Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Iraq has digitally transformed 859 government entities, enabling the electronic exchange of around four million documents since 2020. Developed by Iraqi engineers, the e-governance programme reduces bureaucracy, cuts costs, strengthens document security, and supports faster, more transparent public administration across ministries and governorates.
By pairing cultural provocation with a practical keyboard solution, e&’s Arab-easy campaign confronts the rise of Arabizi and its impact on Arabic script. Through reimagined literary works and a friction-free Arabic typing experience, the initiative moves beyond awareness to drive real behaviour change and sustained language use.
Orange MEA’s agreement with CAF enables mobile-only access to selected Africa Cup of Nations matches via its Max it app across 13 Sub-Saharan African markets. The deal reflects a broader push toward mobile-centric content distribution while reinforcing Orange’s long-standing association with African football and regional fan engagement.
E-commerce has shifted power from sellers to consumers in Bangladesh by eliminating information gaps and enforcing transparency. Online price comparisons, reviews, and service expectations are reshaping both digital and physical retail, making trust and customer service essential for long-term competitiveness.
Cash still accounts for over 65 percent of transaction value in Bangladesh despite growth in digital payments and mobile financial services. Central bank data show slow progress toward a cashless economy, with businesses favoring cheques, limited digital acceptance, and MFS largely confined to small-value transfers.
Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce market is expected to triple to $708.7 billion by 2033, driven by Vision 2030, 99% smartphone penetration, and mobile-first consumer behaviour. Growth in digital payments, Q-commerce, omnichannel retail, and AI personalisation is reshaping how Saudis shop, while logistics and fraud prevention remain key challenges.
Yango Ads has launched CPI Plus campaigns in the UAE, offering machine-learning-driven app install optimisation with pay-per-install pricing and full-funnel analytics. The solution supports scalable, predictable mobile user acquisition as the UAE’s mobile-first digital economy continues to expand.
Bahrain’s Digital Economy Steering Committee reviewed progress on the National Digital Economy Strategy, highlighting completed initiatives, improved coordination, and strong gains in innovation, STEM education, and cybersecurity. The strategy is reinforcing digital governance and service efficiency while strengthening Bahrain’s position as a competitive digital economy.
Egypt’s digital exports surged to $7.4 billion in 2025, driven by strong ICT growth, expanding outsourcing services, and major gains in digital skills and public platforms. Investments in infrastructure, AI-enabled services, and telecom upgrades have reinforced the country’s role as an emerging hub in global digital trade.
Lenovo and Enactus Morocco are hosting a national gaming hackathon in Casablanca to encourage youth to develop game-based solutions for education and social impact. The initiative taps into Morocco’s rapidly growing gaming sector, positioning video games as tools for innovation, skills development, and social entrepreneurship.