Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ethio Telecom and ZTE deployed a gigabit FTTR all-optical network at GERD’s office, improving connectivity and reducing costs. The solution enhances network management and supports Ethiopia’s digital transformation as GERD nears completion amid regional water concerns.
Zain Omantel International, Horizon Scope Telecom, and ITPC collaborate to build a terrestrial fibre corridor from the Middle East to Europe via Iraq, enhancing connectivity, security, and capacity. The route provides a reliable alternative to subsea cables, supporting regional digital transformation and economic growth.
Starlink is expanding its Bangladesh operations through partnerships with Fibre@Home and others, developing ground stations and data centres while launching a reseller program targeting enterprise and government sectors. The initiative aims to accelerate broadband access, backed by regulatory support for bandwidth importation.
EBRD and Banque Misr provide $80 million loan to Orange Egypt for 5G rollout, enhancing network speed and sustainability with a 1.7 million tonne CO2 reduction. This supports Egypt’s digital transformation and economic growth, highlighting a strong international partnership in the telecom sector.
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.