Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
ABC Labs has been named among Global Finance’s World’s Best Financial Innovation Labs for the fourth time. The recognition reflects Bank ABC’s leadership in AI, automation, digital onboarding, and tokenised assets, delivering measurable gains in productivity, customer experience, and time-to-market across its regional and global operations.
Omantel has invested over RO 500 million in digital infrastructure over six years, expanding from a telecom operator into a regional technology group. The company’s 5G leadership, submarine cable connectivity, and national data centres are positioning Oman as a regional digital hub and strengthening its digital sovereignty.
Airtel Africa increased cumulative share buybacks to 40.93 million shares under its $100 million programme, reinforcing capital returns to shareholders. The cancelled shares reduce voting rights and support per-share metrics, reflecting management confidence while sustaining investment across the group’s African operations.
Sudatel Telecom Group posted a net profit of $71.08 million in the first nine months of 2025, reversing losses recorded a year earlier. Revenues rose to nearly $328 million, while the company also returned to profitability in the third quarter, reflecting a strong financial turnaround.
Nepal Telecom has announced a 30% cash dividend, including tax, from last fiscal year’s profits. The payout will be approved at the company’s annual general meeting on January 14, 2026, with the book closure date set for January 4, maintaining last year’s dividend level.
Egyptian life sciences startup Nawah Scientific has raised $23 million in Series A funding to expand its digital testing platform. The round will support a new global R&D center, increased lab capacity in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and expansion across North Africa and Europe.
VOLZ has secured $5 million in a Series A round, the largest local-currency funding raise ever achieved by an Algerian startup. Announced at the African Startup Conference in Algiers, the deal marks a milestone for the national startup ecosystem and supports VOLZ’s mission to simplify travel through local-currency payments and flexible booking options.
Telecom Egypt has approved its 2026 budget with guidance pointing to high single-digit revenue growth and EBITDA margins in the low forties. Supported by disciplined capital investment and strong cash generation, the plan builds on a sharp rise in 2025 profits and focuses on network strength, service quality, and long-term value creation.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Finance delegation visited the UAE to advance a financial cooperation agreement and explore the adoption of digital financial solutions. The UAE Ministry of Finance showcased global best practices in data-driven public finance management, digital tax systems, PPP models, treasury and contracting platforms, and electronic financial controls. Azerbaijan aims to apply these tools to modernize its public finance operations.
Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector generated nearly $21.5 billion in revenues in the first nine months of 2025, with profits rising 5.72% as digital adoption surged. stc accounted for 80% of total sector profits, while Mobily and Zain KSA delivered strong growth. Demand for 5G, cloud services, IoT and AI continues to drive expansion, supported by Vision 2030’s digital transformation agenda.