Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Experts at a cybersecurity event in Kathmandu emphasized the need for enhanced education, awareness, and a robust policy framework to combat rising cyber threats in Nepal. They highlighted the importance of practical skill development, grassroots cyber literacy, and a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Policy to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure and ensure long-term resilience.
ZainTECH has secured a commercial license in Saudi Arabia, enabling the company to establish regional offices and expand its technology solutions across sectors like IoT, cybersecurity, AI, and cloud services. This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, strengthening local collaborations and contributing to the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
Rabbit rapidly expanded its quick commerce footprint in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, leveraging AI and hyper-local sourcing to capture a low-penetration but high-growth market. With plans to deliver 20 million items by 2026, Rabbit’s city-centric, tech-driven model targets evolving Saudi consumer behaviors amid rising digital adoption.
G42 has signed an MoU with Cisco to collaborate on advancing AI innovation and infrastructure. This strategic partnership will focus on AI-powered cybersecurity, high-performance computing, and expanding AI adoption globally, aligning with the UAE’s AI leadership ambitions.
Cassava Technologies, led by Strive Masiyiwa, plans to invest up to USD 720 million in partnership with NVIDIA to build Africa’s first AI factory. The initiative will deploy 12,000 GPUs across South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco, boosting AI infrastructure and capabilities across the continent.
e& Egypt and Shahid have formed an exclusive partnership to deliver Shahid’s premium streaming content to e& Egypt customers. The collaboration integrates Shahid’s offerings with e& Egypt’s digital services, enhancing entertainment options and supporting both companies’ growth in Egypt’s evolving digital market.
Banknbox and CSC Jordan seek to strengthen their position in MENA’s fintech sector by integrating their customer-facing systems from banks and financial institutions as well as linking applications to provide distinctive regional services to their customers.
FPT has officially opened its regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Vietnamese company licensed for regional operations. This expansion aims to meet the rising demand for digital services and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reinforcing FPT’s commitment to digital transformation in the Middle East.
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones, announced an investment opportunity to develop a ‘Tech Startup Zone’ at Airport Heights in Bausher. This initiative, aligned with Oman Vision 2040, aims to attract tech startups, offering incentives and fostering growth through a structured investment process.
The UAE’s launch of the Foresight-1 SAR satellite marks a major step in its global space leadership. Bayanat and Yahsat’s collaboration on this project strengthens the UAE’s space capabilities, enhances geospatial solutions, and supports the National Space Strategy 2030. The upcoming merger will establish “Space42” as a key player in the global space sector.