Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The UAE has the world’s fastest broadband at 399 Mbps, followed by Qatar (344 Mbps) and Kuwait (240 Mbps). Investments in 5G, fiber optics, and smart city projects are driving digital transformation, supporting sectors like education, healthcare, and fintech, and positioning these nations as global leaders in connectivity.
Vodafone Qatar has launched the ZTE U60 Pro Wi-Fi 7 5G hotspot, the region’s first device of its kind. With Wi-Fi 7, 5G-A speeds, a Snapdragon X75 chip, and a 10,000mAh battery offering 29 hours of use, the device connects 64 devices and is priced at QAR 999.
Women in Tech Sri Lanka has announced a new leadership team and renewed its partnership with Mark & Comm Ltd. for two years. The collaboration will focus on advocacy, mentorship, and communications to empower more women in STEAM, align with global initiatives, and amplify women’s voices in Sri Lanka.
Kaspersky has warned Sri Lanka of rising cyber threats tied to mobile banking and shopping, citing a 3.6x increase in banking Trojans in 2024. It urges regulators, corporations, and consumers to adopt stronger security measures, including national guidelines, collaboration, and greater user vigilance.
UNESCO and Data Vault hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue in Islamabad to discuss ethical and inclusive AI in Pakistan. The event highlighted the National AI Policy pillars, institutional readiness, skills development, and global best practices, aiming to embed human rights, equity, and sustainability into Pakistan’s AI future.
Pakistan produced 17.83m mobile phones in Jan–Jul 2025, with smartphones at 48% of devices on networks, down from 59% in 2023. Imports remain low due to restrictions, while 2G usage has increased to 52%, highlighting affordability pressures in the local mobile market.
Oman will host COMEX 2025 from 8–11 September, featuring AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and cloud innovations. The exhibition will include pavilions, summits, hackathons, and awards, attracting global and regional players while strengthening Oman’s vision of becoming a hub for digital transformation.
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has ordered service providers to block 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X. Nepal Telecom and Ncell confirmed compliance with the directive, marking one of the country’s broadest internet restrictions to date.
Pakistan has cleared 606 MHz of spectrum for its 5G auction, including 700, 2300, and 3500 MHz bands. Litigation over 161.6 MHz, especially in the 2600 MHz band, and pending issues like the PTCL–Telenor merger remain hurdles. Authorities aim for quick resolutions to fast-track 5G rollout.
DP World will launch Atlas, a maritime service linking Morocco with the UK and Northern Europe, in November 2025. The service will cut export times by two days, shift 150,000 tonnes of produce from road to sea, reduce CO₂ emissions by 70%, and ensure fresher deliveries for European markets.