Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has blocked 184 gambling-related websites and apps based on complaints from government agencies and the public. PTA uses complaint-based mechanisms and an e-portal to monitor and remove unlawful content, while legal action against offenders is handled by other authorities.
Jazz topped the PTA’s latest Quality of Service survey, leading in coverage, broadband speeds, latency, and voice quality. The operator’s investments in 4G and digital innovation position it as Pakistan’s foremost telecom service provider.
President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s intent to expand trade and investment with Oman in IT, construction, healthcare, and energy, emphasizing government collaboration and private-sector growth to strengthen bilateral ties.
The Digital Cooperation Organisation’s Startup Country Guide 2024 highlights Oman’s evolving startup ecosystem, emphasizing Vision 2040, government incentives, and sectoral opportunities in fintech, AI, 5G, and IoT, supported by initiatives like the Oman Future Fund and OTF’s Techween.
Omani experts urge anchoring social media use in national values to preserve cultural identity amid growing digital influence. They emphasize family roles, responsible content creation, media’s educational duty, and ethical digital influence as pillars for safeguarding Omani heritage online.
Vodafone Oman and Riyada hosted their first SME event in Dhofar, presenting digital solutions and tailored plans to support small businesses. The initiative is part of Vodafone’s broader campaign to strengthen SME digital capabilities and promote sustainable growth across Oman.
The University of Ibb concluded its 5th International Scientific Conference on smart technologies, gathering 550 researchers globally. The event emphasized practical application of innovations, digital infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced research in AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy.
Morocco is innovating tourism by combining cultural heritage with gaming, leading to a 19% rise in arrivals and increased revenues. The strategy includes incubators supporting gaming startups and major events like the Morocco Gaming Expo, positioning the country as a top travel and tech destination.
Boxy, an Iraqi logistics startup, secured $1.5 million pre-seed funding to launch an AI-driven courier aggregator platform unifying fragmented last-mile delivery services. With 15 partners and 300,000+ deliveries, it aims to scale regionally and enhance AI routing and analytics capabilities.
The Central Bank of Jordan has issued a regulatory framework to guide AI adoption in banking, promoting safe, responsible integration while enhancing Jordan’s fintech sector and digital economy. The framework supports governance, risk management, and data privacy in AI deployment.