Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
RAKBank has received in-principle approval from the UAE central bank to issue a dirham-backed stablecoin. Fully reserved and blockchain-based, the token strengthens the UAE’s regulated digital payments ecosystem, though adoption and interoperability remain key challenges.
Bangladesh’s financial sector faces escalating cyber risks as experts warn of underinvestment, skills shortages, and systemic flaws. With only 5% of banking IT budgets devoted to security and millions of identities already leaked online, urgent reforms, national collaboration, and dedicated institutions are needed to secure the country’s digital future.
Tencent Cloud plans to expand its Middle East data centre footprint as regional demand for cloud and AI infrastructure accelerates. The move aligns with a broader surge in hyperscale investments across the Gulf, driven by national digital strategies, AI ambitions, and a rapidly growing market for sovereign and enterprise cloud services.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka launched a Joint Working Group on IT and Digital Economy to strengthen cooperation in digital transformation, emerging technologies, SMEs, trade, and agriculture during the 13th Joint Economic Commission meeting in Colombo.
Al Dhahirah Governorate launched a three-day tech innovation hackathon at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, engaging over 200 participants in developing solutions for local challenges. The event advances the governorate’s digital transformation agenda through collaboration, mentorship, and expert guidance, with prizes for top teams and plans to scale impactful projects.
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed met with delegations from e& UAE and the Ministry of Justice to discuss collaboration in digital infrastructure and judicial services. The discussions focused on enhancing Sharjah’s telecommunications sector, supporting e&’s advancements in AI and fibre-optic networks, and modernizing the judicial system in the UAE.
Qatar’s Kahramaa has installed nearly one million smart electricity and water meters as part of a broad project to digitize the country’s utility infrastructure. These meters provide real-time monitoring, automated billing, and fault detection while supporting sustainability and operational efficiency aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Tamasha, powered by Jazz, has secured exclusive digital streaming rights for all Asia Cup cricket tournaments in Pakistan until 2027. Covering men’s, women’s, Under-19, and emerging teams, the deal marks a milestone in digital sports broadcasting, promising seamless live coverage and elevating Tamasha’s position as Pakistan’s leading digital entertainment platform.
Bangla Phone has received government approval for a Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licence in Bangladesh, marking a significant development…
Bahrain has jumped from twelfth to fifth place globally for fastest mobile internet speeds, hitting 233.22 Mbps downloads, 21.93 Mbps uploads, and 16 ms latency. The achievement reflects its growing role as a digital hub, surpassing Saudi Arabia and signaling strong progress in its tech transformation.