Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Oman is drafting a 2026–30 national plan to combat the invasive parthenium weed, focusing on monitoring, biological control, digital tools, and community awareness. Restoration efforts in Dhofar include large-scale seed dispersal campaigns, reinforcing the country’s push to protect crops, biodiversity, and public health.
NNET (Purple) has launched nationwide internet and IPTV services in Nepal, offering WiFi 6, IPv6, and affordable FTTR packages starting at Rs 911. With discounts for retail and SME customers and expansion into rural areas, the ISP aims to promote digital inclusion while challenging major incumbents.
Fonepay has partnered with Alipay+ to enable cross-border QR payments in Nepal. The deal allows travelers from 11 countries to pay local merchants via their home e-wallets, boosting SMEs, tourism, and financial inclusion while strengthening Nepal’s digital economy and global payment interoperability.
Vodafone has been awarded a telecoms contract to provide connectivity for the revived Spain-Morocco undersea tunnel project. The €60 km rail-only link, with 28 km undersea, is backed by EU funds and could surpass the Channel Tunnel in scale, marking a major milestone in cross-continental infrastructure.
Kuwait’s online food delivery market has surged past 2.6 million orders a month, but restaurants face crippling 25–30% commissions from dominant apps. With rising consumer costs, weak regulatory oversight, and mounting pressure on margins, industry players are calling for caps, transparency, and alternatives to restore balance.
Dubai has announced a $1 million prize for AI-generated short films at the 2026 1 Billion Followers Summit. Backed by Google’s Gemini, the competition emphasizes storytelling, humanitarian messages, and innovation, while broader funding initiatives highlight the UAE’s ambition to lead the global content economy.
Saudi Arabia will allow foreigners to own property starting 2026 through a digital ID system, enhancing transparency and investment under Vision 2030. Meanwhile, AfricAI, a new venture by global and regional partners, aims to deploy localized AI across Africa, focusing first on Nigeria before expanding continent-wide.
Jordan has signed an MoU with Syria to provide internet capacity and develop fibre infrastructure linking Damascus to the Aqaba Digital City. The agreement strengthens regional digital integration, boosts Syria’s telecom sector, and consolidates Jordan’s role as a trusted regional hub for ICT and digital investment.
Iraq’s active bank cards have surpassed 10 million, with digital payments crossing $11.4 billion in value. Backed by Central Bank policies and government reforms, the surge reflects growing confidence in electronic transactions and marks a key milestone in building a modern digital economy.
Iraq has announced the creation of a new state-backed mobile company to deliver 5G services nationwide. Backed by government entities and open to citizen investment, the initiative is designed to boost competition, enhance service quality, and support Iraq’s broader goal of diversifying its non-oil economy.