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 GSMA’s Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad praised Pakistan’s progress but warned of a 52% mobile Internet usage gap, the largest in APAC. With reforms on spectrum, taxation, trust, and regulation, Pakistan could transform into a digital powerhouse, boosting economic growth, social inclusion, and regional leadership in innovation.
Ooredoo has launched the Salalah Data Centre and submarine cable landing station, the first of its kind in southern Oman. Positioned as a digital hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, the facility supports cloud, AI, and edge computing, offering scalable hosting, reduced latency, and vital resilience for global connectivity.
The 21st Festival des Plages Maroc Telecom has energized Morocco’s northern beaches, uniting crowds in Martil, Nador, and Saïdia through music that bridges heritage and modernity. Drawing tens of thousands nightly, the event highlights Morocco’s summer spirit of celebration, with performances from iconic and contemporary artists running until August 21.
Zain Kuwait, in collaboration with Huawei, has launched an AI-powered Digital Assistant called FME Mate to support wireless site engineers. Using LLM technology, it improves fault detection, repair efficiency, and reduces downtime by over 2,200 hours annually. The initiative boosts operational efficiency and supports Kuwait’s digital economy vision.
Kenya’s ICT sector grew strongly in Q3 2024/2025, driven by mobile, internet, and broadcasting services. Subscriptions rose across mobile, broadband, and mobile money, while smartphone adoption deepened digital access. However, cyber threats spiked by over 200%, prompting calls for enhanced security despite the sector’s robust expansion.
The NCC has ordered Globacom to separate its CEO and Chairman roles within 24 months under new corporate governance guidelines. The rules mandate stronger checks and balances across Nigeria’s telecom boards, with stricter requirements for independent directors, ICT expertise, and limitations on executive authority.
Core42’s deployment of GPT-OSS models through Compass API gives UAE organizations sovereign AI infrastructure with unmatched performance, scalability, and affordability. With local hosting, high-speed processing, hardware flexibility, and lower costs, businesses and developers can build sector-specific AI systems while ensuring compliance and innovation at global standards.
talabat Egypt, in partnership with ITI, has completed its “Up-skilling Program,” training 50 students and graduates in data and software engineering. The initiative focused on bridging academic learning with market demands, equipping participants with hands-on skills, mentorship, and professional readiness to drive Egypt’s digital transformation.
Google and GOMYCODE have launched the “Build with AI” initiative to train 1,000 Nigerian developers in Generative AI. The 11-week programme will teach practical skills using Gemini, with applications in fintech, healthtech, and agritech, and will culminate in a demo day showcasing local innovation.
Saudi youth teams at the EmpowerME Hackathon proposed AI-powered sustainability solutions, from café water reuse and mycelium packaging to loyalty-points tree planting. Organized by Starbucks Foundation, Alshaya Group, and INJAZ Al-Arab, the event aligned with Vision 2030 and showcased youth-led innovation for greener communities.