Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Dubai’s Film Development Committee has outlined strategic priorities to grow and sustain the emirate’s film sector. Focus areas include talent development, streamlined production processes, and stronger public-private collaboration, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a competitive global hub for film and creative industries.
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank have signed $730m in financing to upgrade the national power grid and accelerate state-owned enterprise reforms. The investments aim to improve energy security, enable hydropower integration, and strengthen governance and efficiency across key public institutions.
SalamAir will launch the first non-stop GCC flights to Sudan with a new Muscat–Port Sudan route starting January 2026. Operating three times weekly, the service boosts Oman–Africa connectivity, supports trade and expatriate travel, and aligns with Oman Vision 2040 goals.
Iraq’s rapid digital expansion has connected millions of young people, but high youth unemployment highlights the challenge of turning access into jobs. By investing in digital skills, inclusive participation, and stronger public-private collaboration, Iraq can convert connectivity into sustainable economic opportunity and long-term growth.
Morocco has launched a fully digital passenger journey at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport ahead of AFCON 2025, deploying self-service and biometric technologies to manage record traffic volumes. Part of ONDA’s Décollage 2025 strategy, the initiative aims to modernise airport operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the passenger experience nationwide.
Flat6Labs concluded its three-year StartMashreq Program with strong results across Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs, advancing inclusion, creating jobs, and unlocking significant startup funding. Backed by the Netherlands and IFC, the initiative demonstrated how targeted ecosystem support can drive resilient, cross-border entrepreneurship in challenging markets.
BIBF has launched a flexible e-learning programme on sustainable development to strengthen ESG and SDG awareness across Bahrain’s workforce and student community. The initiative supports economic diversification, green-economy readiness, and carbon-neutral ambitions by combining interactive learning, case studies, expert insights, and practical tools for real-world application.
Qatar hosted GCC workshops on smart factory transformation, focusing on Industry 4.0 readiness, SME support, and regional industrial cooperation. The event advanced plans for a Gulf Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, reinforcing digital transformation as a key driver of competitiveness and sustainable industrial growth.
Pakistan’s Telecom Roundtable 2025 brought industry leaders together to assess connectivity challenges, regulatory hurdles, and investment prospects. Discussions highlighted the need for stable infrastructure, policy clarity, and collaboration to unlock broadband growth, digital services exports, and long-term economic development across Pakistan’s evolving digital ecosystem.
Rising RAM prices are expected to push smartphone costs higher in 2026, with analysts forecasting a market contraction and price increases of up to 7 percent. Smaller manufacturers are likely to be hit hardest, while feature reductions may become more common across mid-range devices.