Pakistan is showcasing its digital transformation at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, highlighting its advancements in AI, fintech, and startup innovation. With over 100 companies and 1,000+ delegates, Pakistan’s participation emphasizes its growing tech sector, robust talent pool, and commitment to becoming a leading hub for global tech investment.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar invited Etisalat and e& to invest further in the country’s telecom sector. During a meeting in Dubai with e& officials, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s investment-friendly policies and discussed opportunities for strengthening telecom infrastructure and attracting more foreign investment in the sector.
TCS has signed a digital transformation agreement with Muscat Clearing and Depository (MCD) to enhance Oman’s capital market infrastructure. TCS will implement its TCS BaNCS software suite and Quartz digital solutions to improve services like collateral management and risk management, aiming to future-proof MCD’s operations and expand market functionality.
Oman’s participation in LEAP 2025 led to nine tech cooperation agreements worth over $10 million. Omani startups such as GSME, DataMining, and Mubasher secured partnerships with Saudi firms in areas like semiconductors, AI, and software solutions, marking a significant expansion of Oman’s tech sector into international markets.
Oman’s telecom sector saw a 33.9% increase in postpaid mobile subscriptions, reaching 2.4 million by December 2024, while prepaid subscriptions fell slightly by 1.6%. Total mobile subscriptions rose by 7.5%, with significant growth in mobile broadband and fixed internet. The fixed-line sector, however, saw a sharp decline.
TIC, Pishgaman, and Omantel have signed a memorandum of agreement to enhance data transit between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This partnership will increase data transfer capacity to Oman to 4.5 Tbps, optimizing infrastructure, reducing costs, and strengthening Iran’s connectivity and security via northern and southern routes.
Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) has released a directive for the operation and management of data centers and cloud services. The directive mandates safety measures, compliance with international standards, and registration with the Department of Information and Technology, ensuring regulated and secure data management across the country.
ToumAI, an African AI startup based in Morocco, focuses on developing AI-driven customer experience solutions tailored for emerging markets. The company is addressing the gap in AI support for African languages by leveraging voice data to improve customer service in telecom, banking, and other sectors across the continent.
Zain sponsored the second edition of the Innovation and Excellence Award organized by the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, showcasing digital solutions for public sector transformation. The event highlighted Zain’s successful collaboration on the Smart Meters project and its commitment to advancing Kuwait’s digital and technological innovation.
Andrew Hanna, CEO of ZainTECH, highlights Saudi Arabia’s rapid digital transformation, driven by quick decision-making and evolving regulations. ZainTECH’s business in the Kingdom has doubled year-over-year, reflecting the country’s technological growth. Hanna also emphasizes practical AI adoption, incremental digital transformation, and the importance of cybersecurity in the region’s future.
