Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan has set national targets to expand digital payments: 2 million digital merchants, 120m mobile banking users, and 15bn annual transactions by FY26. The plan also aims to route all remittances through wallets or banks. JazzCash and Easypaisa lead the market, while other telcos lag behind.
Oman has launched a digital platform for motorists to settle road damage costs after traffic accidents. The system enables online submission, review, and payment, streamlining claims and accelerating repairs to infrastructure like streetlights, traffic signals, and barriers. It improves transparency, accountability, and service efficiency in line with Oman’s digital vision.
Oman’s mobile subscriptions hit 8 million by June 2025, up 15.7% year-on-year. Broadband demand surged, with mobile broadband at 5.5 million and IoT connections doubling to 1.56 million. Fibre and 5G adoption grew, while legacy ADSL and fixed 4G services continued to decline, reflecting a shift to next-gen networks.
Nepal will launch 5G in Kathmandu and Pokhara by Magh 2082 following PM Oli’s directive to the communication ministry. This will be the first public rollout of 5G in the country, with Nepal Telecom expected to deliver speeds up to 1 Gbps, offering faster, more consistent, and lower-latency connectivity.
Nepal has launched a Rs two billion, three-year project to extend optical fibre in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. Led by NTA and NTC under the RTDF, the project will install 1,900 km of fibre across 23 districts and 194 local levels, advancing the government’s Digital Nepal Framework.
Morocco has launched its “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy to become a regional digital hub. The plan aims to digitize public services, boost the digital economy with 240,000 new jobs, and raise the UN Online Services Index ranking to 50th by 2030. Three accelerators—talent, inclusion, and connectivity—will drive implementation.
Zain Kuwait has launched the region’s first AI-powered digital assistant for wireless site engineers. Developed with Huawei, the solution uses LLM technology to enhance fault analysis and reduce downtime, cutting over 2,250 hours annually. The move strengthens Zain’s network leadership and accelerates Kuwait’s digital economy vision.
Jordan has launched its National Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028, aiming to strengthen infrastructure, build a competitive digital economy, and expand inclusive digital access. Built on five pillars and aligned with national modernization goals, the strategy promotes AI adoption, data governance, and citizen-centered digital services.
Egypt and Jordan have launched the Coral Bridge submarine cable, the first direct digital link between the two nations in 25 years. The 15 km high-capacity system across the Gulf of Aqaba strengthens their positions as regional digital hubs and boosts connectivity for AI, cloud, and international data flows.
Iraq has announced the creation of two new colleges at the University of Baghdad — the College of Excellence and the College of Artificial Intelligence — to open in 2025–2026. The initiative strengthens Iraq’s National AI Strategy, aiming to modernize higher education, upskill talent, and reduce reliance on outdated economic models despite infrastructure and faculty challenges.