du launches AI platform for SMEs with Peko to handle tax and payroll

du has launched du Launchpad, an AI-powered platform aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, bundling accounting, payroll and corporate tax filing into one product. The UAE telecom operator built the platform with Peko, a software company, and runs it under its business portfolio.

Launchpad combines administrative and financial tools in a single environment. Its core features cover accounting, human resources management, corporate tax filing and professional invoicing, and it connects to WhatsApp Business. The company says the design cuts manual work and helps businesses keep up with government requirements.

Bundled pricing and compliance support

A premium bundle gives subscribers access to the five most requested services on the platform. du positions the bundle around cost optimisation: fewer separate subscriptions, one bill, and less time spent reconciling them. The company also says the package lowers operating costs and reduces financial risk by attaching dedicated compliance support to the subscription.

Beyond the accounting tools, Launchpad carries features for government filings and PRO services, and uses AI-driven automation to push administrative and compliance workflows along with less manual handling.

Why the paperwork matters

Small firms in the UAE carry a regulatory load that grows with each new filing requirement, and workforce administration adds another layer on top. The pressure is not confined to one sector. Retail, professional services, healthcare and logistics all run into it, and most of these businesses have no dedicated compliance team to absorb the work.

Launchpad's answer is consolidation — one place for administrative, compliance and operational tasks that would otherwise sit with a bookkeeper, an HR generalist and an outside agent, each working from separate records.

Telecom operators have been pushing past connectivity into software their business customers can use day to day. Selling accounting and tax tools to the same companies that already buy mobile lines and broadband is a short step, and it turns a one-off connectivity sale into a recurring services line. For the smallest firms, the appeal is less about the technology than about not having to assemble four or five vendors to stay current with filings.

What the executives say

Karim Benkirane, chief commercial officer at du, said the platform centralises essential services and automates key workflows, which lets owners put more of their attention on the core business instead of operational detail.

Kashif Khan, founder and chief executive of Peko, said pairing smart compliance with automation helps businesses stay agile and resilient in a competitive market.

Availability

Existing business customers can reach du Launchpad through the MyAccount portal.