Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
UNIDO and partners have celebrated two years of progress in Egypt’s One Circle circular-economy project, highlighting major achievements in ICT repair, refurbishment, and e-waste processing. The initiative has launched two new centers with Nokia, DSV, Upgrade, E-Tadweer, and Orange Egypt, marking a significant shift toward sustainable electronics lifecycle management in Egypt.
HONOR has launched its first local smartphone manufacturing plant in Bangladesh with Tk150 crore investment, partnering with Smart Technologies. The AI-enabled facility in Gazipur will expand from one to four production lines within a year and aims for export readiness, supporting job creation, technology transfer, and national efforts to boost local device manufacturing.
PayPal’s planned launch in Bangladesh is expected to transform the country’s digital commerce by enabling SMEs, freelancers, and startups to receive global payments securely and efficiently. The platform could boost exports, improve cash flow, enhance transparency, and expand global market access, positioning Bangladesh for a new era of digital-led economic growth.
Across the Gulf, grassroots Web3 communities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Bahrain are driving real adoption through meetups, hackathons, and hands-on collaboration. These gatherings lower barriers, deepen skills, and connect developers with institutional players, making them a powerful force shaping the region’s next wave of digital innovation beyond regulation and investment.
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain signed nine agreements during the fourth Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council meeting in Manama, covering nuclear safety, taxation, education, investment, competition policy, sustainable development, transportation and the non-profit sector. The two Crown Princes reaffirmed strong bilateral ties and agreed to deepen cooperation across key strategic areas, with the next meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Algeria has launched its first green tech-focused TISC network, supported by WIPO, INAPI and leading research institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen sustainable innovation, connect Algerian inventors to global partners through WIPO GREEN, and build an ecosystem for climate-focused technologies. Stakeholders agreed on future collaboration, training programs and acceleration projects.
Algeria has reviewed its national e-commerce strategy and progress on major infrastructure projects during a meeting chaired by PM Sifi Ghrieb. The government discussed digital trade development, satellite-based rural connectivity, railway expansion, sports infrastructure, and critical water projects — all aimed at accelerating economic competitiveness and national modernisation.
Algeria has advanced major digital and infrastructure plans following a government meeting led by PM Sifi Ghrieb. The review covered the national e-commerce strategy, new satellite communication services for rural connectivity, and progress on major infrastructure projects including railways, dams, sports complexes, and water transfer systems—supporting the country’s broader modernization agenda.
Algeria has launched a national digital platform for reporting corruption in social services, enabling citizens and officials to submit evidence, track cases, and file anonymous complaints. Backed by nearly 9,500 trained public agents, the tool supports the country’s anti-corruption strategy, though its effectiveness will depend on enforcement, transparency, and whistleblower protection.
Pakistan’s USF has approved Rs13.05bn for nine new projects to expand high-speed broadband and fiber connectivity to 5.55 million rural residents. The NGBSD and OFC initiatives span multiple provinces, strengthening national fiberisation, supporting digital inclusion, and enhancing access to education, health, and IT opportunities in underserved regions.