Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
e& has launched an AI-powered, autonomous drone system for telecom tower inspections in the UAE. The system enhances safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability by using real-time data analytics, AI, and autonomous flight capabilities. It supports proactive maintenance, improving tower longevity and contributing to the UAE’s smart city ambitions.
Cisco and stc Group have collaborated to deploy digital experience assurance technology for the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia. This partnership enhances real-time visibility into network performance and ensures a seamless digital experience for players and fans, supporting the largest esports event with a $60 million prize pool.
SYTEQ and Autodesk announced expanded collaboration to support Egypt’s Vision 2030, hosting a major conference on digital transformation for the public sector. The event showcased BIM, AI, and data-driven workflows, SYTEQ’s regional expansion, and the launch of SYTEQ Academy to upskill future engineers. Leaders explored solutions to enhance service delivery and infrastructure efficiency.
e& enterprise has partnered with PayPal for a three-year collaboration to enhance payment capabilities through its digital payments platform. The integration will allow businesses in the UAE and beyond to adopt PayPal seamlessly, expanding cross-border commerce and enhancing global market reach through simplified payment processing.
Banglalink has secured approval from Bangladesh Bank to launch digital payment services, allowing it to offer transfers, remittances, bill payments, and merchant transactions. The move targets financial inclusion in Bangladesh, where most of the population remains unbanked, and leverages Veon’s regional digital finance expertise to support the country’s digital economy.
Robi Axiata has questioned the timing of Bangladesh’s planned 700MHz spectrum auction, warning that holding it ahead of national elections could deter investment due to political and regulatory uncertainty. While Robi continues to invest locally, executives stress that long-term capital commitments require stable governance and predictable telecom policies.
Zain Group has reported record revenue of KD2 billion ($6.4 billion) for FY2024, marking a 3% YoY growth. The company’s net income increased by 15%, and its EBITDA reached KD689 million ($2.25 billion). Zain also recommended a cash dividend of 35 fils per share for the year.
Space42 and Viasat have partnered to develop a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), enhancing global satellite connectivity. The collaboration focuses on direct-to-device satellite communications, NB-IoT, and MSS services. They will design an open, scalable infrastructure, aiming to improve satellite network efficiency for 5G readiness and seamless global integration.
Morocco is witnessing a significant surge in mobile and internet usage, with mobile phone subscriptions exceeding 55.4 million in Q1 2024 and an internet penetration rate of 103.5%. This growth reflects the country’s ongoing digital transformation, driven by improved telecommunications infrastructure and increasing affordability.
Morocco has launched two key digital healthcare initiatives at GITEX Africa 2025, including a partnership with CDG to enhance the health information ecosystem and the creation of GITEX Future Health Morocco Africa. These efforts aim to transform the country’s healthcare system and position Morocco as a regional hub for health innovation.