Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Telecom Egypt and SubCom have completed two strategic landings of the SEA-ME-WE-6 subsea cable on Egypt’s Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, linked by resilient terrestrial routes. This cable, spanning over 21,700 km and designed for 126 Tbps capacity, will connect Southeast Asia to Europe with multiple landing points and is set to be ready in early 2026.
Qatar’s Ooredoo and the UAE’s du have launched sovereign AI cloud services hosted locally to provide secure, low-latency access to advanced AI computing power. Ooredoo’s platform, powered by Nvidia Hopper GPUs, and du’s “National Hypercloud,” built on Oracle Alloy infrastructure, aim to accelerate AI adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare, and smart cities. These sovereign clouds enable compliance with national data policies while fostering innovation among governments, startups, and enterprises.
Zain KSA and Huawei launched the Riyadh Antenna Platform, featuring a compact cylindrical design that reduces wind load and integrates multiple antenna arrays for improved coverage. Backed by recent spectrum acquisition, the platform enhances network efficiency and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation goals.
Pakistan’s telecom sector reported a nearly 38% rise in data usage over three years, driven by broadband growth and increased digital activity. Broadband subscribers reached 150 million with 60.8% penetration, while overall telecom subscribers hit 200 million. Despite infrastructure expansion and user growth, sector revenues declined nearly 16% in 2024-25.
Oman and Belarus signed three MoUs to advance cooperation in automotive manufacturing and smart technologies. Agreements between Karwa Motors, Amkodor, and MAZ focus on vehicle production and technology transfer, while ONEIC and Delivery Software will collaborate on ICT, AI, and fintech solutions to drive digital transformation in Oman and the region.
Starlink has officially launched its high-speed satellite internet service in Sri Lanka following regulatory approval. The service offers faster connectivity and broader coverage, including remote areas, marking Sri Lanka as the third South Asian country with Starlink access. The launch is part of Starlink’s global expansion, providing reliable internet through its extensive satellite constellation.
ICP Hub Egypt has launched a groundbreaking initiative allowing Egyptian developers to build decentralized applications on the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) while paying fees in local currency. Supported by Mercatura Forum, the hub invites developers to join the World Computer Hacker League 2025—a global hackathon offering $300,000+ in prizes. ICP uniquely enables AI on-chain, sovereign internet infrastructure, and enhanced privacy, positioning Egypt at the forefront of Web3 innovation.
Orange Egypt has launched 5G services across key governorates, responding to the surging demand for faster internet driven by digital learning, remote work, and content streaming. With a 15-year license secured in 2024, Orange’s 5G rollout promises faster speeds, higher capacity, and enhanced connectivity, supporting Egypt’s digital transformation and positioning the company as a regional technology leader.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed highlighted the critical role of SMEs in Bangladesh’s economy, urging enhanced financial access, expanded technological use, and stronger global market integration. He called for reforms in financing approaches, digital data infrastructure for SMEs, and greater export diversification. Salehuddin also emphasized women’s workforce participation through SMEs and advocated transparency in SME development organizations. He attributed the smaller national budget to reduced waste in government spending.
Telecom Egypt and SubCom’s successful dual landings in Egypt bolster the SEA-ME-WE-6 subsea cable’s capacity and resilience, reinforcing a vital telecom corridor linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.