PAYMENTS-

Mashreq rolls out Aani instant payments for SMEs: Our friends at Mashreq have launched Aani Instant Payments for SME clients, allowing businesses to collect payments in real time via QR codes or links, without the need to enter an IBAN, according to a LinkedIn post. Merchant QR codes will also be available through the Mashreq Biz app from 9 June. Mashreq is the first UAE bank to offer Aani to SMEs.

EDUCATION-

Schneider rolls out AED 100 mn initiative + opens its first impact building in Dubai: Schneider Electric has launched an AED 100 mn education initiative in the UAE and has set up its new regional HQ in Dubai Silicon Oasis, state news agency Wam reports. The five-year education initiative, which will be rolled out in phases, will modernize engineering labs with energy and automation technologies, provide mentorship programs, and fund applied research through partnerships with universities and industry leaders.

About the HQ: The Nest is Schneider’s first impact building — a smart building equipped with integrated digital solutions — and the 10k sqm office in Dubai Silicon Oasis houses 1k employees, according to a press release. The site features a training center for customers and partners, and aims to cut energy consumption by 37% and reduce CO2 emissions by 572 metric tons annually.

TRANSPORT-

Pony.ai to launch robotaxi trials in Dubai this year: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an MoU with China-based autonomous vehicle developer Pony.ai to deploy its robotaxi fleet in the city, according to a press release. Supervised trials will start this year, with fully driverless operations slated to begin in 2026. Pony.ai aims to eventually integrate its robotaxis with Dubai’s metro, tram, and water transport systems.

RTA is going all in on robotaxis, having also signed an MoU with Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing arm Apollo Go in April to launch a fleet of driverless taxis in Dubai, starting with 50 vehicles in the next few months and gradually scaling to 1k autonomous cabs by 2026.

RETAIL-

Dubai Future Foundation and Majid Al Futtaim test retail robotics in mall: Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Majid Al Futtaim have launched a robotics pilot program at City Center Mirdif mall, deploying two avatar-style robots to assist shoppers with navigation, according to a press release.

The bigger picture: The trial is part of a research collaboration between Dubai Future Labs and Japan’s Osaka University under the Moonshot Research and Development Program, which targets widespread robotic avatar use by 2050.

REAL ESTATE-

Dalands, Marriott to launch W Residences on Al Marjan Island: UAE-based DalandsHolding has signed an agreement with Marriott International, backed by Ras Al Khaimah developer Marjan, to launch W Residences Al Marjan Island, according to a press release. The 201-unit beachfront residential project is set to open in 4Q 2027, and will sit alongside the W Al Marjan Island hotel in Ras Al Khaimah.

ENERGY-

#1- ENEC, GE Vernova Hitachi to explore deployment of small modular reactors: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) have signed an agreement to evaluate the global deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology both in the UAE and internationally, according to an Abu Dhabi Media Office statement. The agreement builds on a 2023 MoU signed during COP28.

The details: The partners will develop a roadmap covering site selection, licensing, investment, commercialization, and supply chains. SMRs are gaining traction, especially for powering energy-intensive data centers.

ICYMI- ENEC has been actively expanding its international portfolio, inking agreements in recent years with French-Italian nuclear operator Newcleo, China National Nuclear Corporation, and Moltex Flex and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation on nuclear technology.

#2- Snoc and AUS partner on decade-long innovation fund: Sharjah National Oil Corporation (Snoc) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) have established an AED 10 mn fund to support research, sustainable initiatives, conferences and workshops addressing energy and environmental challenges, Sharjah24 reports. The Snoc Energy, Environment, and Innovation will be distributed over 10 years.

UTILITIES-

Taqa, Emsteel team up to boost utilities for Abu Dhabi industry: Abu Dhabi utility and energy firm Taqa subsidiary Taqa Distribution has signed an MoU with steel and building materials manufacturer Emsteel to explore delivering integrated power and water solutions across Abu Dhabi’s industrial zones, according to a press release (pdf). The agreement covers end-to-end electricity and water network design, operations, and maintenance, as well as ready-for-use technical teams

AI-

More AI agents courtesy of CNTXT AI and Beam AI: UAE-based AI infrastructure and data governance firm CNTXT AI has signed an MoU with autonomous AI agent platform Beam AI to provide AI agent solutions for GCC governments and corporations, according to a press release. The partnership will deploy Beam AI’s agents on CNTXT AI’s infrastructure in the GCC, including in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Applications include automating tenant inquiries and lease underwriting in real estate, invoice analysis and transaction monitoring in finance, structured data extraction in data management, and citizen queries and permit processing in government sectors.

CRYPTO-

Changer and Bitgrit partner on blockchain project in Abu Dhabi: Digital asset custodian Changer and AI startup Bitgrit have signed an MoU to develop blockchain-based AI solutions under Abu Dhabi’s distributed ledger technology foundation, Khaleej Times reports. Changer will act as custodian for Bitgrit’s BGR tokens, and later on for secure AI models tokenized on Bitgrit’s BGR Network — a blockchain ecosystem for tokenizing and trading AI datasets.

DEBT-

DIB loans USD 150 mn to Turkcell for digital infrastructure: Dubai Islamic Bank has signed a USD 150 mn shariah-compliant Murabaha facility with Turkish telecoms and technology services provider Turkcell, according to a statement. The five-year facility will support investments in data centers, cloud services, and renewable energy, and help expand the telco’s digital infrastructure.

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