Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt has licensed tpay to enable direct carrier billing for government services, allowing citizens to pay utilities, fines, and official fees through mobile balances. The move expands access for unbanked users, simplifies transactions, and strengthens Egypt’s shift toward inclusive, mobile-first digital payments.
Sanabil Accelerator by Orbit will showcase 11 startups at its third Demo Day in Riyadh on January 28, spanning AI, edtech, food tech, proptech, and more. Each company receives $100,000 and four months of intensive support, advancing Saudi Vision 2030’s drive for innovation and economic diversification.
Nearly six in ten consumers in Kuwait now rely primarily on digital payments, according to Visa. Cash use is falling across everyday categories, with peer-to-peer payments seeing the sharpest decline. Convenience, security, and rewards are driving the shift toward cards and mobile wallets.
Egypt has launched its first hackathon in the New Valley to empower youth, drive digital entrepreneurship, and address local challenges. Led by MCIT and NTI, the initiative targets students and graduates, offering training, mentorship, and cash prizes for innovations in agriculture, energy, tourism, and community services.
Egyptian edtech leader eYouth has entered Iraq with the launch of the country’s first Arabic digital learning platform. Partnering with Al-Majal Group, the initiative targets workforce readiness, employer-aligned skills, and scalable education, supporting youth, professionals, and national economic development.
Riyadh Air has launched Riyadh Cargo as a tech-first air freight business, embedding digital platforms, real-time tracking, and scalable operations across its wide-body fleet. The move supports Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub while enabling reliable, data-driven cargo growth alongside the airline’s expansion.
Saudi geospatial firm GBT has raised $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to scale its smart city and GeoAI solutions across the Kingdom. The round will fuel team growth, infrastructure, and next-generation products as demand rises under Vision 2030 and mega-projects like NEOM drive adoption of spatial intelligence.
Saudi Arabia’s investment minister told Davos the AI race is accelerating and no single nation will dominate. Emphasizing global diffusion and strategic optionality, he outlined the Kingdom’s energy-backed AI ambitions, cross-border data strategy, and early leadership on digital embassies to safeguard sovereignty in a multipolar AI future.
Saudia and the Saudi Tourism Authority helped bring 27 million international visitors to the Kingdom in 2025. A new “Spirit of Saudi” Boeing 787-9 will serve 25 global destinations in 2026, promoting Saudi hospitality and supporting Vision 2030 goals to reach 150 million tourists by 2030.
Pakistan’s local mobile phone manufacturing fell in 2025 due to weak demand and longer replacement cycles, with output down 4 percent year-on-year. Despite the slowdown, locally assembled devices still met 93 percent of domestic demand. Analysts expect a recovery driven by currency stability, easing inflation, and improving consumer confidence.