Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
At the 8th REFRAM conference, HACA President Latifa Akharbach emphasized the need for digital platforms to take accountability for content moderation and user protection. She expressed concern over relaxed rules, particularly affecting African users, and called for greater commitment to fighting disinformation. A leadership transition marked the conference’s conclusion.
X, formerly known as Twitter, is preparing to launch its payments service, X Money, with Visa as its first partner. The service will support secure, instant funding of X Wallets and enable peer-to-peer payments. This move aligns with X’s goal to become an “everything app.”
Bahrain has partnered with Wego to promote its cultural and modern attractions, highlighting landmarks like Qal’at al-Bahrain and the Bahrain International Circuit. The collaboration focuses on digital innovations, sustainable tourism, and luxury investments, positioning Bahrain as a dynamic and forward-thinking destination for global travelers.
ADGM has launched its all-in-one mobile app, designed to improve connectivity and engagement within Abu Dhabi’s financial district. The app provides real-time regulatory updates, networking features, and services for both businesses and residents, underscoring ADGM’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the region.
Zoho’s Zoholics conference in Sri Lanka highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting the country’s Digital Sri Lanka 2030 strategy. Through its cloud-powered solutions, Zoho is helping businesses across sectors achieve digital transformation, with significant year-over-year growth. The event featured solutions across Sales, Marketing, HR, and Developer tools.
Visa’s research reveals that 25% of transactions in Oman are still made in cash, with P2P transactions and everyday spending being the main areas for cash usage. Despite this, Visa sees an opportunity to promote digital payments through secure solutions, supporting Oman’s move towards a cashless economy.
PTCL has partnered with PayFast to launch a WhatsApp-based bill payment solution, enabling customers to view and pay bills seamlessly through WhatsApp. This initiative is part of PTCL’s digital transformation strategy, offering enhanced customer convenience and advancing digital payment options across Pakistan’s telecom sector.
Intel’s Christoph Schell discussed Saudi Arabia’s progress in digital transformation at the WEF, emphasizing the country’s growing demand for custom technology solutions and the importance of AI with cultural relevance. The partnership with Aramco Digital and other tech advancements contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Qatar’s digital transformation market is set to grow rapidly, with an expected market size of $9.19bn by 2025, reaching $19.65bn by 2030. The government’s strategic initiatives, including smart city projects and AI technologies, are driving the country’s ambitions to become a global leader in digital innovation.
Smart Cell has launched a new Smart Centre in Kathmandu to improve customer service and provide detailed information about its products and services. The company plans to expand further with more centres, continuing its growth as Nepal’s third-largest telecom provider.