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 announced the launch of its first AI Centre of Excellence, a partnership between Lakeba Group, UOWD, DoxAI, and AqlanX. Backed by NextGen FDI, the Centre will focus on sovereign AI R&D, Arabic LLMs, talent incubation, and IP commercialization, positioning the UAE as a global leader in AI innovation.
Abu Dhabi has banned cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land, imposing a Dh100,000 fine on violators, with penalties doubling for repeat offenses. Authorities will cut power, seize equipment, and suspend support services for non-compliant farms. The move, a 900% fine increase from 2024, aims to safeguard food security and sustainability.
Sri Lanka is accelerating its digital economy strategy with a five-year plan blending global best practices from India, Singapore, Estonia, and others. At the Fintech Summit 2025, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya highlighted AI, seamless citizen services, and a national digital identity system as pillars of the transformation.
Qatar National Bank has received Saudi approval to launch Ezbank, a fully digital lender with SAR2.5 billion in capital, in partnership with Ajlan & Bros Holding. The move expands QNB’s regional footprint while supporting Saudi Arabia’s fintech growth, bringing the number of licensed banks in the Kingdom to 39.
Cambridge Mobile Telematics has expanded its AI-powered DriveWell Fusion® platform in Saudi Arabia using AWS Outposts and Direct Connect to meet local data residency and performance standards. Partnering with Najm for Insurance Services, the initiative supports Vision 2030 by improving road safety, reducing crashes, and setting a benchmark for secure hybrid cloud mobility solutions.
Yango Pakistan partnered with police in Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad to distribute helmets and hold safety awareness sessions for drivers and couriers. The initiative, praised by police and business leaders, combines road safety advocacy with economic empowerment, reinforcing Yango’s commitment to safer roads and community engagement.
Oman’s Legal Conference on Digital Health called for stronger legal frameworks, AI-specific regulations, and enhanced data protection. Experts highlighted AI’s transformative role in healthcare, but warned of infrastructure and expertise gaps. Recommendations included setting up a national governance body, boosting regional cooperation, and advancing automation in health processes.
Oman’s FSA has ordered Omantel to restate its 2024 financial statements within two months after identifying non-compliance with IFRS standards IAS 29 and IAS 21. The move, issued under the Capital Market Law, aims to strengthen transparency, investor protection, and confidence in Oman’s capital market.
Morocco has partnered with tech startup z.systems to digitize tens of thousands of neighborhood shops. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will connect local retailers with brands and distributors through a digital platform, boosting efficiency, competitiveness, and inclusion in the national digital economy.
Morocco’s telecom regulator has mandated fiber optic infrastructure sharing to boost competition, lower costs, and expand broadband coverage. The reform targets growth from 1.5M households in 2022 to 5.6M by 2030, aligning with Morocco’s Digital 2030 vision and paving the way for enhanced internet quality and 5G readiness.