Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Bangladesh Mobile Consumers Association (BMCA) proposed 17 reforms to the BTRC, advocating for better consumer rights, service quality, and regulatory independence. Their suggestions include making internet access a human right and improving the transparency of tariff setting and infrastructure standards.
Bahrain is set to host the Fintech Revolution Summit in 2025, aiming to advance the country towards a cashless society as part of Bahrain Vision 2030. Over 500 BFSI and fintech professionals will explore trends and investment opportunities in financial technology.
Mohamed Abdelhadi Mezi, CEO of Volz, revolutionizes travel in Algeria with an online platform for airline tickets and fintech solutions like “book now, pay later.” Also leading Hotelris, he enhances digital marketing strategies for the travel industry.
Snap’s ‘Kingdom’s Lenscape’ AR campaign celebrates Saudi National Day by connecting users with brands through immersive experiences. Featuring exclusive offers and interactive environments, the campaign aims to enhance the cultural gifting traditions with innovative AR technology, involving major brands like Ounass and Spotify.
Enova introduces AIEVA, an AI-powered virtual assistant developed with Google’s Gemini and Hoplo. AIEVA will improve customer, job seeker, and supplier interactions by providing accurate, multilingual responses, enhancing Enova’s digital solutions portfolio and advancing its strategic vision for innovative, sustainable services.
The IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2024 united over 1,000 IT leaders to discuss digital transformation in the AI era. Highlights included keynote speeches on AI’s strategic importance, the inaugural CIO50 Awards, and sessions on leveraging AI for operational efficiency and improved customer experiences.
Omantel has been named the official technical partner for the Oman Science Festival 2024, focusing on promoting STEM education among youth. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Omantel will provide advanced programmes featuring AI, robotics, and VR to enhance students’ scientific and innovative abilities.
GoChat Messenger, developed by e& UAE, integrates advanced AI, offering high-definition calls, entertainment, payments, and rewards. Celebrated at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2024, GoChat is transforming digital communication by blending innovation and ease of use, contributing to its rapid success with over 10 million downloads worldwide.
The National Defence College (NDC) concluded its 8th parallel programme, “Cybersecurity within Digital Transition,” focusing on enhancing leadership skills and cybersecurity capabilities in both government institutions and the military, including the Sultan’s Armed Forces.
Saudi Arabia has launched the Tamkeen Initiative to empower tech professionals in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The program provides necessary skills and resources, aligning with Vision 2030, and offers incentives for tech companies to hire local talent.