Comera’s Harish Parameswaran on how next-gen platforms are redefining customer experience

In an era where convenience, security, and cost-effectiveness define user expectations, digital platforms must evolve beyond simple communication or financial transactions. The UAE, a global leader in digital adoption, is witnessing a shift toward super apps and intelligent ecosystems that integrate messaging, payments, and digital commerce within a single, seamless experience.

Comera, launched by Comera Financial Holdings under Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group, is at the forefront of this transformation, bridging secure digital communication with advanced fintech solutions.

In this interview, Harish Parameswaran, VP of Comera Financial Holding, shares insights on how Comera is shaping the future of digital connectivity, its vision for the next three years, and why localisation remains key to meeting the region’s unique needs.

In a digital-first economy, what do users demand from next-gen platforms in terms of convenience, security, and cost-effectiveness?

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, users expect platforms to provide a frictionless, secure, and affordable experience.

Key demands include:

• Users want a single app that can handle multiple needs, from messaging to payments to e-commerce.
• Seamless navigation, voice-assisted commands, and AI-driven personalisation are now a must-have feature
• End-to-end encryption: With rising cybersecurity threats, users prioritise platforms that offer robust encryption and data protection.
• Data sovereignty is a key concern, and platforms must align with regional data protection laws
• Low transaction fees: Whether for payments, remittances, or digital services, affordability remains a priority.
• Offering basic services for free while providing premium features at a competitive cost.

With the recent launch of your platform, why did Comera Financial Holdings of Royal Group diversify into this business?

Comera Financial Holdings, a subsidiary of Royal Group, Abu Dhabi, diversified into the digital communication and financial technology space as it seamlessly aligns with our broader strategy of investing in high-growth, high-impact sectors that drive digital transformation. As the world becomes increasingly connected, the demand for secure, seamless, and localised communication platforms has never been greater.

Comera was launched to address a growing demand for secure, adaptive, regionally relevant, and end-to-end encrypted digital communication solutions. While the Middle East, particularly the UAE, leads in digital adoption, a gap remains for localised solutions that cater specifically to user preferences, cultural nuances, and compliance requirements.

Positioned as a next-generation super app or a life transactions app, it bridges the gap between secure digital communication and comprehensive financial services. With a strong focus on localisation, compliance, and user-centric innovation and security, it aims to redefine digital connectivity in the region.

Beyond communication, Comera Financial Holdings envisions the platform as part of a broader ecosystem, integrating fintech solutions such as seamless payments, remittances, and digital commerce for both consumers and businesses alike. The goal is to create a holistic super app experience, through a single, integrated platform that enables seamless digital interactions while ensuring security, compliance, and ease of use.

Describe the emerging need and evolution of digital platforms in the UAE, from super apps to intelligent ecosystems. How are Comera and other players rethinking digital connectivity to offer real value beyond aggregation?

The UAE is at the forefront of digital innovation, with a strong push toward super apps and intelligent ecosystems that integrate multiple services within a single platform. Consumers today expect seamless, on-demand, and secure digital experiences that go beyond just messaging or payments.

We are actively contributing to the evolution by combining messaging, payments, and unimagined digital services into a single platform for enhanced user convenience. We are leveraging AI to provide personalised recommendations, fraud detection, and predictive analytics for financial transactions, and are enabling partnerships with e-commerce, entertainment, fintech, and government services to offer a truly interconnected digital experience.

Comera is engaged in exploring newer opportunities in digital connectivity. Instead of only providing aggregated services, Comera is focused on building an intelligent and seamless life app of digital offering to improve the overall experience for users, businesses, and the broader society. Unlike traditional models, we focus on value creation by ensuring every interaction—whether communication, payments, or transactions — is secure, seamless, and intuitive.

What are your key markets and what milestones would you like to achieve in the next three years?

Currently, Comera is focused on key markets across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and South Asia, regions – regions experiencing rapid digital transformation and growing demand for secure, regionally compliant communication and financial solutions.

Our three-year milestones include:

• Expanding our user base significantly across key regions while entering new high-potential markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa.
• Enhancing our platform with advanced AI-driven communication tools, integrated digital payment services, and enhanced security features.
• Strengthening our fintech ecosystem by expanding financial services such as peer-to-peer payments, merchant integrations, and cross-border transactions.

Comera aims to become the leading digital communication and fintech hub in the region, offering a seamless ecosystem that connects people seamlessly while enabling financial inclusion.

Tell us about the importance of offering localised and adaptive solutions tailored to the region’s needs.

Localisation is at the heart of our strategy. Unlike global competitors that offer generic, one-size-fits-all solutions, Comera is designed with the region’s unique preferences, regulations, and challenges in mind.

Our platform is designed to meet regional data protection and cybersecurity regulations, ensuring a secure and compliant communication environment. We have features such as privacy-first settings, localised payment options, and region-specific engagement tools that cater to the cultural and business landscape of the MENA region. Understanding the need for financial inclusivity, we are building payment and remittance features that allow users to manage daily transactions—whether paying bills, sending money to family, or conducting business transactions—all within a single platform.

By embedding and prioritising these local elements, Comera delivers a tailored, secure, and seamless experience that truly meets the needs and expectations of users in the region.

Describe Comera’s current offering to b2c customers – from remitting payments across utilities, families, e-commerce –  and how these capabilities will evolve to meet emerging consumer demands.

Comera is more than a communication platform — it is rapidly evolving into a comprehensive digital ecosystem that enhances daily digital interactions, including financial transactions for users.

Our current B2C offerings include:

• Secure, high-quality messaging and uninterrupted calling features for individuals and businesses.
• Enabling users to remit money to family, pay for utilities, and complete e-commerce transactions — all within our app.
• Providing users with a secure and convenient way to manage cross-border transactions, catering to expatriates who regularly send money home.

Looking ahead, shortly, Comera will expand fintech capabilities in AI-driven transaction insights to help users manage finances more efficiently, allow users to make seamless purchases directly through the app and introduce features such as buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options and micro-lending for underserved communities.

We aim to become a central hub for both — communication and financial empowerment, simplifying digital interactions for consumers.