Nabilah S.
TechInAfrica – The UAE’s Ultra app, BOTIM, that Astra Tech has recently acquired, and Fawry, Egypt’s leading digital payments platform, have signed a groundbreaking agreement to provide residents in the UAE and GCC countries with a seamless and convenient way to pay bills & invoices in Egypt through BOTIM app and enable international money transfer services.
This first-of-its-kind agreement will allow users in the UAE to transfer money and pay bills in a new and convenient way. Astra Tech is introducing a new service to the BOTIM app called Bill Payments, which aims to make everyday payments easier for users.
Under this agreement, Fawry will provide all Egyptians residing in the UAE who use the BOTIM application with solutions to pay utility bills and subscriptions and carry out financial transactions in Egypt. Customers can also withdraw financial money from the UAE through the BOTIM, powered by Payby, application through Fawry’s payment and collection channels. This agreement is a game-changer, providing users in the UAE with a new and innovative way to manage their everyday payments.
By utilizing this new service, users in the UAE and GCC can pay a wide range of bills and invoices in Egypt, such as utility bills, school, and university fees, driving and car licenses, club memberships, and medical and social insurance, through the BOTIM app. Adding to sending money services, Fawry will support the local beneficiaries of money remittance in Egypt to disburse the money through Fawry Channels.
Mr. Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Co-Founder and CEO of Astra Tech, BOTIM’s parent company, said: “We are excited to work with Fawry to bring a seamless and hassle-free bill payment experience to our users in Egypt. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our expansion strategy, particularly in the promising Egyptian market, and our commitment to driving digital transformation and financial inclusion in the region.”
Eng. Atef Magdy, CCO, Financial Services, Digital Solutions & International Business, added: “The partnership between Fawry and Astra Tech is a concrete manifestation of Fawry’s strategy to attract new segments from various sectors and offer them the benefits of its digital services and solutions. It also reflects Fawry’s unwavering commitment to expanding its financial business and services and reaching the broadest possible audience to provide cutting-edge payment technologies that are both easy and secure. This further strengthens Fawry’s position as a leading platform in the digital payment market and solidifies its position as the preferred choice for Egyptian citizens”.
About BOTIM:
Astra Tech, a UAE-based technology development group, is dedicated to transform the accessibility of everyday services for its users through its Ultra app. Astra Tech, started this transformation through the acquisition of the CBUAE licensed fintech company PayBy, and the renowned VoIP app BOTIM, both in 2022. BOTIM will be the Ultra app’s foundation, providing its users with seamless integration of day-to-day services. BOTIM currently operates in 155 countries, offering a wide range of services, including free chat, voice and video calls, money transfers, pharmaceuticals, recharges, bill payments, gaming, health features, and Quran recitation. All of BOTIM’s fintech payment solutions are powered by PayBy.
About Fawry:
Founded in 2008, Fawry is the largest e-payment platform in Egypt serving the banked and unbanked population. Fawry’s primary services include enabling electronic bill payments, mobile top-ups and provisions for millions of Egyptian users. Other digital services also include e-ticketing, cable TV, and variety of other services. Through its peer-to-peer model, Fawry is enabling corporates and SMEs to accept electronic payments through a number of platforms including websites, mobile phones, and POS terminals. With a network of 36-member banks, its mobile platform and more than 280,000 agents, Fawry processes an average of 4 million transactions per day, serving an estimated customer base of more than 39 million users monthly. Learn more at www.fawry.com.
