Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt’s ICT sector is expanding rapidly, growing 16% annually and contributing 5.8% to GDP. With over 145,000 outsourcing jobs, 8M Digital Egypt users, and a 25-fold increase in training budgets, the government is prioritising innovation, AI, and digital entrepreneurship to attract global investment.
Africa’s smartphone shipments rose 7% in Q2 2025 to 19.2M units, led by Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. Sub-$100 smartphones soared 38%, reshaping demand. Transsion held 51% market share, followed by Samsung and Xiaomi. Rural markets and fintech-driven services are emerging as key growth drivers.
Madari Space, an Abu Dhabi startup, will launch its first orbital data centre mission in Q3 2026 with UAE and UN partners. Positioned as a sustainable alternative to Earth-based data centres, the initiative aims to serve Earth observation operators, reduce carbon emissions, and prepare for the future cislunar economy.
Pakistan will lay three new submarine internet cables in 2025, adding 200 Tbps of bandwidth and reducing dependence on older systems. The upgrade, aligned with spectrum expansion for 5G, aims to stabilize connectivity, support digital growth, and narrow the digital divide for over 200M internet users.
OnMobile and Vodafone Qatar have launched Buzzmo, an AI-powered, telco-centric communication platform that enables real-time personalization and omnichannel engagement. Serving 800+ enterprises, Buzzmo enhances customer experience, accelerates campaign delivery, and strengthens Vodafone Qatar’s enterprise leadership in the region’s digital economy.
Pakistan will install three new submarine cables and double mobile internet spectrum to boost connectivity, expand 5G readiness, and reduce reliance on existing systems. With 200M mobile users and rising digital adoption, the upgrades aim to support innovation, inclusion, and resilience against costly internet disruptions.
Kuwait has become one of the first countries worldwide to complete a nationwide 5G Advanced rollout, with Huawei and Knetco deploying the technology for Ooredoo, Zain, and stc. The upgrade strengthens Vision 2035 goals, supports smart city and industrial applications, and lays the foundation for Kuwait’s future 6G journey.
Orange SA has suffered a ransomware attack linked to Warlock, with hackers leaking 4GB of business user data. The company says the stolen information was outdated and of low sensitivity but admitted multiple breaches this year across its European operations.
Exabeam’s global survey shows insider threats now surpass external attacks as the biggest cybersecurity challenge, with AI accelerating their effectiveness. Middle Eastern professionals cite unauthorized GenAI usage as their top insider risk, highlighting the urgent need for AI-aware security strategies.
Nepal imported goods worth 341.1B rupees from China in FY 2024–25, with telecom equipment, garments, machinery, textiles, and electrical goods topping the list. Smartphones made up the bulk of telecom imports, while the five categories represented 37% of total imports from China.