Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
stc has been named the strongest brand in the Middle East and among the world’s top telecom brands by Brand Finance. The ranking reflects sustained investment in digital infrastructure, AI, and cloud services, reinforcing stc’s global stature and its role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital ambitions.
Trango Tech has expanded its mobile app development operations across the GCC with dedicated teams in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The move strengthens regional delivery for enterprises and startups, offering secure, bilingual, and regulation-compliant mobile solutions across key sectors including fintech, eCommerce, healthcare, and logistics.
Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa, as consumers rapidly move away from cash. Mobile payments alone represent 16%, driven by convenience, security, and Vision 2030 reforms that are embedding digital finance into everyday life.
Zarea has signed a $2 million MoU with Chinese agri-platform Wang Chuang Xi Jun Chang Agri to bring advanced seeds, agronomic services, and scalable production systems to Pakistan. The partnership aims to modernise the agri-value chain, boost productivity, and enable cross-border technology transfer and trade.
PTA has licensed nine local VPN providers and launched a free registration portal, with over 30,000 users already enrolled. The move supports secure remote work for businesses and freelancers while strengthening oversight through new IP whitelisting rules to curb misuse and enhance cybersecurity.
Pakistan has spent over Rs52bn to extend telecom services to remote areas through the Universal Service Fund, but uneven coverage persists due to low commercial returns, security concerns, and infrastructure gaps. Officials told parliament that private operators drive expansion, and improved law and order is key to attracting investment and closing connectivity gaps.
Oman’s Global Money Exchange has launched Global Pay, a mobile payments app powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Pay platform. The solution enables bill payments, remittances, and merchant transactions, aligning with Oman’s digital transformation agenda and supporting cashless adoption, financial inclusion, and modern payment experiences.
Oman’s mobile networks continue to lead the region, with Opensignal highlighting strong gains in 5G, speed, reliability, and coverage. Regulatory reforms, spectrum refarming, and large-scale upgrades have delivered near-universal 4G and 90% 5G reach, positioning the Sultanate as a regional connectivity benchmark.
Oman joined Arab telecom ministers in Cairo, urging deeper regional cooperation on cybersecurity and digital development. The Sultanate highlighted progress in broadband, digital government, data governance, and AI, as the council approved the creation of a regional artificial intelligence committee to coordinate Arab efforts.
Nepali accounting professionals in the UAE gathered in Dubai for NPAF’s flagship seminar “Yantra – AI & Innovation,” exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the finance profession. Industry leaders shared practical insights on AI, strategy, and e-invoicing, reinforcing NPAF’s mission to build a future-ready professional community.