Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Apple has launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UAE, enabling businesses to accept in-person, contactless payments using just their iPhone. The feature supports payments via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, offering a secure, hardware-free solution for merchants, backed by encryption and privacy protection.
Pakistan is considering a proposed $50 million Techxila Fund II with Gobi Partners to support startups in fintech, logistics, e-commerce, and health technology, as part of efforts to strengthen the venture capital ecosystem and promote technology-driven economic growth.
MedIQ, a Pakistan-based health tech startup, raised $6 million in Series A funding led by Rasmal Ventures and Joa Capital. The funds will support its expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Gulf region, aiming to transform healthcare through digital solutions. MedIQ’s total funding now stands at $9.8 million.
Ooredoo Kuwait and Alshaya Group have launched Aura Mobile, a service integrating Ooredoo’s cutting-edge telecommunications with Alshaya’s Aura loyalty program. Subscribers enjoy seamless connectivity and exclusive retail benefits across over 50 brands, transforming the mobile landscape in Kuwait with innovative rewards and enhanced customer experiences.
Zain Bahrain has received the Corporate Ethical Procurement and Supply certification from CIPS, demonstrating its commitment to ethical procurement practices. The certification was achieved after rigorous training for the procurement division, enhancing the company’s transparency and ethical standards in its supply chain management.
Dubai, UAE, 22 April 2025: Gentek.ai, a specialist in AI-native enterprise agents, has appointed Argella as its Commercial Partner in…
Fawry’s first quarter of 2025 demonstrates continued growth with a 65.1% increase in revenue and a 97.1% surge in net profit. Key drivers included strong performances in Financial Services, Banking, and Supply Chain Solutions. The company remains focused on expanding its digital services while enhancing profitability and operational efficiency.
UAE and Saudi Arabia are moving forward with plans for 6G networks, with the UAE targeting a 2030 launch. However, telecom experts question the business case for 6G due to slowing data growth in MENA and the high costs of deploying 6G infrastructure compared to the ongoing expansion of 5G.
ZainTECH, Zain Kuwait, and ZOI have launched Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute on Azure Marketplace, offering Kuwaiti enterprises direct, compliant, and high-speed cloud connectivity. The move simplifies procurement via Azure credits and advances Kuwait’s Vision 2035 by accelerating digital modernization and data sovereignty.
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.