Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
SIM card registration in Afghanistan has reached 90 percent coverage, improving security, reducing crime and harassment, and limiting misuse of mobile services. With accountability in place and infrastructure expanding, the policy strengthens social order, public trust, and responsible communication while supporting better monitoring and regulation of the telecom sector.
Granite has received an FRA fintech licence to launch Egypt’s first fully digital money market account. The mobile-first platform enables instant onboarding, daily returns, and full liquidity without lock-ins, targeting individuals and businesses managing idle cash. The move places Granite at the forefront of digital asset management in Egypt.
The PTA has launched a new facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to protect their SIM cards during long stays abroad. By coordinating with operators and meeting basic usage or payment requirements, subscribers can retain their numbers. The authority also warned against scams and urged responsible SIM ownership.
Nepal Telecom has warned VAS providers against sending offensive SMS that threaten social, religious, or political harmony. The operator said strict action will follow any violations and reaffirmed that it does not share subscriber data, responding to public concern over misuse of bulk messaging platforms.
Morocco has renewed satellite communication licenses for nine operators, covering VSAT, GMPCS, and frequency-sharing services. Backed by ANRT, the move reinforces satellite connectivity as core infrastructure and positions Morocco among Africa’s leading space actors, supporting communications, environmental monitoring, security, and rural connectivity across the country.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has warned multiple broadband providers, including PTCL and Net Cloud Telecom, after a Q4 2025 survey revealed widespread issues with latency, jitter, and network reliability. While minimum speeds are met, weak routing, core failures, and peak-hour congestion continue to disrupt video calls, gaming, and international access.
Lebanon’s Cabinet is reviewing a plan to relaunch international tenders for managing its two public mobile networks, shifting toward a hybrid model that blends state ownership with private operation. The move aims to improve performance, restore competitiveness, and attract investment while avoiding full privatisation of national telecom assets.
Morocco has launched the JAZARI ROOT Institute as the national hub for artificial intelligence under its Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. The initiative establishes a sovereign, regionally distributed AI network to modernize public services, align research with real-world needs, and build national skills and technological independence.
Nigeria’s telecom regulator has engaged PwC to conduct its first industry-wide competition review since 2013, amid concerns over market dominance and sustainability. The study will assess structural shifts, new technologies, and barriers to entry, as the sector faces ARPU decline, MVNO fragility, and intensifying digital competition.
Qatar has opened a public consultation on revising spectrum fees, introducing new pricing for emerging services such as direct-to-device satellite connectivity and extending fee frameworks above 40 GHz. The move signals a shift toward benchmarking satellite pricing against mobile spectrum, positioning Qatar as a forward-looking regulator shaping future satellite and 6G markets.