Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
In 2024, Pakistan’s PTA and NTSOC successfully blocked thousands of phishing sites and malicious apps, processed thousands of cyber threat indicators, and identified hundreds of credential leaks. Enhanced coordination with ISPs and a new intelligence-sharing system between sectors strengthened the country’s telecom cybersecurity defenses throughout the year.
Kuwait launches 5G Advanced technology with speeds up to 3 Gbps and low latency, positioning itself as a regional leader and preparing for 6G. CITRA supports a regulatory environment to foster digital infrastructure investment.
The OECD report underscores fintech’s transformative role in Egypt’s SME sector, highlighting regulatory advances, digital inclusion, and ongoing challenges. It calls for strengthened infrastructure, literacy, and collaborative innovation to sustain fintech’s growth and impact.
ISPAB has proposed fixing minimum internet prices, active sharing, and ISPs’ control over customer connections to protect domestic entrepreneurs, presenting these at a TRNB workshop on Bangladesh’s draft telecom reform policy.
Minister Mustafa Jabbar announced that 28 hi-tech parks outside Dhaka will create over 300,000 jobs in coming years. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi alone will provide 14,000 jobs, boosting the local economy and advancing Digital Bangladesh goals through expanded tech industries and foreign collaboration.
Qatar’s CRA and Brazil’s ANATEL signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in radio spectrum management, including satellite monitoring, training, and international coordination, strengthening ICT ties and advancing radiocommunication innovation.
Nepal’s Communications Minister outlined ambitious plans positioning the next decade as the IT decade, focusing on expanding digital infrastructure, AI policy development, cybersecurity, media support, and integrating government services digitally to foster socio-economic progress and improved citizen access.
Morocco’s telecom regulator has approved joint ventures between Maroc Telecom and Inwi for fiber optic and tower infrastructure sharing. The move aims to boost FTTH coverage and rationalize network deployment while enforcing strict competition safeguards.
Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority, in partnership with RIPE NCC, Cisco, and Huawei, launched an initiative to raise digital literacy and awareness on emerging technologies like IoT, AI, and 5G. The program aligns with Qatar Vision 2030 and targets students, professionals, and tech enthusiasts.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator BTRC halted Citycell’s transmission after the operator failed to pay Tk. 4.95 crore in government debts. Despite a court-granted extension, the company couldn’t settle dues, prompting enforcement alongside security agencies to stop operations at Citycell’s Mohakhali headquarters.