Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Healthtech startup 21Doctors has secured pre-seed funding from angel investors to scale its Arabic-first AI-powered medical infrastructure. Headquartered in Saudi Arabia, the Jordan-founded company will expand its technology and partnerships across the Gulf, aligning with Vision 2030 to accelerate healthcare digitization.
Iraq has launched Tasheel, its first electronic document authentication system, allowing citizens to certify documents securely and remotely. The initiative aims to cut bureaucracy, reduce corruption, and improve transparency, with officials framing it as a milestone in the country’s wider digital transformation agenda.
Iraq’s Federal Board of Supreme Audit has reported that Asiacell and Zain Iraq owe over 161 billion Iraqi dinars in accumulated debts to the state. The document highlights significant financial liabilities but provides no details on repayment mechanisms or potential government actions.
South Korea has launched a $15 million project to modernize Egypt’s education system, covering 54 schools nationwide. Starting in 2027, the initiative will enhance ICT integration, teacher training, and infrastructure upgrades, aligning with AU Agenda 2063 goals and positioning Egypt as a potential hub for digital education in Africa.
Egypt’s mobile wallet sector saw an 80% increase in transactions in Q2 2025, reaching 718 million, with a total value of EGP 943 billion. Active wallets rose to 46.3 million, led by Vodafone Cash. NTRA introduced new fraud-prevention rules and approved remittance services to boost adoption and security.
Starlink has launched its corporate internet service in Bangladesh, with Eastern Bank and 20 other firms signing up. The world’s largest Starlink ground station in Gazipur will power the service, while Robi becomes the first reseller. High costs could restrict uptake, but the service promises to transform rural connectivity.
A GSMA report warns Bangladesh’s high spectrum costs and heavy taxation are holding back 5G adoption and network investment. By aligning spectrum prices with regional or global levels, the country could accelerate 5G rollout, raise speeds, and unlock up to $45 billion in economic growth by 2035.
Qatar has suspended Talabat’s services for one week after finding the delivery platform guilty of misleading practices and consumer protection violations. Authorities cited deceptive product descriptions and failure to ensure service guarantees, while Talabat pledged cooperation and launched an internal review to resolve the issue.
North Africa is rapidly embracing 5G, led by Tunisia’s pioneering launch and Egypt’s nationwide rollout in 2025. With Algeria and Morocco preparing deployments, the region is on track to accelerate digital transformation, attract investment, and drive socio-economic growth through innovation in smart cities, logistics, and digital services.
Algeria has signed a $300 million agreement with Nigeria to export two million Algerian-made payment terminals, boosting its presence in Africa’s digital technology market. The deal reflects Algeria’s push to strengthen local manufacturing, advance regional integration, and support Africa’s transition to digital financial solutions.