New look, features in botim’s fintech-first transformation

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Updated 23 July 2025
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New look, features in botim’s fintech-first transformation

botim, Astra Tech’s flagship fintech-first platform in the MENA region, has launched a refreshed brand identity and an upgraded user interface. This update marks the next chapter in the Abu Dhabi-headquartered app’s evolution, serving a growing global user base of more than 150 million with an improved experience.
Built on a strong VoIP foundation that established seamless communication, botim has evolved into a fintech-first, AI-native platform by integrating advanced financial features designed to meet the changing needs of its users. From January to May 2025, Botim saw a 50 percent increase in monthly active wallet users, a strong indicator of its growing relevance in the digital finance space. The redesigned interface is faster, more intuitive, and purposefully structured to simplify how users interact with its core functions including payments, transfers, lending, and calling.
“botim has always been a trusted platform for meaningful connection but is much more. With this update, we’re reinforcing our position as a fintech-first platform, built on a foundation of secure VoIP, and designed with simplicity at its core,” said Dr. Tariq bin Hendi, board member at Astra Tech and CEO of botim. “We’ve streamlined the experience to meet the needs of a growing user base that expects more not just from communication, but from the way they interact and manage their financial services as well.”
As the UAE continues to experience significant population growth, reaching an all-time high of 11.22 million in 2025 according to Worldometer, botim stands as a trusted platform for this expanding community combining seamless communication and financial tools into one unified experience. botim’s evolution from a local service to a globally scalable solution reflects market demand, with its embedded financial services such as peer-to-peer transfers and lending designed to meet users’ everyday financial needs, no matter where they are.
botim’s AI-native foundation enhances accessibility through intelligent features such as real-time translation, smart call filters, and an interactive in-app chatbot, serving a diverse, multilingual audience.
These advancements have driven the platform’s latest interface update. Designed around real user behavior, the new UI makes it easier to perform everyday actions from payments and transfers to lending and calling. Services are now clearly segmented, navigation is more intuitive, and the overall experience is simplified to meet the demands of an increasingly digital, mobile-first audience.
The app adapts to user profiles, from first-time users to VIPs, surfacing the most relevant services. Financial tools are now directly accessible within chat with a single click, while improved call quality and AI-powered chatbot assistance further enhance the user experience.

The result is greater responsiveness, reduced clutter, and increased clarity all tailored to the needs of a growing, digitally active population. 


LuLu opens two new stores in Riyadh and Dammam

Updated 10 March 2026
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LuLu opens two new stores in Riyadh and Dammam

LuLu Retail has further expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia with the unveiling of two state-of-the-art shopping destinations in Riyadh and Dammam. These new stores are designed to bring a modern shopping experience closer to residential neighborhoods, offering everything from daily groceries to household essentials under one roof.
The expansion includes a massive flagship hypermarket and a convenient express store, each tailored to meet the needs of the local community with high standards of service and variety.
Recently, Yusuffali M. A., chairman of LuLu Group, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to continuous growth while ensuring an uninterrupted supply of products and maintaining stable prices for customers.
The largest of the new openings is located in the Suwaidi district of Riyadh. This massive flagship hypermarket covers more than 400,000 square feet and is built to be a one-stop shop for the capital’s residents.
The store was officially inaugurated by Mohammed Khalid Al-Shalfan, investors relationship manager at the Ministry of Investment, and Matar Salem Ali Marran Al-Dhaheri, ambassador of the UAE to Saudi Arabia.
This new retail landmark features an extensive range of departments, including grocery food and non-food items, beauty and wellness, chilled and dairy products, frozen foods, and a roastery. Shoppers can also find fresh fruits, vegetables, a bakery, and a delicatessen, as well as fresh meat and fish sections. A unique feature is the fresh food dining area. For tech enthusiasts, there are dedicated sections for computers, gaming, telecom, mobile phones, and consumer electronics. The store also carries stationery, household goods, home furnishings, toys, luggage, and footwear, all supported by more than 100 parking spaces.
Meanwhile in Dammam, LuLu inaugurated a new LuLu Xpress store and the LOT, a value shopping destination, in the Faisaliya district. The store was officially inaugurated by Mansour Al-Binali, assistant director general of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for the Eastern Province.
Covering 33,000 square feet, the store includes a wide range of products with fresh food, local produce, and meat, along with a section for technical consumer goods featuring the latest electronics and gadgets. 
The LOT Value Shop focuses on high-quality items at affordable prices. Residents can shop for household goods, home furnishings, stationery, toys, and educational products, most of which are priced below SR22 ($5.86).
For added convenience, the location provides nearly 100 parking spaces.
LuLu has launched special inaugural offers across all departments in both the Riyadh and Dammam stores. These promotions allow customers to enjoy significant savings on a wide range of products and international brands. This expansion reinforces LuLu’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s retail growth and providing quality service to neighborhoods across Saudi Arabia.