Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Jordan’s imports of mobile devices in 2024 totaled approximately JD176 million, with 1.855 million devices entering the market. Purchases using debit cards reached JD60.2 million, and tablet imports amounted to JD45 million. This marks significant growth in mobile device sales, reflecting increasing demand and the shift towards digital transactions.
Careem Pay has expanded its remittance service to Egypt, allowing UAE residents to send money directly to Egyptian bank accounts with competitive rates and near-instant transfers. This service, which offers a 50% cost saving over banks, is launched in time for Ramadan, when remittances typically see an increase.
Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to expand AI use across government ministries to improve efficiency and governance. The initiative aims to automate public services, enhance transparency, and optimize decision-making through data analysis. AI’s role in reducing administrative burdens and combating corruption is central to this transformation.
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in Bahrain organized a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session aimed at enhancing national capacity to achieve SDGs, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. Efforts include developing infrastructure, supporting digital transformation, and promoting sustainable transport solutions in coordination with relevant ministries.
Telenor Pakistan has invested over $5 billion in the country, contributing more than Rs500 billion in taxes over 20 years. The company continues to serve 44 million customers while enhancing connectivity in northern Pakistan through 4G services and technological innovations, including achieving record-breaking data speeds and conducting a 5G trial.
Orange and Telesat have partnered to integrate Telesat Lightspeed’s satellite technology into Orange Wholesale’s global portfolio, providing low-latency, secure connectivity solutions. This collaboration will enhance connectivity in underserved regions, combining advanced satellite technology with Orange’s expertise to boost resilience and digital inclusion in remote areas across Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Ooredoo Group and ITPC have signed an agreement to land the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, positioning the country as a major hub for global data traffic between Asia and Europe. The cable will enhance Iraq’s digital infrastructure and drive growth in AI, Cloud, and IoT sectors.
Orange Jordan has earned the prestigious “Tier III Design” certification from the American Uptime Institute for its Hashem Data Center, located in the Medical City. This achievement, alongside the company’s Marj Al-Hamam data center’s similar certification, highlights Orange Jordan’s commitment to international standards of quality, reliability, and security in data center operations.
UNDP, GSMA, and e& have unveiled an AI-powered platform to generate real-time insights from non-conventional data, helping policymakers address critical issues like climate change and public health. This initiative supports sustainable development across the Arab States, ensuring that AI is deployed ethically and responsibly for impactful decision-making.
HUTCH has partnered with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) through its Future Connect programme to provide undergraduates with essential skills in areas like Data Analytics, IT, Networking, and HR. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, preparing students for successful careers.