Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Africa’s telecom growth is driven by a young population and increasing digital demand. Key players like MTN South Africa, Vodacom, and MTN Nigeria lead in subscribers and innovation, while companies such as Safaricom and Maroc Telecom drive digital finance and 5G expansion. The continent’s telecom landscape remains dynamic and pivotal to Africa’s digital future.
Zain KSA and Cisco have partnered to build scalable AI infrastructure and GPUaaS offerings in Saudi Arabia. The initiative supports AI adoption, local talent development, and aligns with Vision 2030’s digital transformation goals to establish the country as a hub for AI and advanced technologies.
NEC and Singtel-led partners are building the AUG East subsea cable to connect major Asian markets with high-capacity digital infrastructure. This project addresses the rising demand for bandwidth driven by AI applications and aims to strengthen digital connectivity and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region by 2029.
MTN and MTV Base launch Room of Safety, a 10-part youth-led series on child online safety, to raise awareness and promote positive digital behaviour across Africa.
Sri Lanka’s 9th Cyber Security Summit stressed the critical need for comprehensive PDPA compliance, data protection culture, and coordinated breach response, highlighting legal frameworks, industry challenges, and practical solutions for sustainable digital trust.
Uber launched a “Women Drivers” option in Saudi Arabia, enabling female passengers to request female drivers, enhancing safety and supporting women’s economic participation amid ongoing social reforms.
Qatar’s MCIT highlighted its national digital priorities and AI initiatives at WSIS+20 Forum 2025, reinforcing its role in global digital cooperation and promoting inclusive, knowledge-driven digital societies.
Zong launched its locally hosted enterprise cloud platform, Z SAIS Cloud, in Karachi, establishing strategic partnerships and emphasizing cloud sovereignty as Pakistan accelerates toward a digital-first economy with scalable, secure infrastructure.
Communications spending in MEA surged to $149 billion in 2024, driven by mobile data demand and major telecom infrastructure investments, with continued growth expected amid evolving digital transformation and operator rebranding as technology companies.
Jordan advanced ten projects in June spanning digital public engagement, airport automation, telecom regulation, and cybersecurity education, reinforcing the nation’s digital economy and security frameworks.