Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its AI transformation with $14.9 billion in new investments, global partnerships, and talent development programs. With initiatives like Humain and collaborations with Microsoft, NVIDIA, and AWS, the Kingdom is becoming a global hub for AI innovation under Vision 2030.
Saudi-based Oumla has raised $2.4 million in seed funding, led by Core Vision with backing from Avalanche and angel investors. The fintech startup provides digital asset custody, blockchain connectivity, and tokenisation solutions, with plans to expand partnerships across regulators, banks, and government entities in the Kingdom and region.
Google Pay has launched in Saudi Arabia through SAMA’s mada payment system, allowing users to manage mada and credit cards via Google Wallet. The move supports Vision 2030 goals of reducing cash use and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global fintech leader.
Saudi Arabia’s SAMA and Ant International will roll out Alipay+ in 2026, enabling cross-border QR payments via the mada system. The initiative supports Vision 2030 goals of boosting digital payments, empowering SMEs, and enhancing the Kingdom’s status as a global tourism and innovation hub.
Qatar Foundation’s WISE has launched a new Edtech Accelerator cohort, selecting eight startups from over 300 applicants. The ventures span regions from MENA to Africa and Latin America, offering bold solutions in tutoring, coding, AI-driven learning, and digital credentials, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to education innovation and global impact.
Qatar’s CRA has updated in-building telecom standards to enhance internet speeds, mobile coverage, and digital-ready infrastructure. The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and positions the country as a leader in smart, future-proof connectivity across residential, business, and public developments.
Oman’s telecom sector grew 15.5% year-on-year, with IoT subscriptions more than doubling to 1.56 million and mobile broadband reaching 5.59 million. Fiber and 5G continued to expand, while DSL and fixed 4G collapsed, signaling a clear market shift toward next-generation connectivity.
BEAMTEL has launched CyberPlatform, Morocco’s first Arabic-language cybersecurity platform, to raise awareness among citizens, SMEs, schools, and public institutions. Designed to align with national laws and strategies, it simplifies digital protection measures, addresses rising cyber threats, and reinforces Morocco’s digital sovereignty.
CASHPLUS and PayPal have launched a first-of-its-kind feature in Morocco, allowing users to instantly withdraw PayPal balances in MAD via the CASHPLUS Mobile app. The move empowers digital workers, aligns with Morocco’s financial inclusion goals, and strengthens the nation’s growing digital payments ecosystem.
Jobzyn, a Moroccan AI hiring startup, has raised pre-seed funding led by Janngo Capital to accelerate product development and expand across Africa and MENA. Already used by major firms, the platform helps employers screen candidates efficiently while improving job market transparency for graduates and job seekers.