Saudi Arabia saw a 14% annual increase in expatriate remittances in April, totaling SR11.35 billion. Payments from Saudis also rose by 30%, reaching SR4.94 billion. This growth is driven by new development projects, improved economic conditions, digitalization, and supportive regulatory reforms, enhancing the ease of doing business.
Sri Lanka’s computer literacy has increased to 39% in 2023, with digital literacy at 63.5%, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. Household computer ownership is at 20.2%, with urban areas showing higher rates of both computer and digital skills compared to rural and estate sectors.
Smartphone shipments in Africa have surpassed feature phones, with a 17.9% increase in Q1 2024, reaching 20.2 million units. This growth, driven by South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, is led by Chinese brands and mid-range models. IDC predicts continued growth despite short-term economic uncertainties.
Aramco Digital, the subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, has received a Specialized Radio Network Licence in the 450MHz band from the Saudi CST. This license will facilitate a dedicated network for industrial sectors, advancing digital transformation and enabling IIoT applications, as announced by CEO Tareq Amin.
IT spending in the MENA region is projected to reach $193.7 billion in 2024, a 5.2% increase from 2023. Growth is driven by IT services, while data centre investments decline. GenAI’s immediate impact is limited, but cloud services spending is set to rise, with a focus on cost-effective use cases.
Vodafone Qatar offers Voice and Mobile Broadband (MBB) plan customers who sign up for Auto-Pay a chance to win a QR5,000 voucher. The Auto-Pay service ensures automatic bill payments, providing convenience and security. Customers also receive 5GB extra data with each bill payment.
Yahsat awarded a $1.1 billion contract to Airbus to build geostationary satellites Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5, launching in 2027 and 2028. These satellites will enhance UAE’s satellite communications and support digital transformation. Airbus will design, manufacture, and provide ground control components.
Tunisia plans to launch 5G by November 2024, leveraging South Korea’s expertise. This initiative aims to accelerate digital transformation across sectors like agriculture, education, and transport, aligning with Tunisia’s National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025. The launch will facilitate smart technologies and enhance digital services.
Telecommunications subscriptions in the UAE rose to 27.09 million by March’s end, with mobile subscriptions at 78.1%, active mobile users at 21.15 million, and broadband internet and fixed-line services also seeing significant growth.
Algeria’s “Switch mobile” project enables instant interbank transfers and account-to-account payments via QR codes, connecting bank and Algeria Post applications. This initiative, part of the National Electronic Payment Strategy, aims to enhance financial inclusion and modernize payment methods in Algeria.
