Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Africa’s smartphone market is projected to grow by 2% in 2025, with challenges such as inflation and currency depreciation. Chinese vendors like Xiaomi, Realme, and OPPO are leading the growth, while Transsion maintains its market dominance. Samsung, however, faces a decline despite a rise in its average sales price.
Microsoft has announced a $15 billion investment in the United Arab Emirates to strengthen the nation’s artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure, underscoring its role as a rising global AI hub. The investment—spanning 2023 to 2029—will fund digital infrastructure, R&D, and workforce development programs focused on AI skills and innovation.
Smart home devices are booming in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with six million devices integrated into Alexa users’ lives. In 2023, users initiated 130 million smart home actions and 100 million music requests. The region saw a 50% YoY increase in smart home customers and a 90% increase in connected devices.
Ooredoo and Alshaya Group have launched Aura Mobile in Kuwait, integrating high-speed mobile services with exclusive retail rewards. This service, supported by Ooredoo’s 5G network and Alshaya’s Aura loyalty program, offers significant discounts and benefits across various brands, enhancing the consumer experience in telecommunications and retail.
Nepal’s telecommunications regulator has sought explanations from 17 internet service providers (ISPs), underscoring increasing regulatory scrutiny across South Asia’s digital…
STC Bahrain has signed an MoU with Huawei to advance EVOLVE 2.0, deepening its transformation into a TechCo. The initiative builds on earlier gains in cloud and automation, introducing enterprise-grade AI, data intelligence, and Copilot-style tools across network and business domains to improve operations, customer experience, and revenue models.
By leveraging the extensive reach of Cassava’s partner network and the advanced capabilities of Google’s AI solutions, this initiative will…
Seven Pakistani tech startups participated in GISEC 2025, reaching the pitch competition semi-finals. Sponsored by Ignite – National Technology Fund, these startups showcased AI-powered cybersecurity solutions and formed valuable partnerships. The event provided global exposure, highlighting Pakistan’s growing presence in the cybersecurity industry.
Selcore has opened its headquarters in Riyadh as part of its strategic expansion in the Middle East. The company launched the “Secure 2030” initiative to enhance cybersecurity and data protection for Saudi institutions. This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthens the country’s digital transformation efforts.
As GCC nations move toward “trust by design,” secure communication has become a strategic priority for national sovereignty. Moving beyond simple digitization, the region is adopting Digital Postbox models and edge-to-edge encryption to ensure official interactions are verifiable and legally binding. This shift reduces fraud and solidifies the foundation of future digital societies in line with Vision 2030 and Oman Vision 2040.