Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia recorded near-universal internet usage in 2025, with 99% of residents aged 15–74 online, according to GASTAT. Mobile access dominates, social media leads usage, e-government adoption exceeds 98%, and e-commerce continues to grow, driven by strong female participation.
Jordan recorded measurable improvements across more than 20 global indicators, driven by progress in digital government, innovation, competitiveness, and economic resilience. Gains in global rankings highlight stronger public services, governance, inflation control, and digital workforce development.
Oman’s telecom subscriptions surpassed 8 million in 2025, driven by strong mobile growth, a surge in IoT connections, and rapid fibre expansion, while legacy technologies such as ADSL and fixed 4G continued to decline.
Pakistan’s telecom sector crossed 200 million subscribers in FY2024–25, with revenues exceeding Rs1 trillion and broadband penetration surpassing 60%. Investment growth, expanded 4G coverage, rising data consumption, and increased local device manufacturing reinforced the sector’s role in Pakistan’s digital economy.
Oman’s telecom subscriptions exceeded 8 million by November 2025, driven by strong growth in mobile, fibre broadband, and IoT connections. The data reflects rising digital adoption, expanding fibre infrastructure, and a clear shift away from legacy fixed technologies.
BAGHDAD: Iraq is preparing to significantly expand its national fiber-optic internet rollout after a recent population census revealed that more than eight million homes were excluded from earlier plans, according to the Ministry of Communications.
Bahrain ranked 15th globally and second regionally in the World Bank’s 2025 GovTech Maturity Index, achieving a “very high digital maturity” score of 93.6 percent. The results highlight strong eGovernment performance, citizen engagement, and advanced digital infrastructure supporting national development goals.
Nigeria added 2.1 million new telecom subscriptions in November 2025, driven largely by MTN and Airtel, which together control over 85 per cent of the market. The rebound followed earlier subscriber losses linked to SIM-NIN enforcement and signals renewed momentum in the mobile-first sector.
India crossed one billion broadband subscribers in November 2025, driven by a decade of rapid digital expansion, strong telecom policy, and nationwide infrastructure rollout. TRAI data shows broadband users increased more than sixfold, supported by 5G deployment, rising data usage, and initiatives like National Broadband Mission 2.0.
Pakistan’s telecom subscriber base has reached 200 million, with broadband users crossing 150 million as sector revenues exceed Rs1 trillion. Strong investment, rising data usage, local handset manufacturing, and improved cybersecurity rankings highlight continued digital growth.