Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Batelco by Beyon and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry have signed an MoU to strengthen SME competitiveness through advanced connectivity solutions. The partnership aims to empower SMEs, foster innovation, and support Bahrain’s long-term economic development in a fast-changing, technology-driven marketplace.
Bahrain has rolled out WE-Elevate, a DCO program to empower female-led MSMEs with digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills. By combining training, mentorship, and e-commerce tools, the initiative helps firms scale globally, close gender gaps in digital leadership, and contribute to inclusive economic growth across DCO Member States.
Omnes Technologies will host its first Mobile Developers Week in Abu Dhabi from December 13 to 15, bringing together Android and iOS developer communities for the first time. With 2,500+ attendees, 60+ speakers, and global partners, the event will spotlight mobile innovation, monetization, and the UAE’s digital economy ambitions.
Mastercard extended its digital identity partnership with Smile ID in Africa to scale secure onboarding and fraud prevention, while also signing an MoU with the Central Bank of Syria to develop a national payments ecosystem. These initiatives aim to expand financial inclusion, enhance compliance, and build digital infrastructure in emerging markets.
Ooredoo Group, in partnership with Innovatix Systems, has launched multilingual, scalable cybersecurity services across its markets. Already live in Qatar, Tunisia, Kuwait, and the Maldives, the services offer 24/7 SOC, EDR, and XDR, ensuring proactive protection, localized support, and real-time monitoring, with full rollout across all Ooredoo markets by 2025.
The Misk 2030 Leaders Program partnered with NEOM to host Module 4 of Cohort 7, focusing on executing strategies in dynamic environments. Participants received training in negotiation, alliances, and multicultural teamwork, with direct insights from NEOM executives, reinforcing Saudi Vision 2030’s leadership and transformation goals.
Viper and Apollo have deployed smart poles and lighting systems in Saudi Arabia, integrating 5G radio equipment, LED ad panels, and cameras. The initiative blends telecom, public services, and commercial features, advancing the Kingdom’s smart city transformation.
du has launched its 5G+ network in the UAE, based on 5G-Advanced, delivering up to 2x faster speeds than 5G. Supporting AI, AR, and UHD streaming, the network offers peak speeds of 5.4Gbps, enhanced reliability, and future-ready features like URLLC and mMTC for smart industries.
The UAE Media Council has warned against the unauthorized use of AI to depict national symbols or figures, labeling it a violation of media standards. It stressed that AI misuse for misinformation, defamation, or hate speech is a punishable offence, urging media users to comply with legal and ethical guidelines.
Pakistan’s 4G Internet slowdown and WhatsApp call disruptions have sparked debate between officials blaming infrastructure and spectrum gaps, and critics pointing to the national firewall as a bottleneck. With rising data demand and low telecom revenues, Pakistan faces urgent pressure to expand fiberization, spectrum, and investment to improve connectivity.