Maxis, Nokia, Tawal, and Zain KSA are driving next-gen connectivity in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia through collaborations in cloud, AI, and 5G. Notable milestones include Maxis and Nokia’s data center networking expansion, Nokia and Tawal’s 5G mmWave trial, and Zain KSA’s successful Cloud RAN trial with Nokia.
Finja has secured additional investment in its Series A round from Habib Bank Limited (HBL), joining previous investors. The investment will support Finja’s efforts to provide digital loans to Pakistan’s SMEs, a crucial sector for the country’s economy. HBL’s involvement strengthens Pakistan’s fintech landscape and digital financial inclusion.
The integration of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) with Pakistan Single Window (PSW) streamlines trade facilitation by automating the capital goods exemption process. This digital transformation enhances efficiency, reduces delays, and strengthens regulatory oversight, creating a more business-friendly environment for investors and enterprises in Special Technology Zones.
Telenor Pakistan has launched two initiatives—‘Nayi Raah,’ a flexible part-time work model, and an Executive MBA scholarship program in partnership with LUMS. These initiatives are designed to empower female employees, supporting their work-life balance and professional growth, and align with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, ‘Accelerate Action.’
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) has partnered with Fonepay to launch UPI-enabled cross-border payments between India and Nepal. Indian consumers can now make UPI payments in Nepal, while Nepalese merchants can accept UPI payments from Indian customers, fostering stronger economic ties and enhancing digital payment integration between the nations.
Nepal’s smartphone imports have decreased in volume but increased in value, with 1.1 million units imported in the past six months, valued at Rs. 16.71 billion. This shift reflects growing consumer interest in higher-end smartphones, such as the Samsung S24, as users upgrade to more advanced models with AI support.
GITEX Africa Morocco 2025, set for April 14-16 in Marrakech, will showcase Africa’s digital transformation with a focus on AI, fintech, and sustainability. The event will bring together industry leaders, government officials, and investors to explore key sectors like EdTech, AgriTech, and HealthTech, driving innovation and investment.
Zain has extended its strategic partnership with CODED Academy for the fifth season of the Kuwait Codes initiative, continuing its support to train Kuwaiti youth in high-demand tech fields. This collaboration, which has already empowered over 3,500 students, aims to equip the next generation of digital leaders.
The Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) and the Jordanian Association for Entrepreneurship (JAE) have signed an MoU to boost economic cooperation. The agreement focuses on organizing conferences, exchanging expertise, and promoting youth entrepreneurship in emerging sectors like AI and digital transformation to support Jordan’s economic modernization vision.
The Bangladesh government has proposed a 5-10% reduction in spectrum prices for the upcoming 700MHz auction to address concerns from foreign telecom investors. The discount is contingent on operators upgrading infrastructure, reducing consumer prices, and improving service quality. Further negotiations on pricing are expected.
