Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s telecom operators and GSMA have urged the government to ease 5G spectrum auction terms, citing high spectrum costs and risks to investment. They demanded lower reserve prices, rupee-based fees, flexible payment terms, and duty-free imports, warning that delays could cost the economy up to $4.3 billion in five years.
At COMEX 2025, Oman unveiled the Digital Triangle Project, an AI zone, and the Green AI Alliance, while signing RO 42 million in new agreements. The event also launched Maeen, Oman’s first AI language model, highlighting the Sultanate’s push toward a sustainable, AI-driven digital economy under Vision 2040.
Oman Lens has signed agreements to launch a satellite in 2026, equipped with 50 cm high-resolution imaging, multispectral sensors, and an AI platform capable of 400 trillion operations per second. The project supports Oman’s AI-driven digital future and strengthens the GCC’s regional technology capabilities.
PTA has denied reports of subscriber data leaks from telecom operators, stating the exposed datasets were aggregated from external sources. The authority blocked 1,372 online platforms trading personal data, while the Ministry of Interior launched a probe to identify leak origins and recommend corrective measures.
DP World has launched the Atlas service linking Morocco with the UK and Northern Europe, reducing food export times by two days and cutting carbon emissions by 70%. The initiative uses Unifeeder vessels, new reefer fleets, and DP World’s CARGOES platform to deliver fresher produce and more sustainable supply chains.
Thunes has launched instant cross-border payments in Morocco, allowing real-time dirham transfers to local bank accounts. The expansion meets rising remittance demand into North Africa and builds on Thunes’ global payments network spanning 130 countries, 80 currencies, and 320 payment methods.
Moroccan e-commerce startup Justyol has raised $1M in equity and inventory financing to expand beyond fashion into electronics and household goods. The company aims to strengthen logistics, scale cross-border trade, and position itself for a Series A by proving strong unit economics and customer retention.
The 5th Diplomatic Connect in Riyadh, co-hosted by the DCO and Kuwaiti Embassy, showcased how digital tools sustain services and empower communities during crises. Leaders emphasized agile cooperation, digital inclusion, and innovation as drivers of peace, resilience, and trust, with Kuwait steering the DCO presidency in 2025.
The GCC held a high-level ministerial meeting in Kuwait to unify cybersecurity efforts, focusing on joint frameworks, information-sharing, and stronger incident-response systems. The initiative reflects a shared Gulf vision to secure critical infrastructure and build a collaborative cyber environment resilient to evolving threats.
Knetco has been named the main partner for Huawei’s 5G Advanced deployment in Kuwait. The project will power smart cities, AI-driven industries, and advanced digital services, while showcasing Kuwait’s readiness to adopt next-generation connectivity and strengthen its role in regional digital transformation.