Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Algeria climbed 15 ranks to 74th place in the ITU’s 2025 ICT Development Index, exceeding global, regional, and income group averages. This progress underscores Algeria’s commitment to expanding universal and meaningful internet connectivity nationwide, supporting broader digital inclusion in line with presidential vision.
Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has urged the Auction Advisory Committee to meet and progress the 5G spectrum auction. The meeting is expected to be chaired by the Finance Minister following the budget. The government also awaits the Competition Commission’s approval on a telecom merger. A finalized 5G report will guide auction decisions, supporting the PM’s goal of $25 billion IT exports and imminent 5G rollout.
Pakistan’s Universal Service Fund has approved Rs7.49 billion to expand 4G broadband and fiber optic infrastructure in remote districts, connecting millions of residents and supporting digital inclusion. The initiative promotes access to digital services, enabling participation in freelancing and startups, and contributes to IT sector growth.
BBK, CrediMax, and Batelco have signed a strategic MoU to collaborate on integrated digital services, including aligned loyalty programs and joint marketing efforts. The partnership will offer exclusive benefits and flexible purchasing options such as ‘Buy Now, Pay Later,’ enhancing customer experience across Bahrain’s financial and telecom sectors.
Turkcell, Beko, and Ericsson completed the EU-backed VERGE project, enabling remote real-time industrial design between Istanbul and Eskişehir using 5G and XR technologies. This innovation enhances Türkiye’s digital production ecosystem by leveraging 5G’s low latency, network slicing, and AI-driven management to boost efficiency, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
HUTCH donated 100 electric bicycles to rural schoolchildren in Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura District to address transportation challenges and promote consistent school attendance. This CSR initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, supports green mobility and reflects HUTCH’s commitment to education, sustainability, and community upliftment.
Telecom Egypt and SubCom have completed two strategic landings of the SEA-ME-WE-6 subsea cable on Egypt’s Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, linked by resilient terrestrial routes. This cable, spanning over 21,700 km and designed for 126 Tbps capacity, will connect Southeast Asia to Europe with multiple landing points and is set to be ready in early 2026.
Gamezop is setting up its regional headquarters in Bahrain, backed by a $4 million investment and support from Bahrain’s Economic Development Board. The India-based gamification platform plans to expand its footprint in the Middle East by onboarding new partners and doubling revenue within 18 months. Bahrain’s strategic location and supportive ecosystem position it as a key hub for digital innovation and growth in the region.
Qatar’s Ooredoo and the UAE’s du have launched sovereign AI cloud services hosted locally to provide secure, low-latency access to advanced AI computing power. Ooredoo’s platform, powered by Nvidia Hopper GPUs, and du’s “National Hypercloud,” built on Oracle Alloy infrastructure, aim to accelerate AI adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare, and smart cities. These sovereign clouds enable compliance with national data policies while fostering innovation among governments, startups, and enterprises.
Syncrow has launched SyncOS, a cloud-based IoT platform designed to enhance smart building management across the GCC. Featuring real-time control, predictive maintenance, and wellness-focused automation, SyncOS supports regional sustainability goals and offers flexible integration for diverse environments.