botim Launches Upgraded User Interface to Accelerate Its Fintech-First Transformation - Middle East Business News and Information
Built on a strong VoIP foundation that established seamless communication, botim has evolved into a fintech-first, AI-native platform by integrating advanced financial features designed to meet the changing needs of its users. From January to May 2025, Botim saw a 50% increase in monthly active wallet users, a strong indicator of its growing relevance in the digital finance space. The redesigned interface is faster, more intuitive, and purposefully structured to simplify how users interact with its core functions including payments, transfers, lending, and calling.
'botim has always been a trusted platform for meaningful connection but is much more. With this update, we're reinforcing our position as a fintech-first platform, built on a foundation of secure VoIP, and designed with simplicity at its core,' said H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member at Astra Tech and CEO of botim. 'We've streamlined the experience to meet the needs of a growing user base that expects more not just from communication, but from the way they interact and manage their financial services as well'
As the UAE continues to experience significant population growth, reaching an all-time high of 11.22 million in 2025 according to Worldometer,botim stands as a trusted platform for this expanding community combining seamless communication and financial tools into one unified experience. botim's evolution from a local service to a globally scalable solution reflects market demand with its embedded financial services such as peer-to-peer transfers and lending designed to meet users' everyday financial needs, no matter where they are.
botim's AI-native foundation enhances accessibility through intelligent features such as real-time translation, smart call filters, and an interactive in-app chatbot, serving a diverse, multilingual audience.
These advancements have driven the platform's latest interface update. Designed around real user behavior, the new UI makes it easier to perform everyday actions from payments and transfers to lending and calling. Services are now clearly segmented, navigation is more intuitive, and the overall experience is simplified to meet the demands of an increasingly digital, mobile-first audience.
The app adapts to user profiles, from first-time users to VIPs, surfacing the most relevant services. Financial tools are now directly accessible within chat with a single click, while improved call quality and AI-powered chatbot assistance further enhance the user experience.
The result is greater responsiveness, reduced clutter, and increased clarity all tailored to the needs of a growing, digitally active population.
This interface update is the first step in a broader brand evolution. As the platform continues to grow in both scale and capability, botim will begin introducing a more integrated identity across its financial services laying the groundwork for a more connected, fintech-first ecosystem.
About Astra Tech
Astra Tech is a UAE-based consumer technology investment and development group operating across the MENA region. Established in 2022, the company owns and operates a portfolio of leading digital platforms including Botim, PayBy, and Quantix. With a mission to redefine consumer technology through AI and innovation, Astra Tech developed the Botim Ultra app, the region's first platform to integrate communication, fintech, and services under one roof. PayBy, Astra Tech's fintech subsidiary, is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Stored Value Facility (SVF) and Retail Payment Services (RPS) provider. Serving over 150 million users in 155 countries, Astra Tech is setting new benchmarks for financial accessibility and consumer empowerment. In 2024, its fintech arm Quantix received the Finance Company License from the UAE Central Bank and secured a $500 million investment from Citi, the largest funding deal for a fintech in UAE history.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
14 hours ago
- Mid East Info
botim Debuts at Wembley in The F.A Community Shield Opener for beIN SPORTS Viewers - Middle East Business News and Information
* botim's bold new branding to reach millions of beIN SPORTS viewers across MENA during the Liverpool vs Crystal Palace match. Dubai, UAE, 08 August 2025 – botim, Astra Tech's flagship platform and the UAE's first AI-native fintech app, is stepping onto one of football's biggest stages. The newly rebranded botim will make its regional broadcast debut on beIN SPORTS during The FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace, live from Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025. The appearance marks botim's latest brand milestone following its transformation from a VoIP app into a next-generation fintech-first platform, blending communication, payments, and AI-driven digital services. With over 150 million users globally and a growing fintech base in the UAE, botim's evolution reflects a deeper mission: simplifying life through technology and financial inclusion. 'Our presence at the Community Shield isn't just a brand moment, it's a statement of intent.' said H.E Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member at Astra Tech and CEO of botim. He added 'Much like football, botim speaks a universal language. It is more than a platform, it's a catalyst for connection, empowering communities, families, and individuals with access to innovation, offering UAE residents smarter ways to send, save, or spend. It is all about breaking barriers and this is just the beginning.' Just as the The F.A Community Shield marks the kickoff of the English Premier League season, this moment marks a new chapter for botim, one where local relevance, regional ambition, and global recognition converge. While botim's communication features serve users across the globe, botim's embedded financial services are currently available in the UAE, supporting over 8 million residents with smarter ways to manage money. -END- About botim botim, part of Astra Tech's ecosystem, is the MENA region's leading fintech company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Botim is a fintech-first, AI-native platform offering inclusive, user-centric solutions for financial services. Built on the foundation of being the UAE's first free VoIP provider, Botim has evolved into a multi-layered ecosystem serving over 150 million users across 155 countries. Designed to meet the needs of MENA consumers, businesses, and communities, botim delivers integrated services with innovation, accessibility, and regulatory credibility at its core. botim is building the next generation of everyday finance and connectivity easier, smarter, and more inclusive for everyone.
Mid East Info
21-07-2025
- Mid East Info
botim Launches Upgraded User Interface to Accelerate Its Fintech-First Transformation - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE, 21st July – botim, Astra Tech's flagship fintech-first platform in the MENA region, just launched a refreshed brand identity and an upgraded user interface. This update marks the next chapter in the app's evolution, serving a growing global user base of over 150 million with an improved experience. Built on a strong VoIP foundation that established seamless communication, botim has evolved into a fintech-first, AI-native platform by integrating advanced financial features designed to meet the changing needs of its users. From January to May 2025, Botim saw a 50% increase in monthly active wallet users, a strong indicator of its growing relevance in the digital finance space. The redesigned interface is faster, more intuitive, and purposefully structured to simplify how users interact with its core functions including payments, transfers, lending, and calling. 'botim has always been a trusted platform for meaningful connection but is much more. With this update, we're reinforcing our position as a fintech-first platform, built on a foundation of secure VoIP, and designed with simplicity at its core,' said H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member at Astra Tech and CEO of botim. 'We've streamlined the experience to meet the needs of a growing user base that expects more not just from communication, but from the way they interact and manage their financial services as well' As the UAE continues to experience significant population growth, reaching an all-time high of 11.22 million in 2025 according to Worldometer,botim stands as a trusted platform for this expanding community combining seamless communication and financial tools into one unified experience. botim's evolution from a local service to a globally scalable solution reflects market demand with its embedded financial services such as peer-to-peer transfers and lending designed to meet users' everyday financial needs, no matter where they are. botim's AI-native foundation enhances accessibility through intelligent features such as real-time translation, smart call filters, and an interactive in-app chatbot, serving a diverse, multilingual audience. These advancements have driven the platform's latest interface update. Designed around real user behavior, the new UI makes it easier to perform everyday actions from payments and transfers to lending and calling. Services are now clearly segmented, navigation is more intuitive, and the overall experience is simplified to meet the demands of an increasingly digital, mobile-first audience. The app adapts to user profiles, from first-time users to VIPs, surfacing the most relevant services. Financial tools are now directly accessible within chat with a single click, while improved call quality and AI-powered chatbot assistance further enhance the user experience. The result is greater responsiveness, reduced clutter, and increased clarity all tailored to the needs of a growing, digitally active population. This interface update is the first step in a broader brand evolution. As the platform continues to grow in both scale and capability, botim will begin introducing a more integrated identity across its financial services laying the groundwork for a more connected, fintech-first ecosystem. About Astra Tech Astra Tech is a UAE-based consumer technology investment and development group operating across the MENA region. Established in 2022, the company owns and operates a portfolio of leading digital platforms including Botim, PayBy, and Quantix. With a mission to redefine consumer technology through AI and innovation, Astra Tech developed the Botim Ultra app, the region's first platform to integrate communication, fintech, and services under one roof. PayBy, Astra Tech's fintech subsidiary, is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Stored Value Facility (SVF) and Retail Payment Services (RPS) provider. Serving over 150 million users in 155 countries, Astra Tech is setting new benchmarks for financial accessibility and consumer empowerment. In 2024, its fintech arm Quantix received the Finance Company License from the UAE Central Bank and secured a $500 million investment from Citi, the largest funding deal for a fintech in UAE history.
Mid East Info
19-05-2025
- Mid East Info
Astra Tech and 7X Partner to Advance Digital Financial Services and Integrated Trade and Logistics Solutions
* Collaboration advances UAE digital transformation goals through unified finance, logistics, and identity solutions * Agreement leverages FINTX and WAYN to drive financial inclusion, cross-border remittances, and last-mile delivery integration Dubai, UAE – 16th May 2025: Astra Tech, the leading consumer technology holding group behind Botim, has announced a strategic partnership with 7X, the investment holding group in trade, transport, and logistics. The agreement, formalized during the Dubai FinTech Summit (DFS), sets the stage for an integrated digital ecosystem that combines financial services, logistics, and last-mile delivery, advancing the UAE's vision for a connected, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy. The collaboration will enhance access to secure, compliant, and customer-centric services by embedding remittance capabilities, salary processing via both Wages Protection System (WPS) solutions through the innovative Botim Salary Card, and digital payment tools into everyday platforms. It also catalyzes future enhancements, including AI-powered address verification, last-mile delivery integration, and expanded payment acceptance points. Astra Tech's WPS solution, the Botim Salary Card, will be rolled out to FINTX's (the fintech arm of 7X) extensive customer base, marking a significant expansion in salary disbursement capabilities across businesses' clientele through a trusted and compliant delivery network. FINTX plays a central role in this collaboration, reinforcing its mandate as a trusted financial enabler and expanding the reach of UAE-born fintech capabilities across all user segments and geographies. In addition, the agreement also explores new avenues to expand Botim's international remittance services through FINTX's global financial network, connecting users to agent locations worldwide. By embedding this infrastructure into the Botim app, users will be able to send and receive cross-border remittances quickly and securely from within the platform they already use every day. This expansion positions Botim as a comprehensive financial services platform meeting the everyday needs of both domestic and international users. The collaboration also lays the groundwork for a broader range of fintech and logistics innovations. These include wallet top-ups and eKYC services at FINTX's Wall Street Exchange branches, enabling Botim Wallet payments at 7X retail locations, deploying point-of-sale systems to support SME digitization, and improving last-mile delivery logistics. Other areas under exploration include address verification powered by the WAYN platform, UAE's Digital P.O. Box, to support verified deliveries and secure digital identities. WAYN's integration will enable more secure, reliable communication and transactions across Botim's user base, contributing to the national digital infrastructure. It will also explore corporate payment integrations via WASLAH, the comprehensive logistics platform by 7X. Commenting on the signing, Ahmed Mourad, Chief Operating Officer of Astra Tech, said the partnership with 7X represents a major leap forward in Astra Tech's mission to redefine access to digital finance across the region. He noted that embedding financial tools into everyday digital experiences is not only about convenience but about building a sustainable infrastructure for long-term financial empowerment. Tariq Al Wahedi, Acting Group CEO of 7X, said: 'This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to shaping a future where finance, logistics, and technology converge to serve people better. By joining forces with Astra Tech, we are advancing our shared commitment to supporting national priorities in digital transformation and empowering communities through accessible, integrated, and secure financial and last-mile services. This collaboration is a pivotal milestone in our roadmap to position 7X as a regional force in digital finance and smart trade infrastructure. We will be unlocking new opportunities to simplify how people move money, goods, and services, laying the foundation for a seamless, customer-centric ecosystem that is built for scale, inclusion, and innovation.' As part of 7X's broader digital strategy, FINTX and WAYN serve as critical enablers in this rollout. FINTX ensures that the financial integrations are robust, scalable, and regulatory-compliant, while WAYN strengthens last-mile authentication and secure identity verification for seamless delivery and communication. The partnership will be rolled out in phases, beginning with deployment of Botim Salary Cards to FINTX's WPS customer base, followed by remittance service integrations. Future phases will explore loyalty programs, logistics enhancements, and expanded financial and business services, making this one of the most comprehensive fintech collaborations in the region. This announcement reinforces Astra Tech and 7X's shared commitment to the UAE's national agenda for digital transformation and financial inclusion by making essential financial services accessible through a single, unified digital platform. -END- About Astra Tech Astra Tech is a UAE-based consumer technology investment and development group operating across the MENA region. Established in 2022, the company owns and operates a portfolio of leading digital platforms including Botim, PayBy, and Quantix. With a mission to redefine consumer technology through AI and innovation, Astra Tech developed the Botim Ultra app, the region's first platform to integrate communication, fintech, and services under one roof. PayBy, Astra Tech's fintech subsidiary, is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Stored Value Facility (SVF) and Retail Payment Services (RPS) provider. Serving over 150 million users in 155 countries, Astra Tech is setting new benchmarks for financial accessibility and consumer empowerment. In 2024, its fintech arm Quantix received the Finance Company License from the UAE Central Bank and secured a $500 million investment from Citi, the largest funding deal for a fintech in UAE history. About 7X 7X, a Public Joint Stock Company under the Emirates Investment Authority. 7X operates as a trade, transport, and logistics investment and holding group, headquartered in Dubai, overseeing and managing its diverse portfolio, including its logistics arm EMX, its fintech arm FINTX, its digital transformation business EDC, and postal services through Emirates Post. 7X supports the UAE's socio-economic development by integrating national goals across logistics, eCommerce, financial inclusion, and digitalization. It is the driving force enabling a world in motion from the 7 emirates to the 7 continents, and across the 7 seas.
