Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The GSMA has launched two transformative initiatives with leading African mobile operators — one to make 4G smartphones more affordable and another to strengthen Africa’s homegrown AI ecosystem through localized language models.
Gulf Bridge International (GBI) has partnered with Nokia to deploy a next-generation optical network across the Middle East, using a new terrestrial route through Iraq to link Europe, Asia, and the Gulf. The system will deliver 50Tbps capacity with 100G–400G services, improving regional resilience and supporting the region’s growing cloud and digital economy.
ZTE and e& signed two major MoUs at GITEX Global 2025 to co-develop 5G private networks for smart cities and advance renewable energy innovation. The partnership supports UAE’s sustainability vision through AI-driven telecom infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, and next-generation connectivity across industries.
Jazz and DynaSys Networks have launched Pakistan’s first city-wide LoRaWAN network in Lahore, marking a major step toward smart city development. The network enables scalable IoT solutions across sectors like agriculture, industry, and urban planning. Fully compliant with PTA’s IoT framework and hosted locally, the system ensures secure, sustainable connectivity as part of Pakistan’s broader digital transformation.
PTCL Group recorded a 15% year-on-year revenue increase for the first nine months of 2025, driven by strong broadband, mobile data, and enterprise growth. PTCL’s standalone revenue rose 13%, Ufone 4G achieved 15% growth, and Ubank reported 19%. Despite a Rs 1.2 billion net loss due to a pension liability adjustment, the Group’s operating profit surged 57% to Rs 12.9 billion, reflecting continued strength across all business units.
Rabat — October 21, 2025: Maroc Telecom has successfully raised 3 billion dirhams through its first private bond issuance on the Moroccan market, marking a significant step in its ongoing financial optimization and digital transformation strategy.
Kuwait — October 2025: The Board of TASC Towers Holding (“TASC”) has appointed Kamil Hilali as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding founder Iyad Mazhar, who will remain a shareholder and board member to continue supporting the company’s strategic growth.
Etihad Salam has partnered with AFR-IX Telecom to connect Saudi Arabia to the Medusa Submarine Cable System via Aqaba, Jordan. The deal establishes Saudi Arabia as a key interconnection hub between Europe, Africa, and Asia, enhancing digital capacity and supporting Vision 2030 goals. The 8,760 km Medusa cable delivers up to 480 Tbps of bandwidth, enabling faster, more resilient data transfer across continents.
du and DE-CIX have achieved a record 1 Tbit/s traffic milestone on UAE-IX, the Middle East’s largest Internet Exchange. Hosted on du’s datamena platform, the IX connects over 110 networks and drives regional data efficiency by keeping traffic local. The achievement, announced at GITEX Global 2025, underscores UAE-IX’s growing role as a digital backbone for the UAE and wider Middle East, supporting innovation, cybersecurity, and cloud-driven transformation.
Algerian media have commended Vietnam’s leadership in global cybersecurity as the country prepares to host the signing of the Hanoi Convention — the first global treaty against cybercrime. Co-led by Vietnam and Algeria, the convention unites nearly 100 nations under a framework that criminalizes cyberattacks and strengthens international judicial cooperation. The agreement underscores respect for sovereignty, human rights, and digital trust, positioning Hanoi as a new center for international digital diplomacy.