Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Oman participated in UNESCO’s Digital Week, presenting its progress in digital transformation, education technology, and ICT-driven services. The country showcased smart governance and digital learning initiatives while aligning its agenda with UNESCO’s global goals of inclusion, access, and responsible technology use.
The $23 million Kenya–Oman subsea cable by Safaricom and Meta will provide East Africa with cheaper, more reliable internet and greater resilience. For Safaricom, it marks independence from leased systems, while Meta strengthens its role in Africa’s connectivity through major subsea, data, and fiber investments.
Nepal Telecom has suspended its CRBT service due to technical issues, with restoration efforts underway. The company apologized to subscribers, who remain divided on the service’s value, highlighting both its popularity and past criticism as a forced add-on.
Nepal Telecom has extended 4G internet and mobile services to Lamjung’s remote villages, improving connectivity for residents and enabling advances in education, healthcare, and local business. The initiative marks a major step toward inclusive digital development in rural Nepal.
Morocco is investing nearly MAD 10 billion under Digital Morocco 2030 to expand AI adoption, create 240,000 jobs, and strengthen innovation in finance and healthcare. Despite challenges, the country is emerging as a North African leader in AI-driven digital transformation.
Kuwait’s Scientific Center has launched the “STEAM Bus,” a mobile lab with optics, energy, and movement stations offering interactive science learning. The initiative brings experiments directly to schools, encouraging curiosity and bridging classroom lessons with real-world applications.
Southern Technical University, in partnership with Smart Cloud Group, has opened an IT and AI training lab to enhance digital skills, align education with labor market needs, and support Iraq’s innovation-driven development.
Saudi Arabia opened GSR-25 with ITU, uniting 190 nations to address the digital divide. A joint study calls for $2.8 trillion in investment, while Saudi initiatives focus on skills, regulation, and AI-era solutions to achieve universal connectivity.
Munify has raised $3M in seed funding led by Y Combinator to expand its cross-border digital banking services for Egyptians abroad. The fintech aims to reduce remittance costs, improve access to global banking, and strengthen financial inclusion for expatriates.
Grey and dLocal have achieved 80% quarterly payout growth in new markets, including Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt. Their partnership is enabling faster, low-cost cross-border payments, supporting Grey’s expansion and dLocal’s global growth strategy amid efforts to regain investor confidence.