Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
tapmad has secured exclusive SVOD rights for PSL 11 in Pakistan and global VOD rights for highlights through a partnership with Walee. The 2026 season features eight teams, 44 matches, and a new player auction system. Key highlights include the debut of Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi Pindiz, with Naseem Shah becoming the league’s most expensive player at Rs. 86.5M.
The project is expected to be fully operational by June 2026. This development follows the PTA’s recent focus on regional connectivity, including the waiving of “Right of Way” charges in AJK to accelerate infrastructure deployment. For residents and the millions of tourists who visit these regions annually, this leap from 4G to 5G represents a significant upgrade in communication reliability and speed.
Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of AI to accelerate its Vision 2030 goals. With $9.1 billion in sector funding and the launch of a new national “AI-Palm” logo, the Kingdom is focusing on large-scale infrastructure like the Hexagon Data Center and global events like the 4th Global AI Summit. The initiative aims to unify national efforts across government and private sectors while training over 11,000 specialists to lead the new digital economy.
ShipBee has raised $500,000 in seed funding to expand its AI-driven logistics platform across Qatar and the GCC. Led by GrowthX Capital, the funds will enhance real-time tracking and routing efficiency. The startup aims to modernize the MENA shipping sector by creating a unified marketplace for businesses and consumers, with future plans to enter the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets.
inDrive has acquired KraveMart to enter Pakistan’s quick-commerce market, challenging Foodpanda’s 65% dominance. Following a $150M funding round in 2025, inDrive is utilizing its “super app” strategy to consolidate delivery services. The deal leverages Pakistan’s low delivery costs ($0.80 per order) to attempt a profitable 15-minute grocery model, despite the country’s ongoing economic volatility.
Pakistan has completed the 2600 MHz positioning round in the second phase of its 5G auction and is currently finalizing the 3500 MHz assignment. Jazz, Ufone, and Zong are competing for the best “slots” in the bands they purchased during the $507 million allocation phase. Final results for all band positions are expected to be announced together later today, paving the way for network rollout within six months.
Wi-Fi Nepal has reached 100,000 households in less than three years, expanding to 100+ cities with 40 regional offices. Recognized as a top 10 ISP in 2025, the company focuses on providing affordable internet to students, small businesses, and low-income families to bridge Nepal’s digital gap.
Morocco will host the debut GITEX Future Health Africa from May 4–6, 2026, targeting a projected $259 billion African healthcare market. The summit will bring together global tech giants and policymakers to discuss AI in hospitals, health sovereignty, and digital diagnostics. It marks a major step in Morocco’s goal to become Africa’s primary hub for medical technology and digital health systems.
Morocco has launched the “AI Made in Morocco” initiative to develop locally designed technological solutions for Industry X.0 and healthcare. As part of the Digital Morocco 2030 Strategy, the government also established the Al-Jazari Institute of Industry X.0 to foster collaboration between universities and industry. The plan seeks to position Morocco as a regional digital hub and capture a share of the projected $4.8 trillion global AI market.
A joint report by Kaspersky and INTERPOL reveals that 2.1 million Moroccan digital identities were stolen during Afcon 2025. Cybercriminals used infostealer malware and fraudulent websites to harvest credentials for the dark web. The surge in attacks, including DDoS and identity theft, serves as a high-stakes test for Morocco’s cybersecurity ahead of the 2030 World Cup.