MENA AI funding hits record $858M

AI startups in the Middle East and North Africa raised a record $858 million in 2025, accounting for 22% of total venture capital investment in the region last year.

Samuel Wendel
Samuel Wendel
Feb 10, 2026
Detailed image of Middle Eastern developer in front of desktop pc monitoring a complex network, ensuring data security and efficient computing using cloud, AI and machine learning. — Getty Images

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Homegrown artificial intelligence startups, which were a rarity in the Middle East until recently, are having a moment after attracting record funding in 2025. We unpack that and more this week, including Uber’s big bet on Turkey and the fallout from Bitcoin’s plunge.

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Sam (@sam_wendel)

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