Zain Group celebrated the success of Zain Esports in 2024, hosting 50 tournaments across the Middle East. With 820,000 unique viewers and a growing social media presence, Zain continues to strengthen its esports ecosystem, focusing on expanding gaming initiatives and competitions in 2025 and beyond.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy has launched a program to digitize all payments to government institutions, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce fraud. The GovPay app is already connected to 16 institutions, with more expected to join by January 2025, streamlining processes and eliminating inefficiencies and corruption.
The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has partnered with Amazon to enhance the cultural and technological experience at Diriyah’s historical sites. The collaboration will incorporate Amazon Alexa to expand cultural content, offering visitors a more engaging experience and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage through modern technology.
Algeria is set to accelerate its digital transformation with the launch of over 500 projects by 2026, focusing on modernizing public services. These initiatives align with the “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy, aiming to enhance e-governance and improve access to services, positioning Algeria as a regional digital leader.
The Content Player Awards (CPA) will launch in April 2025 to celebrate and advance digital content in the Middle East. The event, a collaboration between Tayarah, Ievents, and DigiSay Group, will feature interactive workshops and culminate in an awards ceremony honoring top content creators, brands, and influencers.
The Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has completed a major upgrade to Studio A, Saudi One’s primary studio, incorporating Grass Valley’s advanced broadcast technology. This modernization supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, focusing on innovation and cultural preservation. The upgrades aim to set a new benchmark for media excellence in the region.
Google Wallet is set to launch in Pakistan by January 2025, alongside Egypt and Venezuela, expanding Google’s digital payment ecosystem. The launch is expected to complement existing platforms like Easypaisa and JazzCash, driving competition in the market. New updates to the Wallet ecosystem are also expected to enhance user experience.
North Africa is experiencing a digital revolution, with technology driving innovation across sectors like fintech, healthcare, and education. Youth-led initiatives are championing change, while challenges such as digital divides and gender gaps remain. The region is advancing toward sustainable development through digital transformation, boosting equity and resilience.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications, Amr Talaat, met with World Bank Vice President Sangboo Kim to strengthen cooperation on digital transformation. Discussions focused on enhancing digital infrastructure, skills, and awareness, aligning with Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy. Future collaborations include expanding submarine cables and nationwide internet services to promote digital inclusion.
Qi has launched SuperQi, a third-generation app aimed at transforming Iraq’s digital payments landscape. The app, developed in collaboration with Ant International, combines digital banking with lifestyle services, offering users secure payment solutions, money transfers, bill payments, and more. Qi’s goal is to enable financial inclusion and drive economic growth.
