Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Etisalat has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene in the stalled merger between Ufone and Telenor Pakistan. Despite submitting required legal documentation, the Competition Commission of Pakistan has not made a decision, causing financial losses and delays in development. Etisalat urges swift government action to resolve the issue.
Pakistan and Denmark are enhancing bilateral trade and investment with key initiatives, including the development of a green deep-water terminal and collaboration in the agricultural sector. Minister Khan’s upcoming visit to Denmark and the EU Business Forum in Islamabad further aim to strengthen ties and drive economic prosperity between the two nations.
Data monetization offers organizations a way to transform their data into economic value through direct or indirect strategies. As the global market grows, Saudi Arabia and other regions are investing in data technologies to optimize business processes, overcome challenges like data quality, and create new revenue streams.
Sparrow SMS celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking significant growth from its humble beginnings in 2010. The company has revolutionized communication in Nepal with advanced messaging solutions, social impact projects, and a rebranding as an Enterprise Messaging Platform. To commemorate, Sparrow SMS is offering a lifetime free platform for new users.
Saudi telecom companies saw a 69% increase in net profits for 2024, reaching SAR 28.39 billion ($7.57 billion), driven by higher revenues, a growing customer base, and operational efficiency. Stc led with a profit surge of 85.7%, while Mobily showed growth, and Zain experienced a decline due to higher costs.
Yango Ventures, part of Yango Group, is supporting early-stage startups with an initial $20 million fund. The venture focuses on sectors like O2O, B2B SaaS, and FinTech, aiming to foster innovation and sustainable growth. The initiative also emphasizes digitalization and economic development in high-growth markets globally.
Jordan’s tourism sector saw strong growth in February, with tourism revenue rising by 10% year-on-year to JD428 million. International arrivals surged by 13%, while overnight visitors increased by 9%. These gains are driven by strategic marketing, enhanced services, and resumed flight routes, aligning with Jordan’s goal of sustained tourism growth.
The “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” study reveals that 76% of businesses across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East see AI and cloud computing as key to sustainable development. However, concerns over energy consumption remain, with businesses emphasizing the importance of green technologies and human oversight in AI.
Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met with OCCI Chairman Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas in Muscat to discuss enhancing trade between Pakistan and Oman. The meeting was followed by a B2B networking session to explore business opportunities. Both sides agreed to strengthen ties through the Joint Business Council and enhanced connectivity.
Jordan’s imports of mobile devices in 2024 totaled approximately JD176 million, with 1.855 million devices entering the market. Purchases using debit cards reached JD60.2 million, and tablet imports amounted to JD45 million. This marks significant growth in mobile device sales, reflecting increasing demand and the shift towards digital transactions.