by more than 600,000 people daily, has partnered with Google Cloud, the AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tool provider, to upgrade its digital reach as it grows. The implementation was delivered by Qatar based Advanced Business Computing, a leading regional enabler of secure, scalable, and cloud-native solutions. The announcement, shared during the Google Cloud Summit Doha Qatar, held on May 29th, 2025, at the Qatar National Convention Center, which offered the latest trends in AI, Data Cloud, Security, showcased how ISLAMWEB has levelled up its digital reach and presence making its platform faster, safer and more scalable through Google Cloud. ISLAMWEB migrated its website infrastructure onto Google Cloud and implemented Apigee API Management which creates quality APIs (Application Programming Interface) without any specialized expertise integrated into Cloud Code, a major step in digital modernization. Committed to delivering faster, more secure and scalable digital services to its growing user base, ISLAMWEB, opted to migrate its infrastructure to Google Cloud, as part of its modernization efforts. ISLAMWEB by implementing Google Cloud now offers a future-ready platform that is more resilient, scalable with high performing. Additionally, the centralized platform also offers seamless developer collaboration, allowing for enhanced monitoring, visibility and reliability. ABC enabled ISLAMWEB not only to modernize the technical aspect their platform but also raised the bar for digital excellence in the MENA region. Bassem Shatila, General Manager, Advanced Business Computing noted, 'Whether improving content delivery or developer workflows, ISLAMWEB is now fully equipped to meet the evolving demands of today's digital environment. We are proud to have assisted in their growth strategy by optimizing their business resources and operations.' Google Cloud is now offered in 42 regions across the globe and continues to expand as digitization and AI implementations spur. About Advanced Business Computing Advanced Business Computing is one of Qatar's top Information Technology Products and Services providers. The company partners with top vendors in the industry; in addition to this Google Cloud success, it is a Dell Technologies Titanium Partner, an Apple Authorized Reseller, a Microsoft Gold Partner, and a VMware Enterprise Solutions Provider. Highly experienced and well trusted as an IT partner in the Qatar market, ABC has built a reputation based on providing excellent products, solutions, and services, blended with exemplary customer care. About ISLAMWEB Islamweb is a site designed to enrich the viewers' knowledge and appreciation of Islam. Its aim is to provide the viewing community substantial knowledge about Islam, particularly the non-Muslim who may need clarification of common distortions of the media and misrepresentations of ill-informed followers. The purpose of this site is to increase the awareness of Muslims and non-Muslims alike about the mission of Islam to warn mankind of God's punishment and to give the good news of their salvation in Islam. Islam is a revealed religion and a way of life that addresses all aspects of the human condition. As a rule, Islamweb adopts balanced and moderate views, devoid of bias and extremism. It is designed to address the interests of a wide audience - casual viewers, new converts to Islam, and Muslims of long standing. About Google Cloud Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.
Fintech News ME
an hour ago
- Fintech News ME
Stride Ventures Expands in Saudi as Venture Debt Surges in GCC
Stride Ventures, a India-based player in venture debt, has announced a significant expansion across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with Saudi Arabia at the centre of its regional strategy. This includes doubling its local team and opening a second regional office, signalling a growing focus on alternative financing models in the region. The announcement aligns with the release of the inaugural Global Venture Debt Report 2025, published by Stride Ventures in collaboration with consultancy firm Kearney. According to the report, while the global venture debt market has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% over the past five years, the GCC market has expanded at 54% CAGR, reaching US$500 million in 2024 from $60 million in 2020. Saudi Arabia has been a key driver of this growth. This development is largely attributed to Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's initiative to diversify its economy beyond oil. State-backed efforts such as the Jada Fund of Funds, which manages US$1.07 billion in assets, and collaborations with international asset managers including Goldman Sachs and Franklin Templeton, have helped bolster private credit markets. Regulatory bodies and innovation hubs in Abu Dhabi, such as the ADGM and Hub71, have also contributed to creating a supportive environment for venture debt and private capital. Historically, traditional banks in the GCC have been hesitant to lend to early-stage, asset-light startups. Venture debt, which offers non-dilutive and flexible financing, has emerged as a viable alternative. Companies like Tabby and Tamara in the fintech sector have secured over US$100 million each in venture debt deals, setting precedents for other sectors such as logistics, healthtech, and climate tech. Stride Ventures has grown its team in the GCC by more than 60% over the past year and aims to triple its regional assets under management by 2026. The firm is targeting a US$500 million commitment in the region over the next three to five years. Its most recent fund is reportedly close to being oversubscribed. Currently, Stride Ventures has an active investment pipeline of approximately US$110 million in the region, with average deal sizes around US$10 million. This points to increasing demand among startups for debt financing that avoids equity dilution. Stride's model of providing substantial, flexible funding is intended to support startups aiming for rapid but sustainable growth. There is also a noticeable shift in talent flows, with senior professionals from established financial centres such as Silicon Valley, London, and Singapore relocating to Riyadh. 'Saudi Arabia is shaping the future of venture capital and private credit with intention and scale,' said Fariha Ansari Javed, Partner at Stride Ventures. 'We are seeing a new generation of founders who understand the value of non-dilutive capital to scale responsibly and an equally ambitious set of investors in the region ready to fuel their growth.' This signals a broader shift in the region's financial role. Traditionally viewed as a source of capital, the Middle East is now positioning itself as a centre for innovation financing. As Javed noted, 'Saudi Arabia is moving from being a capital source to becoming a capital magnet. Stride is proud to be part of this next chapter.' The key question now is not whether venture debt will take hold in the GCC, but how quickly it will scale, and whether regional institutions can evolve to meet the needs of a changing investment landscape.
