Egypt led North Africa’s smartphone market in Q1 2025 with 34% growth, while Africa’s overall shipments rose 6%. South Africa and Algeria showed strong gains, though Nigeria’s market contracted. Brands like Samsung and Xiaomi drove growth amid economic challenges and cautious consumer spending.
Zain KSA has finalized preparations for Hajj 1446H with an AI-driven 5G network and expanded field teams, including 50% women representatives. Enhanced multilingual support, increased points of sale, and 24/7 booths ensure pilgrims receive seamless connectivity and assistance across all holy sites.
Algeria Telecom has launched an online survey to identify areas lacking fibre connectivity ahead of its 2026 FTTH expansion. With over 2 million subscribers, fibre still covers only 27% of households. The survey will help prioritize network growth based on citizen feedback and regional needs.
Alghanim Industries partners with SpaceX Starlink to become a global reseller, launching Sama X to deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite internet across MENA, India, and beyond. This collaboration aims to break connectivity barriers and drive digital inclusion in sectors like education, healthcare, maritime, and telecommunications.
Vodafone Qatar teams up with Nokia to modernize its nationwide network, enhancing 5G speed, security, and flexibility. This collaboration supports Qatar’s digital growth, enabling advanced services like 5G slicing and automation, aligning with the country’s vision for a smarter, more connected future.
PTCL Group upgrades IT core routing with Cisco solutions, enhancing network efficiency, customer experience, and operational agility through strategic collaboration with NETS International.
Bangladesh’s IGW Operators Forum criticizes the new telecom licensing framework, warning it favors foreign players and risks local firms’ survival. The forum calls for protecting local investments, restoring SMS routing rights to local operators, and resisting foreign oligopoly amid evolving market dynamics.
Vodafone Oman has surpassed one million 5G users, supported by the fastest network rollout in the country’s history with over 98% population coverage. The milestone reflects customer trust and Vodafone’s commitment to powering Oman’s digital future with reliable, advanced connectivity.
e& UAE’s new whitepaper outlines a visionary 6G roadmap emphasizing AI-native networks, integrated sensing, quantum security, and non-terrestrial coverage. Building on 5G success, it aims to power smart cities, autonomous mobility, and Industry 4.0, positioning the UAE as a leader in the future of intelligent, secure connectivity.
Bahrain grants Malaysia full sovereignty over subscriber data hosted in its cloud centers, strengthening bilateral digital cooperation. The move highlights Bahrain’s robust legal and technical framework for cloud services, affirming its role as a trusted regional digital hub committed to data sovereignty and privacy.
