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- Ethical Tech & SuperApp Wars; Dubai Loop Details; Gulf States, 'Build your own Airbus'
Ethical Tech & SuperApp Wars; Dubai Loop Details; Gulf States, 'Build your own Airbus'
Wednesday, February 3, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Web Summit Qatar Day 2 was interesting on many accounts. We caught up with Tech for Palestine founder and the new face of Qatar’s local superapp-ambitioned Snoonu (recently acquired by Saudi giant Jahez). Scroll down for what they told Smashi Business exclusively.
In other news, the World Governments Summit 2026 kicked off in Dubai and the our two main stories are from there: Musk’s Boring Company and Dubai RTA provided details of Dubai Loop, while IMF chief wants Gulf to unite and “get your own Airbus.”
Markets
EGX 30 | 48,978.48 | 2.88% |
DFMGI | 6,613.52 | 0.611% |
ADX | 10,472.57 | 1.302% |
Tadawul | 11,328.52 | 0.07% |
Web Summit Qatar 2026 Day 2
Tech for Palestine founder Paul Biggar: Ethical Tech Is Next Big Startup Wave
At Web Summit Qatar 2026, Tech for Palestine founder Paul Biggar told Smashi Business that the organisation has more than doubled its portfolio in a year, expanding from 30 to 80 startup projects, with several already gaining traction. He outlined T4P’s mission to scale pro-Palestinian advocacy through technology, including tools that help investors divest from funds linked to companies they oppose. Biggar highlighted growing demand for ethical alternatives to mainstream platforms, from social networks to AI products positioned as more transparent and values-driven. He argued that consumer choice is increasingly shaped by values, not just performance, driving a new wave of purpose-led startups.
The Arab Super-App Wars: How Snoonu Plans to Outrun Global Giants
At Web Summit 2026, Snoonu’s General Manager of New Ventures, Haitham Al-Haidari, told Smashi Business that the Qatari platform is no longer positioning itself as a food-delivery company but as a full-scale super-app built to dominate everyday services across the Arab world and West Africa. Now part of Jahez, Snoonu is rapidly launching new verticals—from laundry and parcel delivery to portable power-bank rentals and travel eSIMs—adding as many as ten services this year alone. Al-Haidari said the company’s edge in crowded GCC markets lies in its local DNA and relentless customer obsession, aiming for a future where the default answer to any inconvenience is simply: “Open Snoonu.”
Web Summit Qatar is hosting 1,600 startups and more than 30,000 attendees in 2026. The summit runs from February 1 to 4, 2026, reinforcing Qatar’s ambition to position itself as a regional technology hub.
Dubai Loop Tunnel Construction To Begin Soon With 13,000 Daily Passenger Capacity
What Is It About?
Dubai is set to begin construction of the first phase of the Dubai Loop, an underground transport system developed with Elon Musk’s Boring Company. Backed by an initial Dh565 million investment, the 6.4-kilometre pilot route will feature four stations linking DIFC, Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, using dedicated vehicle tunnels to move passengers swiftly beneath the city.
Why It Matters?
Officials say the project offers a faster and cheaper alternative to traditional metro tunnels while easing congestion and improving first- and last-mile connectivity. Designed to integrate with Dubai’s wider mobility network, the Loop is expected to carry about 13,000 passengers daily in its pilot phase, rising to 30,000 when fully completed, reinforcing the emirate’s push toward smart and sustainable transport.
What’s Next?
Construction of the initial segment is expected to finish within two years, after which expansion will accelerate. The full project is planned to stretch more than 22 kilometres with 19 stations connecting Dubai World Trade Centre, Business Bay and major commercial districts. Estimated to cost around Dh2 billion, the complete network could be delivered within three years once full-scale development begins.
“Get Your Airbus”: IMF Chief Urges Gulf Unity To Compete In Global Economy
What Is It About?
“Get your Airbus,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Gulf leaders at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, urging deeper regional cooperation to compete globally. She argued that economic integration and unity of purpose are essential in today’s fragmented world, pointing to Europe’s joint creation of Airbus as proof that cross-border collaboration can build world-class industrial champions.
Why It Matters?
Georgieva highlighted Airbus’s rise as a rival to Boeing and its strong 2025 profits as evidence of the power of shared strategy. She said the Gulf Cooperation Council already shows trading strength through bloc-wide free-trade deals, while its growing role in artificial intelligence infrastructure — with over $40bn committed since 2023 — positions the region as a future global technology hub.
What’s Next?
Trade talks between the GCC and partners including the UK, EU, India and Turkey are continuing, while a deal with India is nearing completion. Georgieva also floated the idea of a joint Gulf artificial-intelligence project, saying the region should aim to be a core pillar of global AI deployment through 2030 rather than a peripheral market.
🦄 World of Startups
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
KHC, OIA, QIA and MGX-backed SpaceX and xAI merge.
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
Why did Ronaldo sit out in protest in Saudi league? Reason may be financial
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala joins global investors in $16bn Waymo funding round
Adnoc’s XRG expands in Caspian with Azerbaijan gas deal
Abu Dhabi’s G42 to build ‘agent factory’ to manage self-running AI systems
UAE developer Arada revives Riyadh plans as land prices drop
Aldar and Mubadala complete joint venture to create $2.72bn retail platform
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
3-5 February: The World Governments Summit, Dubai.
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
2-4 February: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.
2-4 February: Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
5-7 February: RiseUp Summit, Cairo. (Media Partners)
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
Qatar
1-4 February: Web Summit Qatar, Doha. (Media Partners)
2-5 February: 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026)
