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 Maaki initiative empowers one million women in Upper Egypt with digital skills through a partnership between MSMEDA, Vodafone Egypt, Samsung, and CARE Egypt, advancing digital inclusion and women’s entrepreneurship.
UN Women Pakistan and KOICA launch Digital Startup Roundtable to empower young women in tech through training, mentorship, and policy dialogue as part of the D4WEE project.
Kuwaiti women lead 41% of startups, driving innovation across sectors like fintech and e-commerce. Backed by Vision 2035 and support platforms, female founders are reshaping the economy and culture despite funding and regulatory challenges.
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.
41% of Kuwaiti startups are female-led, disrupting e-commerce, fintech, and culture. Supported by government initiatives and funding, women entrepreneurs are driving economic diversification and social change despite traditional challenges. The trend promises continued growth and empowerment.
Bitcoin and crypto offer Afghan women financial hope despite Taliban bans and harsh restrictions, with underground markets sustaining remittances and savings.
Standard Chartered Bahrain, alongside Bahrain FinTech Bay, has selected ten female-led startups to join the Futuremakers Women in Tech Bahrain programme’s sixth cohort. The initiative offers expert training, mentorship, and networking over eight weeks, aiming to accelerate women entrepreneurs in diverse tech sectors and foster a more inclusive innovation ecosystem aligned with Bahrain’s economic development goals.
Standard Chartered Egypt focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs through tailored accelerator programs and mentorship while driving broader economic growth via strategic sector support and leveraging its global network for investment and trade.
SLASSCOM’s Women Technopreneurs Forum concluded Hack Like a Girl 2.0 and Fast Forward 4.0, empowering female tech founders in Sri Lanka. Five startups won Fast Forward’s accelerator support, while university teams presented innovative hackathon projects addressing social challenges. Supported by key partners, these initiatives boost female-led innovation in Sri Lanka’s tech ecosystem.
Orange Jordan’s 2025 “Inspiring Change” Award honored women-led projects advancing sustainable digital innovation, introducing a new fintech category. Winners included Wasil, Genskin, SOHO ERP, and BitMal. Supported by Capital Bank and Int@j, the initiative aims to boost women’s roles in tech entrepreneurship across Jordan.