Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Quantum.Tech is expanding into the Gulf region with an event in Qatar in January 2025. The conference, in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Invest Qatar, will focus on quantum technologies such as cryptography and AI, attracting global industry leaders and fostering collaboration in the region’s growing digital ecosystem.
Qatar’s technology acceleration, driven by AI adoption and robust government investment, has propelled its innovation rankings and digital economy growth. With strong leadership embracing GenAI, quantum computing, and industry collaboration, Qatar is building a resilient, diversified economy aligned with its 2030 vision.
AVEVA is powering Protium’s digital transformation in green hydrogen, enabling faster development, improved reliability, and greater sustainability through an advanced industrial intelligence platform featuring a digital twin and optimized operations.
Cisco introduces a room-temperature Quantum Network Entanglement Chip and opens Quantum Labs to pioneer scalable quantum networking infrastructure, aiming to realize practical quantum internet applications within a decade.
The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched the LogisTech Challenge to drive innovation in the logistics sector. The competition focuses on improving fleet sustainability, alternative delivery solutions, and data-driven logistics intelligence. Participants will undergo training and pitch their solutions in January 2025.
F1Soft, Nepal’s leading fintech company, celebrates its 21st anniversary and announces a leadership transition, with Siddhant Thakuri becoming the new President. F1Soft has been a pioneer in digital financial solutions, including mobile banking and digital wallets. Thakuri aims to accelerate the company’s next phase of growth and innovation.
Orange has announced key executive changes, with Jérôme Hénique becoming the new CEO of Orange France, while Yasser Shaker takes over as CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa. The appointments are part of a strategic leadership shift to strengthen growth and leadership across the company’s regions.
The 21st Festival des Plages Maroc Telecom has energized Morocco’s northern beaches, uniting crowds in Martil, Nador, and Saïdia through music that bridges heritage and modernity. Drawing tens of thousands nightly, the event highlights Morocco’s summer spirit of celebration, with performances from iconic and contemporary artists running until August 21.
The seminar ‘Digital Horizons’ in Oman discussed AI’s governance, risks, and its application in healthcare to enhance patient outcomes. Experts emphasized the need for responsible AI usage and explored its potential across various sectors, highlighting Oman’s proactive approach to integrating AI in boosting economic productivity.
Smart home devices are booming in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with six million devices integrated into Alexa users’ lives. In 2023, users initiated 130 million smart home actions and 100 million music requests. The region saw a 50% YoY increase in smart home customers and a 90% increase in connected devices.