In a significant recognition of innovation in the financial technology sector, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice President of the Council of Ministers, announced that Ziina has been awarded the Dubai-it Award in the Business category. This accolade celebrates the company’s remarkable success in developing a financial platform that originated in Dubai, providing entrepreneurs with effortless and swift payment solutions.
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Spirit
During the announcement, Sheikh Hamdan praised Ziina’s founders—siblings Faisal, Sara, and Talal Touqan—for seizing the opportunity to create a comprehensive financial platform in Dubai, aptly named after their mother. He noted that the platform now serves over 500,000 users and supports 290,000 business owners, particularly benefiting small and home-based enterprises. Sheikh Hamdan commented, “Today, we present the Dubai-it Award in the commercial sector to Ziina. From Dubai and with the efforts of young Arabs, the platform has simplified payment acceptance for thousands of businesses, witnessing over $1.5 billion in transactions in a remarkably short time.”
A Platform Designed for Modern Needs
Ziina has redefined the payment experience by making it simpler and more streamlined via mobile devices, allowing business owners to accept payments directly through their phones without the need for separate payment devices. Over four years, the platform has launched more than 13 products and features, enabling users to send, receive, store, and spend money easily. The company reported a staggering 163% growth in the number of active businesses on their platform within a single year, alongside continuous growth in their user base since inception.
Encouraging Youth Initiatives
Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Executive Office, highlighted the abundant opportunities in Dubai, encouraging young Arabs to harness these chances to build their companies and convert their ideas into extraordinary successes. He stated, “In Dubai, opportunities are available to everyone, and the environment empowers Arab youth to develop their abilities, turning their visions into tangible achievements.”
The Philosophy of Dubai-it
Ziina’s recognition with the Dubai-it Award exemplifies the philosophy of efficient and high-quality execution embodied in Dubai’s work ethic, aimed at transforming aspirations into concrete achievements swiftly. Sheikh Hamdan underscored the importance of this award in motivating more youth to take initiative and constructively engage, asserting that every successful company launched from Dubai creates new opportunities and confirms that the ambitions of Arab youth can materialise as globally competitive accomplishments.
A Continued Commitment to Excellence
The Dubai-it initiative was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to encapsulate Dubai’s work philosophy, which revolves around achievement, diligent work, and the relentless pursuit of turning ambitions into notable accomplishments in record time. This initiative aims to foster a culture of achievement within institutions and enterprises, transforming Dubai’s operational philosophy into a sustainable institutional approach based on speed, precision, and impactful outcomes.
Sheikh Hamdan’s closing remarks echoed his congratulations to the Ziina team for their outstanding contributions, stating, “The payments processed through Ziina have exceeded $1.5 billion in record time, serving 500,000 users and supporting 290,000 business owners. This is the essence of the Dubai-it philosophy; to seize opportunities, aspire high, and achieve outcomes with lasting impact.”