Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan will auction 597.2 MHz of sub-6 GHz spectrum across six bands in 2026, divided into 62 lots. With new bands opening for the first time and strict caps on spectrum ownership, PTA aims to ensure fair competition while giving operators the capacity to expand 4G and deploy 5G nationwide.
Thawani and Monak have signed an MoU to integrate secure, locally compliant payment capabilities into digital platforms across Oman. The partnership combines Thawani’s licensed payments infrastructure with Monak’s platform services, enabling faster service delivery, simplified onboarding, and scalable digital solutions for public and private sector initiatives.
Oman’s digital economy attracted RO 1.2 billion in IT investment over five years, with 70% driven by foreign capital. Rapid government digitization, startup infrastructure, and new national programs in semiconductors and space are positioning the Sultanate as a regional technology hub.
Oman invested $8.8 billion in transport, logistics, and digital infrastructure by the end of 2025, accelerating its transformation into a regional logistics hub. Digitized government services, rising port volumes, stronger project delivery, and improved fiscal discipline signal a shift from planning to execution across the sector.
Botim money has partnered with Mastercard to embed global remittances into the botim app, enabling users in the UAE to send money to over 150 countries. Powered by Mastercard Move, the integration delivers fast, secure transfers to bank accounts, wallets, or cash pickup points, simplifying cross-border payments within a single platform.
PTA has warned the public about a rise in phishing scams targeting personal and financial data. The regulator urged users to avoid suspicious links, verify senders, and never share sensitive information, stressing that PTA never requests personal details. Citizens are encouraged to report scams and spread awareness.
Morocco has unveiled “Maroc IA 2030,” a national roadmap to strengthen AI governance, digital sovereignty, and skills development. Anchored by the Jazari Institutes and new R&D partnerships, the strategy aligns AI innovation with regional strengths, reduces reliance on foreign systems, and positions Morocco as a leading African AI hub.
MEPS has launched Click to Pay in Jordan through Mastercard Gateway, enabling password-free, secure online checkout for e-commerce merchants. The solution simplifies payments, strengthens fraud protection through tokenization and EMV 3-D Secure, and supports cross-border commerce as Jordan’s e-commerce market accelerates.
Iraq is rapidly reshaping its telecom landscape through local interconnection and strategic fibre investments. With the launch of IRAQ-IXP powered by DE-CIX, domestic traffic is now exchanged locally, reducing latency and cost. Combined with new international routes, Iraq is positioning itself as a future regional connectivity hub.
Egypt has partnered with 30 global and local ICT firms to deliver Digilians, a fully funded national scholarship programme for digital skills. Covering AI, software, cybersecurity, and data science, the initiative blends academic training with industry experience to build a future-ready workforce under Egypt’s Digital Egypt strategy.