Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Omantel has moved to reassure stakeholders after the FSA ordered a restatement of its 2024 financials due to IFRS compliance issues. The company said the revision is technical, will not impact operations, and it remains committed to transparency and protecting shareholder interests.
North Africa is emerging as a cornerstone of MENA’s gaming market, powered by a youthful population, government backing, and investor confidence. With 559 million players across the region and over $56m in recent funding, MENA is becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming ecosystems.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister issued Edict (62) of 2025 appointing four officials to the Board of the Qatar–Bahrain Causeway Foundation. The appointments are for a renewable three-year term and strengthen oversight of the landmark infrastructure project.
Kuwait has set a Guinness World Record for the longest-distance remote robotic surgery at over 12,000 km, connecting surgeons in Kuwait and Brazil. Enabled by Zain’s low-latency network and supported by MOH and KFAS, the operation showcases Kuwait’s leadership in digital medicine and global healthcare innovation.
Ooredoo and DE-CIX have launched Doha IX, Qatar’s first commercial Internet Exchange. Hosted in Ooredoo’s data centre, the IX delivers low-latency interconnection for hyperscalers, ISPs, and cloud providers, with direct access to Microsoft and Google services. The project supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and positions the nation as a regional digital hub.
Indonesia will auction 80 MHz in the 1.4 GHz band on October 13, with Telkom Indonesia, MyRepublic, and Viberlink entering the bidding stage. The spectrum is expected to expand 4G/5G capacity, improve coverage, and support affordable broadband, advancing Indonesia’s digital infrastructure goals.
Zain Group has been upgraded to an ‘A’ MSCI ESG rating, reflecting its strong governance, data privacy measures, and a perfect 10/10 environmental score tied to its Net Zero 2050 agenda. The achievement underlines Zain’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible innovation through its “4WARD–Progress with Purpose” strategy.
The UAE has announced the launch of its first AI Centre of Excellence, a partnership between Lakeba Group, UOWD, DoxAI, and AqlanX. Backed by NextGen FDI, the Centre will focus on sovereign AI R&D, Arabic LLMs, talent incubation, and IP commercialization, positioning the UAE as a global leader in AI innovation.
Abu Dhabi has banned cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land, imposing a Dh100,000 fine on violators, with penalties doubling for repeat offenses. Authorities will cut power, seize equipment, and suspend support services for non-compliant farms. The move, a 900% fine increase from 2024, aims to safeguard food security and sustainability.
Sri Lanka is accelerating its digital economy strategy with a five-year plan blending global best practices from India, Singapore, Estonia, and others. At the Fintech Summit 2025, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya highlighted AI, seamless citizen services, and a national digital identity system as pillars of the transformation.