Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Royal Air Maroc has announced new temporary e-visa requirements for CAN 2025 travelers from eight countries, including Algeria and Senegal. The AEVM will be mandatory between September 25, 2025, and January 25, 2026, with applications via the YALLA app for match attendees or the official portal for other visits.
The Digital Cooperation Organization, led from Riyadh, has launched new initiatives including a women-focused digital program, an AI treaty, and DEN 2.0 to combat global digital poverty. Saudi Arabia was praised as a global leader for replicable digital transformation models, underscoring its role in shaping inclusive digital economies.
Algeria’s National Investment Fund (NIIF) has launched a new technology hub in Algiers under its National Digital Transformation Strategy. Partnering with leading tech firms, the hub will drive innovation in finance and beyond, supporting Algeria’s ambition to modernize institutions and become a regional technology leader.
Equinix has opened its first AI-ready IBX data centre in Chennai with an initial 800 cabinets, scalable to 4,250. The US$69 million facility integrates with Mumbai’s cloud ecosystem, supports liquid cooling for AI workloads, and strengthens India’s digital and innovation ambitions in emerging technologies.
The UAE’s $1.57B digital transformation market is being reshaped by cloud, with Core42 leading sovereign cloud adoption. Its Azure-powered platforms ensure compliance, resilience, and AI scalability, serving 50+ customers across finance, healthcare, and government, while driving UAE’s ambition to be a global digital and AI hub.
Pakistan’s Senate IT panel was told the PTCL–Telenor merger will conclude within two weeks. Lawmakers flagged transparency lapses in telecom boards, raised alarm over Rs65bn worth of citizen data on the dark web, and urged swift action on 5G rollout amid coverage gaps and cybersecurity concerns.
Qatar Media Corporation and Djibouti’s Ministry of Communication held talks in Doha on boosting joint media cooperation. The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides, explored ways to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen collaboration in broadcasting and communications.
Teletalk and BTCL owe over Tk 7,000 crore in unpaid dues, with the figure possibly exceeding Tk 10,000 crore. While private operators face strict enforcement, state-run firms avoid penalties, raising concerns of market distortion. Analysts urge restructuring, spectrum reallocation, or partial privatisation to restore fairness and efficiency.
Indonesia has signed an MoU with Indosat, ITA, and Tsinghua University to establish an AI Application Cooperation Center, focusing on education, healthcare, and agriculture. Scheduled to launch early next year, the initiative supports Indonesia’s Golden 2045 vision, strengthens China–Indonesia AI ties, and advances inclusive digital transformation.
Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has joined the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference 2025 as Strategic Partner. The event will focus on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and AI-driven solutions, aligning with Qatar’s national strategies and reinforcing its role as a regional innovation hub.