Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
AFR-IX Telecom has secured USTDA funding to study extending the Medusa subsea cable to West Africa. The project aims to enhance Africa’s digital connectivity, enabling secure bandwidth for AI, 6G, and quantum technologies, while strengthening US-African cooperation against untrusted infrastructure providers.
Avanz Capital Egypt has joined Algebra Ventures’ second fund as a Limited Partner via a landmark secondary transaction, underscoring confidence in Egypt’s VC ecosystem. The partnership strengthens support for tech startups in Egypt and Africa, enabling greater capital inflows and deeper collaboration to fuel entrepreneurial growth.
e& delivered robust H1 2025 results with revenue of AED 34.9 billion (+23.3% YoY) and net profit of AED 8.8 billion (+60.7% YoY). Strong operational milestones, global acquisitions, AI and 5G innovation, and strategic partnerships reinforced its position as a global technology leader driving digital transformation.
Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have slowed internet access across Asia and the Middle East, with Microsoft and NetBlocks confirming widespread impact. Key subsea systems SEA-ME-WE 4 and IMEWE are affected, disrupting regional connectivity while global traffic outside the Middle East remains unaffected.
Telecom operator du has enabled emergency calling on 5G smartwatches across the UAE, allowing users to dial 999 directly from their wrist without needing a phone. The feature enhances safety for children, seniors, and fitness enthusiasts, marking a major step in integrating wearables into community protection.
Zong and ZTE have commercially launched the world’s first 480W high-power FDD Massive MIMO solution in Pakistan, boosting network capacity by 140%+ and user experience by 270%+. The dual-mode system supports 3G and 4G bands while preparing for next-generation evolution and AI-driven large-scale deployment.
CMPak and Huawei have launched the Card-UEN Simplified Private Network Solution in Pakistan, cutting deployment costs and space while enabling 4G/5G convergence and intelligent connectivity. The solution supports Digital Pakistan 2030 and positions Pakistan as a regional leader in industrial digital transformation.
Ooredoo Kuwait has modernized its digital platforms with Liferay’s DXP, unifying web, mobile, and commerce services under a single architecture. The transformation enhances personalization, scalability, and customer engagement for over three million users, strengthening Ooredoo’s position as a leader in digital innovation across the region.
Zimbabwe’s telecom sector recorded major Q2 2025 gains, with revenues up 9.24%, costs down 5.47%, and capital expenditure surging 261%. Data services dominated with nearly 48% of revenues, supported by a rapid 5G and LTE rollout, while traditional voice services continued to decline due to OTT alternatives.
Telecom Egypt has launched a new point of presence at Jordan’s Aqaba Digital Hub, strengthening regional interconnection just weeks after completing the Coral Bridge subsea cable to Jordan. Together, the PoP and cable expand high-capacity routes to support cloud, AI, and international data traffic across the Middle East.