Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Paltel announced the disruption of fixed internet and landline services in Gaza and North Gaza following Israeli strikes that damaged key infrastructure routes. The outage comes amid warnings by human rights groups of a total collapse of telecom services due to fuel shortages and repeated targeting, isolating Gaza and obstructing humanitarian relief.
Batelco has become the first operator in Bahrain to introduce Eco-SIM cards made from 100% recycled plastic. The new cards, produced from recycled appliances, are fully recyclable and form part of a circular economy model. This initiative will reduce plastic waste, cut carbon emissions, and reinforce Beyon Group’s sustainability commitments.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its AI transformation with $14.9 billion in new investments, global partnerships, and talent development programs. With initiatives like Humain and collaborations with Microsoft, NVIDIA, and AWS, the Kingdom is becoming a global hub for AI innovation under Vision 2030.
Saudi-based Oumla has raised $2.4 million in seed funding, led by Core Vision with backing from Avalanche and angel investors. The fintech startup provides digital asset custody, blockchain connectivity, and tokenisation solutions, with plans to expand partnerships across regulators, banks, and government entities in the Kingdom and region.
Google Pay has launched in Saudi Arabia through SAMA’s mada payment system, allowing users to manage mada and credit cards via Google Wallet. The move supports Vision 2030 goals of reducing cash use and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global fintech leader.
Saudi Arabia’s SAMA and Ant International will roll out Alipay+ in 2026, enabling cross-border QR payments via the mada system. The initiative supports Vision 2030 goals of boosting digital payments, empowering SMEs, and enhancing the Kingdom’s status as a global tourism and innovation hub.
Qatar Foundation’s WISE has launched a new Edtech Accelerator cohort, selecting eight startups from over 300 applicants. The ventures span regions from MENA to Africa and Latin America, offering bold solutions in tutoring, coding, AI-driven learning, and digital credentials, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to education innovation and global impact.
Qatar’s CRA has updated in-building telecom standards to enhance internet speeds, mobile coverage, and digital-ready infrastructure. The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and positions the country as a leader in smart, future-proof connectivity across residential, business, and public developments.
Oman’s telecom sector grew 15.5% year-on-year, with IoT subscriptions more than doubling to 1.56 million and mobile broadband reaching 5.59 million. Fiber and 5G continued to expand, while DSL and fixed 4G collapsed, signaling a clear market shift toward next-generation connectivity.
BEAMTEL has launched CyberPlatform, Morocco’s first Arabic-language cybersecurity platform, to raise awareness among citizens, SMEs, schools, and public institutions. Designed to align with national laws and strategies, it simplifies digital protection measures, addresses rising cyber threats, and reinforces Morocco’s digital sovereignty.