Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia has launched its first drone delivery trial for postal parcels, in partnership with GACA and TGA. The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce delivery times, and advance digital transformation under Vision 2030, marking a key milestone in the Kingdom’s adoption of innovative transport solutions.
Mastercard has partnered with Dubai-based fintech Qlub to advance digital dining payments across the GCC. The deal includes a minority investment and processing through Mastercard Gateway, combining secure global infrastructure with Qlub’s QR-based dining solutions. The partnership aims to scale seamless, contactless hospitality payments regionally and beyond.
Bahrain and Egypt have signed a landmark MoU to enhance tourism ties, focusing on cultural exchange, investment, sustainability, and digital transformation. The agreement promotes joint events, reciprocal tourism weeks, and eco-friendly initiatives while aligning with national strategies to strengthen both nations’ positions as leading MENA tourism destinations.
Roblox has suspended in-game chat across Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East to address child safety concerns and improve content moderation. The move follows regulatory pressure, recent bans in Kuwait, Qatar, and Turkey, and lawsuits abroad, raising global questions about online safety and responsibility in gaming platforms.
Bangladesh has introduced a new telecom licensing policy consolidating over 20 licence types into three while capping foreign ownership in network access services at 85 percent. The reform phases out intermediary operators, addresses transparency concerns, and seeks to streamline the sector, though operators warn of risks to local businesses and investment confidence.
Dr Gift Machengete of POTRAZ has called on global regulators to embrace adaptive and inclusive governance models to keep pace with AI, blockchain, and IoT. Highlighting evidence-based regulation, innovation sandboxes, and multi-stakeholder engagement, he stressed the importance of balancing innovation, consumer protection, and sustainability in digital transformation.
This landmark deployment of ZTE and MTN’s 5-band RRU in South Africa improves efficiency, reduces site complexity, and cuts power consumption by over 40%. It sets a new global standard for sustainable network evolution, empowering Africa’s digital transformation while addressing cost, capacity, and environmental challenges faced by telecom operators.
KaliSpot has launched its first 1Net smart kiosks in Dakar, offering interoperable cash-in/cash-out and digital financial services. The fintech plans nationwide rollout in 2025, regional expansion with Solarix, and aims to build West and Central Africa’s first hybrid intelligent proximity platform within three years.
TTCL will build over 1,400 communication towers by 2027 to expand rural connectivity and strengthen Tanzania’s digital economy. The government-backed initiative aligns with the National Digital Strategy and Vision 2050, positioning Tanzania as a future high-income, digitally advanced nation.
Jamil Bustami & Sons and Hakaya Group have partnered under a Bridgestone 3M Contract to enhance tyre maintenance and monitoring. The deal includes staff training to boost safety standards, reflecting a joint commitment to secure and professional passenger transport in Jordan.