Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
stc Bahrain has partnered with CFI to deliver secure, resilient ICT infrastructure for financial operations. The agreement introduces high-availability networks, next-generation security, and smart resilience systems, strengthening regulatory compliance, service continuity, and data protection while supporting Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and ambitions as a regional financial hub.
Zong has partnered with ZTE to introduce affordable 5G smartphones in Pakistan ahead of the February spectrum auction. The initiative includes entry-level and gaming devices, bundled plans, and BNPL schemes, aiming to boost readiness for 5G adoption as operators prepare for heavy investment and rollout obligations.
Nepal Telecom has approved a Rs 30 per share cash dividend from its FY2024/25 profits. The company posted Rs 3.819bn in revenue and Rs 600m in profit, with management signaling potential bonus shares ahead, as it prepares for capital needs tied to the MEGA project and rising data demand.
BSNL and Viasat are upgrading the Indian Navy’s satellite communications using a hybrid L-band and Ka-band architecture. The project enables a multi-band, multi-constellation strategy, delivering higher throughput, expanded coverage, and resilient, mission-critical connectivity for naval platforms, with installation beginning this month.
Omantel has completed Oman’s transition to a full 5G Standalone network, enabling ultra-low latency, network slicing, and advanced IoT services. The seamless upgrade unlocks new enterprise and consumer use cases, from private networks to smarter industry, positioning Oman to compete as a regional digital hub.
Pakistan’s upcoming spectrum auction could release 600 MHz of new capacity, addressing structural limits that hinder internet quality. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim calls it a once-in-a-decade opportunity to deliver faster, affordable connectivity, bridge the digital divide, and enable a digitally driven economy across education, healthcare, and enterprise.
Nepal Telecom has declared a Rs 30 per share cash dividend for FY 2024/25, backed by Rs 3.819 billion in revenue and Rs 600 million in profit. The operator plans to enhance data services and may issue bonus shares as it advances major network projects and capital expansion.
Al-Futtaim Appoints Tarek Tantawy as CEO of Egypt Operations to Drive Strategic Growth
Al-Futtaim has announced the appointment of Tarek Tantawy as Chief Executive Officer of Al-Futtaim Egypt, effective January 15, 2026, marking a strategic evolution in the Group’s operating model in one of its priority growth markets.
The appointment establishes a single country CEO structure for Egypt, aligning strategy, capital allocation, and operational priorities across the portfolio to ensure the Group operates as One Al-Futtaim. The role is designed to deliver consistent execution, strengthen collaboration across business units, and deepen engagement with customers, partners, and national stakeholders.
“I am honoured to join Al-Futtaim at a pivotal moment for its Egypt operations,” Tantawy said. “Egypt represents a long-term growth engine for the Group, with scale, complexity, and opportunity across multiple sectors. Aligning our businesses behind a clear country strategy and strengthening execution discipline will be essential to unlocking value through collaboration across the portfolio.”
David Henderson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Al-Futtaim, said the appointment reinforces portfolio-level accountability and enables disciplined capital deployment as the Group’s footprint in Egypt continues to expand.
Tantawy brings more than 27 years of leadership experience across strategy, operations, finance, and executive management. Most recently, he served as Group Co-CEO and Managing Director at Palm Hills Developments. He previously held senior leadership roles including CEO and Managing Director at Telecom Egypt, Group Co-CEO at CI Capital Holding, and CFO at IDJ-Beyti, alongside multiple board appointments across financial services, telecommunications, education, real estate, and FMCG.
Al-Futtaim has operated in Egypt for over four decades and today maintains a diversified presence across real estate, retail, automotive, and insurance. The Group’s footprint includes Cairo Festival City and its mall, alongside recent expansion into premium education through a partnership with Dwight Schools and the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation.
The appointment signals a sharpened focus on scale, governance, and long-term value creation in Egypt, positioning the Group for its next phase of growth in the market.
A seminar at FBA explored how Bangladesh’s telecom sector drives economic growth. Grameenphone’s Mohammed Kayum Sarker shared insights on taxation, pricing misconceptions, and the industry’s GDP contribution, giving accounting students real-world context on the financial dynamics shaping national development.
e& enterprise has partnered with Sergas to modernise energy operations through cybersecurity, AI-driven customer service, and intelligent communications. The collaboration introduces a next-generation SOC, omnichannel engagement, and automation, enabling Sergas to improve resilience, efficiency, and customer experience while embedding digital intelligence across its operations.