Bangladesh’s mobile financial services (MFS) reached a record-breaking Tk 1.64 trillion in transactions in December 2024. The country’s total mobile banking transactions for 2024 were Tk 17.37 trillion, marking a 28.42% increase compared to 2023. MFS accounts also grew significantly, reaching 238.6 million by December 2024.
Jordan ranked 49th globally in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, improving from its 2023 position of 55th. The country outperformed Bahrain, Egypt, and Kuwait, reflecting its efforts in enhancing AI integration, including the AI-powered electricity load forecasting project aimed at boosting energy efficiency and accelerating renewable energy adoption.
Lola, a Bahrain-based foodtech startup, raised US$1.3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Vision Ventures and Plus VC. The investment will support Lola’s expansion in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region, enhancing its customizable cake-ordering service and enabling future product category growth in the personalized gifting market.
Huawei has signed a cooperation agreement with Telecom Egypt to enhance ICT infrastructure in preparation for 5G services in Egypt. The partnership introduces advanced outdoor and indoor solutions, supporting Telecom Egypt’s goal of becoming a leading ICT operator and fostering digital transformation with the latest 4G/5G technologies.
LG Uplus has partnered with Zain Group to expand its AI service, ‘ixi-O,’ into the Middle East. The collaboration aims to enhance telecommunications in Saudi Arabia and other regions by integrating AI features like voice phishing detection, caller identification, and call recording, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Algerian start-up Nrecycli won the “Youth Social Entrepreneurs Award” in Doha, Qatar, for its innovative plastic waste management project. Since 2019, Nrecycli has been collecting recycled plastic in Algiers and Blida, collaborating with local stakeholders to promote sustainability and enhance recycling rates in Algeria.
Starlink has begun discussions with Moroccan authorities to deploy its satellites over the Sahara. Negotiations, which began in the summer of 2024, were further advanced during the Qatar-Africa Business Forum in November 2024. The deployment depends on approval from Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT).
The PMA and Jawwal have signed an agreement to enhance telecommunications solutions supporting Palestine’s banking sector. The initiative includes high-speed fiber-optic networks and internet services to improve connectivity and secure communication channels, contributing to the sector’s digital advancement and economic stability in Palestine.
stc has deployed Juniper 400G routers in its core network and data centres to enhance its 5G network capacity across 75 cities in Saudi Arabia. The upgrade increases bandwidth, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies operations, supporting stc’s goal of expanding 5G services while lowering operational costs and carbon footprint.
Mavenir and e& UAE have partnered to deploy a cloud-native 5G core network, leveraging advanced AI technologies, automation, and orchestration to enable future-proof connectivity. This collaboration supports use cases like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and immersive AR/VR, while also preparing e& UAE for future 6G advancements.
