Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have formalized cooperation to securely exchange personal data under aligned data protection frameworks, enhancing cybersecurity and enabling cross-border digital services. This agreement, alongside prior MOUs, supports regional interoperability and sets higher compliance standards for public and private sector entities.
A Red Sea coral restoration project uses AI to accelerate monitoring and resilience enhancement across 100 hectares. DigiLab and KAUST’s initiative includes an AI-powered digital twin and advanced sensor optimization, reducing monitoring times and enabling data-driven reef restoration at an unprecedented scale targeting two million corals by 2030.
AIQU’s Deploy-on-Demand model enables Saudi Arabian organizations to fill critical tech roles 50% faster and at 30-50% lower cost than traditional hiring. This solution addresses acute talent shortages under Vision 2030 by providing pre-verified professionals and comprehensive onboarding, supporting agile scaling for digital transformation projects.
Microsoft is closing its subsidiary in Pakistan, shifting to support customers through partners and regional offices. The decision follows business model changes and reflects challenges in Pakistan’s tech investment climate, despite the country’s large population and government initiatives to boost the IT sector.
Pakistan assembled 12.5 million mobile phones locally in the first five months of 2025, significantly outpacing imports which declined by over 16%. PTA recorded 10,000 telecom complaints in May with a 98% resolution rate. Smartphones make up 67% of devices on Pakistan’s networks, highlighting strong local production and ongoing sector improvements.
GlobalTech Corporation and Omantel have signed a non-binding MoU to explore a partnership leveraging AI and Big Data technologies. The collaboration aims to deliver innovative AI solutions across multiple industries, supporting Oman’s Digital Transformation and economic diversification efforts under Vision 2040.
Moroccan ministries and partners signed MOUs to promote ethical AI use, including a strategic data center partnership between the Ministry of Digital Transition and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. The collaboration focuses on innovation, training, sustainability, and digital sovereignty to strengthen national capacity in data governance.
Keymous+, a North African hacker group, has executed over 700 DDoS attacks across multiple continents in 2025. Blending hacktivism with commercial operations, they are linked to a DDoS-for-hire service and maintain collaborations with other cyber groups. Their opaque motives and high-volume attacks reflect evolving trends in cyber threats.
Jordan’s tourism sector recorded an 18 percent increase in visitor numbers and a 16 percent rise in tourism revenues in the first half of 2025. Key destinations like the Dead Sea saw significant growth, supported by infrastructure development, targeted marketing, and public-private collaborations enhancing accessibility and services.
CTTECH+ has been launched in nine Partner States to enhance counter-terrorism policies, law enforcement technological capabilities, and public-private partnerships against terrorist misuse of new technologies. The initiative supports global efforts to combat terrorism in the digital age through tailored national and international cooperation.