Tech leaders met in Ras Al Khaimah for the ‘Re: Sustainable IT Summit’ to discuss sustainable hardware practices. Organized by Circular Computing, the event emphasized remanufacturing as key to reducing e-waste and CO2 emissions. Circular Computing’s $33 million contract with the Irish Government underscores the viability of sustainable IT solutions.
Ooredoo reported a 9% revenue growth in H1 2024, reaching KD346 million ($1.1 billion), driven by strong performance in Kuwait, Maldives, Tunisia, and Algeria. Customer base increased by 4% to 25.5 million, and EBITDA grew by 8% to KD125 million. Net profit attributable to NMTC decreased to KD25 million due to a one-time gain in H1 2023.
Egypt plans to boost its ICT sector’s contribution to GDP from 5.8% to 8% by 2030. Minister Amr Talaat emphasized strategic collaborations and investments in submarine cables, cloud computing, and local mobile manufacturing. Initiatives include training programs for 500,000 ICT professionals annually, expanding digital innovation centers, and enhancing digital infrastructure, including broadband coverage and fiber optic networks, to support these goals.
In collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority, Huawei has launched the eighth edition of the ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme in Qatar. The initiative aims to develop ICT skills among Qatari youth, selecting 10 elite students to participate in a regional programme in Uzbekistan, fostering innovation and cross-cultural exchange.
Dopay secures $13.5M to expand its digital payroll platform for unbanked workers in Egypt, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and launch new services.
Egypt is set to revolutionize its mobile telecom sector with e-SIM technology and its first 5G network, promising enhanced connectivity, competition, and affordability.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and Ministry of Industry and Commerce signed an MoU with AP Moller-Maersk to develop a ship recycling industry. The initiative aims to promote safe and sustainable ship recycling, enhance economic growth, and support Bahrain’s sustainable development and carbon neutrality goals.
eSiha, an Algerian e-health solution, connects users with healthcare professionals via a mobile app. Founded in 2019, it offers services like appointment scheduling, teleconsultations, and digital health records. With over 50,000 downloads and nearly 4,000 daily connections, eSiha significantly improves healthcare access and efficiency in Algeria.
Algeria has doubled its international bandwidth capacity to 9.8 Tbps by early 2024 and completed a 2,600 km fiber optic segment as part of the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone project. This initiative, aimed at fostering a digital economy, is co-funded by the AfDB and the EU, and will enhance connectivity and economic growth.
Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, reported a Tk 1,338 crore profit for Q1 2024, a 72% increase year-on-year. The growth was driven by reduced finance costs, foreign exchange gains, and lower income tax expenses, with revenue rising by 5% to Tk 3,734 crore.
