Rwanda has committed to supporting the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation to boost digital development. Minister Paula Ingabire emphasized the initiative’s goal to transform the innovation landscape by establishing hubs and unlocking venture capital, fostering an environment for young talent to thrive and innovate.
Omantel CEO Talal bin Said al Mamari announced major investments in innovation and digital economy, including new submarine cables and an AI academy. Global partnerships aim to enhance cloud computing and AI capabilities, supporting Omantel’s growth and Omanisation goals.
Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Prize for Scientific Innovation promotes global food security by supporting research and innovation in arid regions. Launched by KACST and Almarai, the prize addresses water shortages and enhances sustainable food security.
Orange Jordan is offering 13 free training courses on Coursera for young people in Jordan, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship, as part of a wider initiative to promote digital learning and community empowerment.
Orange Jordan has launched a digital inclusion catalogue on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, part of its “Differently Abled, Definitely Enabled” initiative. The catalogue provides a comprehensive guide to services and privileges for persons with disabilities, including sign language translation and text-to-voice features, aiming to enhance digital inclusion and accessibility.
Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of Yahsat, has launched IP NEO, a next-generation satellite communication product. Developed with Cobham Satcom, IP NEO offers advanced voice and data capabilities, tailored to diverse industry needs. Officially unveiling at Critical Comms World Dubai, the product highlights Thuraya’s commitment to technological advancement in satellite communications.
Dubai’s du and HPE have partnered with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) to implement HPE GreenLake, enhancing CBD’s hybrid cloud capabilities. Hosted in du’s Tier III data centres, this solution aims to improve IT efficiency, security, and customer experience while supporting CBD’s five-year strategic digital transformation plan.
UAE’s Yahsat has restored Thuraya satellite services in parts of Southeast Asia and China by reconfiguring its Thuraya 2 satellite after Thuraya 3 experienced an anomaly. However, service remains unavailable in the Asia-Pacific region east of Thuraya 2’s footprint.
Fils, a UAE-based digital infrastructure provider, has teamed up with Arab Financial Services (AFS) to promote sustainable practices and climate action across the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership leverages Fils’ fintech technology and AFS’s digital payments expertise to integrate sustainability into business operations, financial transactions, and customer journeys.
Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce market is set to reach $14.78 billion this year and $25 billion by 2029. WebCastle Technologies, recently entering the Saudi market, won the Best E-Commerce Agency Award at the 6th Middle East Retail & E-Commerce Summit and Awards KSA for their role in accelerating digital growth.
