Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sri Lanka’s AI startup ecosystem boasts world-class talent but struggles with scaling due to funding gaps, outdated policies, and limited digital adoption. Industry leaders urge urgent reforms, aggressive VC funding, and stronger collaboration to unlock the country’s potential to build a $15 billion digital economy.
The Holy Makkah Municipality has launched a digital afforestation initiative through the Nabatik platform, allowing citizens and residents to contribute to increasing green spaces and reducing carbon emissions. Participants can select tree species, choose planting locations, and make payments online, supporting Makkah’s environmental and climate goals from the comfort of their homes.
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.
As AI technology advances, Wahyd Logistics remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological innovations in the logistics industry.
Friendi Pay has fueled major growth in Oman’s digital payments ecosystem, delivering 600% higher payment volumes, 800% growth in remittances, stronger onboarding, and a user-centric, multilingual experience. Built on trust and regulatory alignment, it aims to power Oman’s Vision 2040 digital financial ambitions.
Lenovo and Alat, a Saudi PIF company, have completed a $2 billion investment deal, establishing a regional headquarters and sustainable manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. This partnership will enhance Lenovo’s presence in the Middle East and Africa, support job creation, and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Niger has completed 1,031 km of fiber for the Trans-Saharan Backbone, enabling future links to Benin, Nigeria, Chad, Algeria, and Burkina Faso. The project aims to enhance digital access, reduce connectivity costs, and secure international bandwidth via neighboring countries’ submarine cable networks, though interconnection timelines remain unclear.
Oracle has launched the world’s first zettascale AI supercomputer in the cloud, powered by up to 131,072 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs. This groundbreaking development promises unparalleled AI capabilities, significantly enhancing cloud computing power and flexibility while supporting stringent data and AI sovereignty requirements.
The collaboration aims to advance technological infrastructure and fuel digital transformation initiatives in Sharjah.
Hutch Sri Lanka has launched sustainability-led retail outlets powered by renewable energy, integrating circular economy principles and e-waste initiatives into customer spaces. The initiative reflects growing telecom industry efforts to embed sustainability into retail experiences while supporting environmental awareness and responsible consumption.