Enza and Soter both raise fresh funds + Maserati plans island development in Dubai

Enza tops up its seed round to push deeper into Africa

UAE-based fintech enza raised USD 6 mn in a Seed+ round to expand its payments infrastructure business into more African markets, the startup said in a press release. The company already serves banks and fintechs in 12 African countries. The raise brings its total funding to USD 12.8 mn, following a USD 6.8 mn seed round last year.

Who’s in: Africa-focused VC 4DX Ventures led the round, with British International Investment (BII) joining as a new investor. Existing backers Algebra Ventures (Egypt) and Quona Capital (the US) also took part.

Maserati plans island development in Dubai

Maserati is lending its name to an island at Dubai’s World Islands, with Dubai-based developer Samana Collecta set to build 840 Maserati-branded homes alongside hotel and leisure facilities, according to a press release. Maserati Island is due for completion in 2030.

IN CONTEXT- Carmakers are crowding into Dubai’s branded residence market. Bugatti has a 43-story tower under development with Binghatti, the same developer behind Mercedes-Benz Places, a project that has drawn strong demand. Branded residences have become one of the market’s growth engines, analysts told us in July.

More big names back Soter

Digital asset insurer Soter Insure has brought Standard Chartered’s venture arm SC Ventures and Japan’s SBI Group into its Series B, completing a second close on the round, according to a press release. Existing backer Token Bay Capital, based in Abu Dhabi Global Market, also took part. Coinbase Ventures, Brevan Howard Digital, and Franklin Templeton came in at the first close in July. Soter didn’t disclose the size of the round.

What the money’s for: Soter plans to strengthen its underwriting, expand into more digital asset markets, including Asia Pacific, and boost ins. capacity. It has already partnered with Dubai Ins. to offer policies priced and settled in BTC and Ether.

UAE is all set to digitize temporary goods clearance

UAE rolled out the eATA Carnet system, replacing physical documentation with a digital platform to accelerate border clearances for temporary imports, according to state news agency Wam. Supported by Dubai Chambers and the International Chamber of Commerce, the move makes the UAE the first country outside Europe to adopt the digital carnet.

Why it matters: Known as a “passport for goods,” the ATA Carnet allows businesses to temporarily import goods without paying customs duties or import taxes. Between 2011 and 2025, the UAE issued and received 63.5k ATA Carnets covering goods valued at AED 54.4 bn. Digitizing the workflow eliminates paper handling and cuts clearance delays at ports of entry — lowering administrative friction for trade fair organizers, exhibitors, and logistics operators moving high-value equipment into the country.