Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sri Lanka’s female-led tech entrepreneurs participated in GITEX Global & Expand North Star 2025 in Dubai, showcasing innovation and engaging in global networking under EDB’s New Exporter Development Programme. The event enhanced international exposure and investor connections for Sri Lankan women in the technology sector.sri lanka tech entrepreneurs, gitex 2025, female-led innovation
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) has announced the appointment of M. Riyaaz Rasheed as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective…
Invest Saudi will highlight the Kingdom’s $14.9 billion technology investment portfolio at Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and logistics innovation under Vision 2030. With a digital economy projected to reach $76 billion by 2030, Saudi Arabia is leveraging its vast connectivity infrastructure — including 1,300 megawatts of data-center capacity and 20 subsea cables — to anchor its regional digital leadership.
Ooredoo Qatar sponsored the ESI 2025 conference at Qatar University, themed “Frontier Technologies for Resilient Economies.” The event focused on AI, blockchain, IoT, and quantum computing, aligning with Qatar’s vision for sustainability and innovation through strong industry-academic collaboration.
Ooredoo is serving as the Official Telecom Sponsor of Qatar University’s ESI 2025, themed “Frontier Technologies for Resilient Economies.” The partnership underscores Ooredoo’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and Qatar National Vision 2030, while enabling global collaboration on AI, blockchain, IoT, and quantum computing.
Google will assemble 600,000 Chromebooks annually in Pakistan through a public-private partnership with NRTC, creating jobs and supporting education. The initiative includes AI training programs and school labs, signaling rising global tech investment and Pakistan’s growing role in the regional digital ecosystem.
Pakistan’s Ignite Board has approved major digital programs, including the PM’s Cloud Programme, Code4AI, and Cyber Security Hackathon 2025. The initiatives will train thousands in AI, blockchain, and SAP technologies while expanding startup support and positioning Pakistan as a regional digital innovation hub.
Oman’s FinTech Market to Hit RO 1.1 Billion by 2025, Fueling Investor Confidence and Startup Innovation
Oman’s financial sector is undergoing a transformative shift, with the FinTech market projected to reach RO 1.1 billion by 2025, representing a 16% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The forecast, revealed at the “Building a Future-Ready Bank” summit by IBS Intelligence and Cedar, signals Oman’s emergence as a regional hub for financial innovation.
The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has been pivotal in this rise through its Innovation Acceleration Programme and Regulatory Sandbox, fostering pilot projects, testing new technologies, and enabling a tiered digital-bank licensing framework. This forward-looking regulatory environment has propelled the number of FinTech firms from 26 to 42 within a year, with 16 new licenses issued in 2025 and 52 more under review.
Key growth areas include digital payments (22%), personal finance, trading, and crowdfunding (19% each) — signaling strong demand for financial inclusion and smarter investment solutions. Oman’s push toward a digital-first financial system is reinforced by its national AI policy, alignment with Oman Vision 2040, and global recognition as the fourth-best developing economy for ICT-related FDI.
Backed by initiatives like the RO 25 million Inma Fund for SMEs and 14.5 million digital transactions via OmanNet in early 2025, the Sultanate’s FinTech ecosystem offers fertile ground for both local entrepreneurs and global investors. This convergence of innovation, regulation, and investment is positioning Oman as a regional leader in digital finance and technology-driven growth.
Oman has been hailed as a leading model for digital transformation and inclusion in the Digital Economy Navigator 2025 (DEN 2025) report, launched by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) during the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha. The index, covering 80 countries representing 94% of global GDP, ranks Oman above the global average in digital policy, governance, and social inclusion, reflecting the success of long-term initiatives under Vision 2040.
WorldLink Communications has launched its 6G Wi-Fi technology in Nepal, offering 40% wider coverage and four times faster speeds than Wi-Fi 5G. Backed by Nokia, the innovation strengthens Nepal’s digital infrastructure and underscores WorldLink’s commitment to technological excellence and community development.