Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Space42, in partnership with Core42 and Microsoft, has launched the UAE’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud to power secure, compliant autonomous mobility solutions. Built on Microsoft Azure, the platform supports HD mapping, fleet management, and digital twins, aligning with UAE regulations and positioning the country as a leader in intelligent transport.
HNB PLC, in partnership with Visa, has launched HNB Accept, a first-of-its-kind feature in Sri Lanka that turns smartphones into secure payment terminals. Designed for MSMEs and entrepreneurs, the solution enables Tap-to-Phone and Pay-by-Link transactions, supporting the country’s drive toward financial inclusion and digital commerce growth.
Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce spending via mada cards surged 79% in July to $7.96B, with online transactions up 65%. Driven by a youthful population, near-universal connectivity, and policy reforms, the Kingdom’s cashless economy is accelerating under Vision 2030, supported by tokenized wallets, Google Pay’s launch, and frictionless digital checkouts.
MWC25 Doha, the first MWC in the MENA region, will take place on November 25–26, bringing over 200 speakers, 150 exhibitors, and delegates from 60+ countries. With themes spanning AI, 5G, fintech, and smart cities, the event supports Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and Vision 2030 goals.
Qatar will host MWC25 Doha, a major GSMA event connecting MENA with the global tech ecosystem. With AI, 5G, IoT, fintech, and smart city themes, the event will attract 100+ countries, debut the Digital Leaders Program in MENA, and reinforce Qatar’s role in digital transformation under Vision 2030.
Google has launched its AI Plus plan in Pakistan at Rs1,400 per month, offering Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo 3 Fast, image generation, Workspace integration, and 200 GB storage with family sharing. The move supports Pakistan’s digital transformation, with discounted rates for new subscribers for the first six months.
Zong and ZTE have commercially launched the world’s first 480W high-power FDD Massive MIMO solution in Pakistan, boosting network capacity by 140%+ and user experience by 270%+. The dual-mode system supports 3G and 4G bands while preparing for next-generation evolution and AI-driven large-scale deployment.
CMPak and Huawei have launched the Card-UEN Simplified Private Network Solution in Pakistan, cutting deployment costs and space while enabling 4G/5G convergence and intelligent connectivity. The solution supports Digital Pakistan 2030 and positions Pakistan as a regional leader in industrial digital transformation.
Omantel has partnered with Publicis Groupe Middle East to launch Oman’s first AI-powered AdTech ecosystem. The platform offers real-time audience targeting, campaign measurement, and omnichannel integration, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 to drive economic diversification, data-driven innovation, and regional expansion opportunities.
Cassava Technologies has partnered with Accenture to roll out sovereign AI cloud solutions across Africa, starting in South Africa before expanding to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. Powered by Nvidia GPUs and Accenture’s AI Refinery, the initiative supports data governance, regulatory compliance, and industry-specific AI adoption across the continent.