Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The UAE is projected to add more than one million workers by 2030, driven by rapid AI adoption, digital transformation, and economic growth. The report highlights strong demand for technology roles and emphasizes upskilling as key to ensuring AI-driven expansion translates into sustainable job creation.
Rising RAM prices are expected to push smartphone costs higher in 2026, with analysts forecasting a market contraction and price increases of up to 7 percent. Smaller manufacturers are likely to be hit hardest, while feature reductions may become more common across mid-range devices.
Egypt improved its Digitalization of Work and Training Index score to 80.3 in 2025, advancing by 1.9 points year on year. The progress reflects successful national initiatives that focus on digital skills training, youth empowerment, and workforce readiness for the global digital economy.
Egypt’s ICT sector has driven rapid growth in digital exports, infrastructure, outsourcing, and skills development over the past seven years. With strong investment, workforce expansion, and regulatory support, the country is strengthening its position as a regional digital hub and a global outsourcing destination.
Mobily’s new “Ever Closer” platform marks a strategic brand evolution, blending Saudi cultural insight with large-scale storytelling. Developed with FP7 McCann Riyadh, the campaign celebrates human connection while signaling Mobily’s shift from a traditional telecom operator to a future-ready technology, media, and telecom player aligned with Vision 2030.
Sama X has received regulatory approval to launch Starlink satellite internet services across Jordan, marking the first phase of its regional expansion. As an authorised Starlink reseller backed by Alghanim Industries, the company aims to deliver high-speed connectivity to enterprises, public sector entities, and underserved communities nationwide.
Nice Deer has partnered with Telecom Egypt to manage healthcare services for over 28,000 employees through its digital insurance platform. The collaboration will automate insurance operations, improve claims accuracy, enhance transparency, and reduce costs, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to digital transformation and innovation in Egypt’s corporate healthcare ecosystem.
Bangladesh is preparing to introduce a one-stop digital approval platform for telecom infrastructure under its Network and Licensing Policy 2025. By recognising tower and fibre providers as national connectivity infrastructure and streamlining right-of-way approvals, the country aims to accelerate 4G and 5G rollout, reduce deployment delays, and support digital inclusion and economic growth.
Bangladesh will reduce the maximum number of SIM cards per person from 10 to five starting January 2026, aiming to curb mobile-related crimes and tighten regulatory control ahead of elections. Excess SIMs will be deactivated, though IoT SIMs will follow a separate process. The move has sparked mixed reactions among users and operators.
Pakistan plans a major telecom spectrum auction in early 2026 to address network congestion and improve internet quality. The government aims to auction nearly 600 MHz of spectrum, the largest in its history, enabling better 3G and 4G services and supporting the country’s first rollout of 5G, following approval of the framework by the ECC.