Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Basata Holding will invest $7 million in 2026 while preparing new investment services and regional expansion into Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Kurdistan. The company, already serving over 120,000 merchants, aims to reach 150,000 this year and strengthen its leadership in Egypt’s fast-growing digital payments sector.
Intella has raised $12.5 million in an oversubscribed Series A led by Prosus, boosting its total funding to $16.9 million. The Arabic AI leader will use the capital for R&D, expansion in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and scaling its AI-powered workforce across multiple sectors.
Vodafone Egypt appointed Ayman El-Saadany as Chief External Affairs Officer and Rasha Hamdy as Chief Legal Officer, effective October 1. Both join the Executive Committee, reinforcing leadership continuity and strengthening governance, external engagement, and digital transformation efforts in line with Vodafone’s long-term strategy.
Bahrain’s Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa attended the graduation of the second batch of the Technical Workforce Development Program, highlighting its role in preparing Bahraini ICT talent. He praised leadership support, urged national engagement in technology, and reaffirmed the initiative’s importance in advancing digital transformation.
Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, joined SMIC 2025 in Jeddah, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to sustainable maritime transport. He emphasized innovation, digitisation, green shipping corridors, and regional cooperation as key to enhancing efficiency, security, and environmental responsibility in the global maritime sector.
Zain Bahrain will host the Bahrain National Qualifiers for the FIFAe World Cup on September 5–6, 2025, at Zain Esports Lab. Featuring mobile and console competitions, the event highlights Zain’s esports leadership and provides Bahraini gamers aged 16+ with a chance to compete on the global stage.
Ethio telecom and STC are exploring a strategic partnership to drive digital growth. Discussions centered on infrastructure, wholesale cooperation, and linking telebirr with STC Pay to boost cross-border payments, with both companies aiming to foster innovation and digital inclusion in Ethiopia and beyond.
Grameenphone and Robi Axiata have commercially launched Bangladesh’s first 5G services, covering all divisional headquarters. The rollout is hailed as a transformative milestone, promising faster connectivity, innovation, and economic growth, while positioning Bangladesh for a more advanced digital future.
Algeria has launched “Himayati,” its first national platform for women victims of violence. The service connects women with security, legal, and health support, advancing family protection and women’s rights while promoting empowerment and social stability.
Ooredoo Algeria has become the first operator in the country to receive the THI9A electronic trust certification, a key milestone in digital transformation. The certification ensures secure and transparent e-transactions, aligning with Algeria’s vision for a modern digital economy and reinforcing Ooredoo’s leadership role.