Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Oman’s digital payments ecosystem experienced major growth in 2024, driven by mobile payments, card transactions, and improved financial infrastructure. Mobile payment volumes quadrupled, OmanNet saw large gains, and clearing systems expanded significantly. Supported by regulatory reforms and Vision 2040 goals, Oman is rapidly moving toward a secure, integrated, cashless financial environment.
Morocco’s Digital Development Agency has approved a new roadmap to accelerate the Digital Morocco 2030 vision. The strategy focuses on modernizing public services, expanding digital access, supporting innovation, and improving institutional governance. It builds on recent progress in broadband and tech regulation while addressing challenges like digital skills, rural connectivity gaps, and cybersecurity.
Morocco is launching a 500MW renewable-powered data center and an AI and energy-innovation institute in Dakhla. The projects aim to boost digital sovereignty, expand cloud and data-processing capacity, and develop national talent in AI and energy technologies. Powered by dedicated solar and wind farms, the initiatives position Dakhla as a strategic regional tech hub.
Morocco has achieved full smartphone penetration in urban households, with rural adoption rising quickly, according to ANRT’s latest ICT survey. Internet access and device ownership have grown sharply nationwide, driven partly by the pandemic. While digital connectivity improves access to education and services, rising online use among children is triggering increasing parental concerns and household tensions.
Salam and AFR-IX Telecom confirmed steady progress on the 8,700-km Medusa Submarine Cable System during Connected World 2025. As Saudi Arabia’s gateway partner, Salam is enabling backhaul and interconnection for the project, which will link 11 countries and deliver 480 Tbps capacity. The collaboration strengthens Saudi Arabia’s role as a Mediterranean-Middle East digital hub.
NBK has launched new fintech services — including Virtual IBANs, secure APIs, BIN Sponsorship, and QR Code Cash Withdrawal — to accelerate Kuwait’s digital economy and support financial inclusion. Designed for licensed e-wallet providers, these services give fintechs access to NBK’s secure infrastructure, enabling compliant digital payment solutions and fostering innovation across Kuwait’s evolving fintech sector.
Kuwait has approved a new Digital Commerce Law designed to modernize and regulate online commercial activity through a clear, future-ready legal framework. The law streamlines licensing, legally recognizes digital documents, strengthens consumer protection, and introduces a regulatory sandbox for tech innovation. It positions Kuwait as a rising regional digital hub while supporting entrepreneurs and ensuring transparent dispute resolution.
Iran improved its global mobile internet ranking to 72nd in October 2025, with median speeds of 56.63 Mbps down and 12.41 Mbps up, according to Speedtest. While still trailing global averages, the country showed steady progress in both mobile and fixed broadband. The UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait led mobile rankings, while Singapore topped fixed broadband performance.
Orange Jordan renewed its support for SMARTECH 2025 as the event’s telecom partner, showcasing advanced digital services such as 5G, fiber internet, and Orange Money. The company also promoted startups from its BIG by Orange program, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and community empowerment in Jordan’s growing tech ecosystem.
Azerbaijan and Iraq have formalised a new protocol to coordinate FM broadcasting, agreeing on frequencies and technical parameters for current and future stations. Signed during the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Baku, the agreement builds on a 2023 MoU and strengthens bilateral cooperation to ensure efficient, interference-free FM radio services between the two countries.