Astra Tech, a UAE-grown technology powerhouse, announces its strategic engagement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) during the Annual Meeting 2024 in Dubai, UAE. This partnership marks a defining moment for Astra Tech as it steps onto the global stage, showcasing the UAE’s leadership in digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. Through this collaboration, Astra Tech aligns itself with WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), propelling its mission to drive responsible and ethical technological development worldwide.
The signing ceremony took place during the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils, with Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, and Alexandre Raffoul, Member of the Executive Committee at WEF, in attendance. This collaboration also follows WEF’s announcement of a custom-built Strategic Intelligence platform to support the implementation of “We the UAE Vision 2031”, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to using AI and advanced technologies for long-term, strategic policymaking.
As a homegrown company, Astra Tech embodies the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in AI and fintech. With its disruptive Ultra Platform, Astra Tech is revolutionizing digital ecosystems by integrating fintech, AI-powered solutions, and conversational commerce into one seamless experience for over 155 million users globally. Its flagship app, Botim, is central to this initiative, simplifying communications, payments, and e-commerce for millions, a vision aligned with WEF’s focus on transforming global governance of emerging technologies.
“We are proud to join the World Economic Forum in shaping the future of AI and digital finance,” said Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim. “Our Ultra Platform is not just technology—it’s an enabler of global financial inclusion, ethical AI, and digital equity. Through this partnership, we are poised to extend the UAE’s vision of a fully digitized future to a global audience, demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Alexandre Raffoul, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, added: “The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.”
By joining WEF’s C4IR, Astra Tech strengthens its position as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, bringing together key players across sectors to foster global collaboration. This engagement will allow Astra Tech to contribute to global discussions around building robust digital infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion, and developing AI governance frameworks that reflect the UAE’s leadership in the region.
