Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Vodafone Oman and Riyada hosted their first SME business event in Dhofar, presenting digital solutions and tailored plans to support small businesses. The event is part of Vodafone’s broader campaign to strengthen SMEs’ digital capabilities and foster sustainable growth across Oman.
Ncell has become Nepal’s first operator to offer outbound VoLTE roaming, initially launching the service with Airtel in India. The telco plans to expand partnerships with other global operators to provide HD voice and high-speed data services for customers abroad.
Orange is expanding its collaboration with OpenAI to deploy advanced AI models locally across 26 countries, focusing on African languages and open-source releases. This will enhance AI services like chatbots, voice assistants, and network automation while ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance.
PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan faces regulatory scrutiny over financial and competition concerns, slowing progress and delaying Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auctions. Telenor expects the sale to close in late 2025 amid strategic withdrawal from the Pakistani market.
Middle East startups are setting global tech trends, with the UAE as a major launchpad. Innovators like Seez and Dake Rechsand offer original, scalable solutions to global challenges, attracting strong investments and expanding internationally.
NetApp has appointed Saeed Al-Zahrani as General Manager for Saudi Arabia to drive local strategy and partnerships, supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation. Al-Zahrani brings extensive leadership experience and will focus on sectors like energy and healthcare to build intelligent data infrastructure.
Tamkeen and Salica Investments have opened applications for the third cohort of the Riyada Business Accelerator, supporting early-stage Bahraini-led tech startups with mentorship, funding access, and growth support. The six-month program concludes with a Demo Day connecting founders to investors.
Allied Bank has launched a 3D metaverse banking platform powered by Avanza’s ORIEN, offering immersive, gamified banking experiences for tech-savvy customers accessible via mobile and desktop. This step highlights Allied Bank’s innovation focus and digital future readiness.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council warns against unofficial mobile apps due to rising cyber threats and urges use of official app stores with careful permission management. The campaign promotes safe digital habits amid increasing cyberattacks, highlighting the importance of public vigilance and cybersecurity education.
Huawei Cloud, in collaboration with CODE and NAUATECH, hosted the Saudi Arabia 2025 Developer Conference in Riyadh, showcasing AI-powered tools and training programs to empower local developers. With plans to expand cloud offerings and high-profile certifications, Huawei strengthens its role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation.