Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bahrain and Qatar have committed to strengthening cooperation in transport, logistics, and infrastructure development. Ministers Dr. Shaikh Abdulla and Shaikh Mohammed discussed collaboration in land, sea, and air transport, with a focus on enhancing economic integration within the GCC. Both countries emphasized the importance of sustainable development.
The African smartphone market grew by 9% in 2024, reaching 74.7 million units, driven by easing inflation. Transsion led with a 51% market share, while Samsung and Xiaomi followed. Despite challenges like high inflation and currency depreciation, Africa remains a promising growth market, with expectations of slower growth in 2025.
Telenor IoT has partnered with stc to provide IoT connectivity management services in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration will enable seamless connectivity for customers in the Kingdom, including manufacturers in the transportation sector. This partnership supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the growing demand for connected devices and services.
Gemini Code Assist for individuals has launched a public preview, offering free, AI-assisted coding help to developers. With up to 180,000 code completions monthly and AI-powered code reviews for GitHub repositories, it provides generous access, enhancing productivity and code quality for developers, students, and startups.
e& reported record financial results for FY 2024, with net profit growing 4.3% to AED10.8 billion. Revenues increased by 10.1%, driven by expansion across business verticals and strong subscriber growth. The company’s AI-driven innovation, strategic acquisitions, and expansion into Europe underscore its continued leadership in digital transformation.
Northstar Telecom has partnered with SonicWall to offer Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) in Bahrain. This managed solution provides 24/7 threat protection and security monitoring for businesses of all sizes, ensuring seamless security and connectivity. The service is available with Northstar’s Business Fiber Broadband for a simple monthly plan.
stc Group reported strong FY 2024 results, with an 85% surge in net profit reaching SAR24.7 billion. The company saw revenue growth of SAR75.8 billion and made significant strategic moves, including launching a digital bank, expanding in Telefónica, and enhancing its infrastructure offerings. Cash dividends of SAR3.75 per share were declared.
Vodafone Qatar has signed an MoU with SAWAA Technology to drive digital transformation for startups. The partnership will provide training, consultations, and joint product offerings, leveraging Vodafone Qatar’s advanced digital solutions to support local businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in Qatar’s growing digital ecosystem.
Metito Utilities has partnered with SAP to accelerate its digital transformation using GROW with SAP, implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud to optimize operations, financial agility, and workforce management. The partnership supports Metito’s global expansion, driving innovation and sustainability in water management solutions across multiple regions, starting with the UAE.
Sri Lankan tech startups gathered at the EDB on February 20th for an awareness session aimed at exploring European market opportunities. The event focused on leveraging Berlin’s startup ecosystem, with insights from key speakers including Marten Rauschenberg and Manori Unambuwe, promoting global collaboration and international expansion for local businesses.