Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
AI-powered cyberattacks are accelerating across the UAE, enabling deepfakes, automated phishing, and rapid data theft. Shorter detection windows heighten risks for banks, hospitals, and smart infrastructure, pushing organisations to adopt zero-trust models, secure-by-design systems, and stronger digital awareness.
UAE consumers are rapidly moving away from cash, with 68 percent now largely non-cash users, according to Visa. Everyday spending is dominated by cards and mobile payments, while cash lingers mainly in tips, remittances, and rent. Convenience, security, and rewards are accelerating the shift.
The UAE has introduced a far-reaching Child Digital Safety Law that applies to both local and foreign platforms targeting UAE users. With risk-based classification, age safeguards, and extraterritorial reach, the framework reshapes compliance for digital platforms and ISPs ahead of full enforcement in 2027.
AI-generated protest videos are flooding social media as Iran’s internet blackout limits real footage. NewsGuard identified seven deepfakes with 3.5 million views, shared by both sides to shape narratives. Experts warn “hallucinated” visuals now dominate breaking news, distorting reality and exploiting information vacuums.
The Government Communications Forum in Doha brought together over 800 leaders and global partners to advance strategic communications as a national asset. Through panels, workshops, and awards, the forum strengthened coordination, digital capability, and narrative-building in support of Qatar National Vision 2030 and institutional excellence.
Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 has been recognised by the United Nations as a global best practice in digital transformation. The strategy aligns technology with national development, emphasises inclusion and sustainability, and positions Qatar as a benchmark for digital government and long-term digital planning worldwide.
The February spectrum auction will release 600 MHz of capacity, giving Pakistan a chance to fix chronic network constraints. Aamir Ibrahim says success depends on prioritizing affordable, reliable internet over 5G hype, strengthening 4G nationwide, enabling handset financing, and treating connectivity as national infrastructure powering education, health, and economic inclusion.
Pakistan’s telecom operators have warned that PTA’s 5G Information Memorandum imposes rollout obligations requiring $150–200 million in annual infrastructure investment per operator, excluding spectrum costs. In a low-ARPU market, executives say the framework is commercially unviable and must be revised to enable sustainable 5G deployment.
Oman’s transport and digital sectors recorded strong gains under Vision 2040, with RO 2.3bn invested since 2021, over 1,700 government services digitised, rising Omanisation, and sharp growth in port volumes. The update reflects accelerating infrastructure delivery and nationwide digital transformation.
Cerillion has secured a £42.5m, five-year deal with Omantel to deliver BSS and OSS platforms supporting billing, CRM, and network operations. The agreement underpins Oman’s Vision 2040 digital agenda and positions Cerillion as a core partner in Omantel’s transformation into a regional technology powerhouse.