Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sri Lanka Telecom Group reported Rs. 4.3 billion in profit for 1H 2025, rebounding from last year’s loss. SLT PLC and Mobitel both posted strong turnarounds, supported by cost management, governance reforms, and steady revenue growth. The performance signals renewed strength for the telecom giant’s role in Sri Lanka’s digital economy.
Desert Technologies and AlKhorayef Industries have partnered to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s smart infrastructure development. The collaboration will focus on joint projects, technology integration, and local manufacturing, supporting Vision 2030 goals of diversification, sustainability, and job creation while positioning the Kingdom as a hub for innovation.
Saudi Arabia is embedding AI, AR, VR, and IoT into mega-tourism projects like Neom and the Red Sea Project to deliver immersive, personalized, and sustainable visitor experiences. With 150m annual visitors targeted by 2030, smart tourism is emerging as a key Vision 2030 enabler, despite talent and infrastructure challenges.
Saudi Airlines is in advanced talks with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet to its 140-aircraft fleet. The move would give the carrier a competitive edge in the region, offering passengers fast, reliable in-flight connectivity and enhancing its position as a global leader in aviation services.
LINX has upgraded the center3 Internet Exchange Point in Riyadh, adding 400GE capabilities and expanding 100GE availability. The enhancements strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a digital hub, supporting Vision 2030 goals for AI, cloud, and smart cities, while attracting global tech investment through advanced interconnection infrastructure.
Grow Safe and Silicon Technologies have signed an MoU to integrate AI into HSE compliance across Pakistan’s industries. The partnership will deliver automation, real-time monitoring, and intelligent safety systems to create safer and more sustainable environments, redefining tech-enabled compliance models for the corporate and industrial sectors.
Pakistani women are rising in data science, with enrollment up 40% since 2018 and global success stories like Google’s Shafiqa Iqbal inspiring a new generation. Universities and companies are fostering inclusion, and women are now leading impactful AI projects across healthcare, banking, and logistics, reshaping Pakistan’s tech future.
Ooredoo has launched the Salalah Data Centre and submarine cable landing station, the first of its kind in southern Oman. Strategically located to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa, the facility will expand from 125 to 500 racks, enhancing global connectivity, cloud adoption, and AI innovation while driving Oman’s role as a regional digital hub.
Pakistan has set national targets to expand digital payments: 2 million digital merchants, 120m mobile banking users, and 15bn annual transactions by FY26. The plan also aims to route all remittances through wallets or banks. JazzCash and Easypaisa lead the market, while other telcos lag behind.
Oman has launched a digital platform for motorists to settle road damage costs after traffic accidents. The system enables online submission, review, and payment, streamlining claims and accelerating repairs to infrastructure like streetlights, traffic signals, and barriers. It improves transparency, accountability, and service efficiency in line with Oman’s digital vision.