Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The UN General Assembly has passed a resolution reaffirming Syrians’ sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan and Palestinians’ rights to their natural resources. Though symbolic, the vote underscores global support for resource ownership in occupied territories and raises concerns over restricted access to land, water, and energy that directly impacts economic and humanitarian conditions.
Visit Qatar won six awards at the 2025 SMARTIES Saudi Arabia Awards, including two Golds and the top honour for Best Use of AI in Marketing. The wins recognise its advanced AI-driven campaigns powered by hyper-personalisation, real-time optimisation, and big data analytics. Supported by Mindshare Qatar and Smartifai, its recent global campaigns delivered highly targeted, high-impact digital experiences that boosted audience engagement and reinforced Qatar’s position as an innovative tourism leader.
Qatar has introduced a unified regulation for radio communications infrastructure to speed up 5G deployment and future technologies. The guidelines merge older rules into one streamlined framework, promoting site sharing, reducing redundancy, and enforcing updated safety and technical standards. The CRA aims to boost telecom quality, improve transparency, and align infrastructure development with international best practices and Qatar’s long-term digital ambitions.
Oman’s ‘Maak’ application has modernised the country’s employment system by digitising 76% of labour services and simplifying recruitment for job-seekers and employers. With millions of applications processed and thousands of contracts finalised, the platform enhances transparency, reduces hiring costs, and improves overall service efficiency as Oman advances its digital labour market strategy.
Morocco plans to reach 70% 5G coverage by 2030, with 5G already active in 60 cities and data plans expanded at no extra cost. The country will also scale fiber access and mandate fiber-ready housing as part of its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy.
Morocco has launched nationwide 5G with Inwi, Orange Maroc, and Maroc Telecom simultaneously activating ultra-fast networks. The rollout delivers low-latency connectivity, immersive digital services, and stronger regional digital hub positioning through major infrastructure investments.
Kuwait’s Sahel platform is transforming public services with integrated digital journeys, cutting processes from months to minutes and surpassing three million users. Expanded services, streamlined user journeys, and major platform upgrades mark a major leap toward a unified, citizen-centric digital government.
Kuwait used the Arab Technology Forum to showcase its digital transformation success, AI ambitions, and youth-focused innovation strategy. With strong private-sector participation and plans for expanded engagement next year, Kuwait is strengthening its role as a regional tech leader and deepening cooperation with Europe.
IHS Towers has ended its lease deal with 9mobile (T2), forcing the operator to leave 2,576 tower sites starting in Q3 2025. The exit reflects T2’s financial troubles and shrinking network, while IHS shifts toward more stable clients amid sector-wide pressure in Nigeria’s telecom market.
Orange Jordan is expanding its network across Irbid with wider fiber and 5G coverage, new mobile and home internet offers, and enhanced digital services. The operator is investing in infrastructure, customer experience, and youth development while reaffirming its leadership in driving Jordan’s digital transformation.