Astra Tech And 7X Partner To Advance Digital Financial Services And Integrated Trade And Logistics Solutions

(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) * 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.

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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.

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