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
Oman’s mobile market has been reshaped by 5G investment, regulatory reform, and Vodafone’s entry. Network coverage now exceeds 90%, speeds have doubled, and global rankings improved. Omantel and Ooredoo lead performance, while Vodafone drives competition through digital-first pricing, supported by pro-investment regulation.
Saudi Arabia has launched a digital system to manage Ramadan iftar at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. Built with Ehsan and Nusuk, the platform enables online registration, secure payments, and permit issuance, ensuring transparent, efficient, and well-governed meal distribution.
Jordan marked International Day of Education 2026 by centering youth as co-creators of learning. UNESCO and UNICEF highlighted how young people must shape reform, align education with real opportunity, and lead digital and green transitions, ensuring inclusion and building a future-ready system rooted in partnership.
UNESCO Dhaka convened digital platforms, civil society, and media groups to address misinformation and digital risks ahead of Bangladesh’s February 2026 elections. The BALLOT workshop focused on AI threats, platform governance, and rights-based responses, strengthening capacity to protect electoral information integrity and public trust.
EdfaPay has launched Smart SoftPOS in Saudi Arabia following SAMA approval, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments on Android devices without hardware terminals. The unified, API-driven platform supports banks, fintechs, and enterprises with white-label solutions, accelerating cashless adoption and modernising the Kingdom’s payments ecosystem.
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.
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.
Jordan’s National Council for Future Technology, chaired by Crown Prince Hussein, is positioning technology as a core engine of growth and quality of life. Business leaders say its first-year impact across education, healthcare, and public services signals a strategic shift toward innovation, private-sector leadership, and a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.
Viridien and SLB will launch the region’s largest multi-client OBN seismic programme offshore Egypt in partnership with EGAS, starting in Q1 2026. The project aims to unlock deeper subsurface insight, attract global explorers, and reinforce Egypt’s role as a regional energy hub.