Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt’s ICT Minister Amr Talaat met with Vodacom and Vodafone officials to discuss investment opportunities in Egypt’s ICT sector. The meeting focused on advancing digital transformation, infrastructure development, and fostering innovation. The South African delegation expressed interest in investing in data centers and cybersecurity, boosting Egypt’s growing tech sector.
Dream71 Bangladesh has been selected to develop a digital platform for the UNDP-led “Renewable Lesotho” project. The platform will support e-tendering, data management, monitoring, and geospatial analysis services to enhance access to renewable energy in Lesotho. The project will run from April 2025 to April 2027.
Kratos Gaming Network (KGeN), formerly IndiGG, has expanded into the MENA region with a new headquarters in Bahrain. This move aims to tap into the growing gaming and Web3 sectors, offering services like the Proof of Gamer identity system. KGeN plans to form key partnerships in AI and Web3.
Tamkeen has partnered with Invita to integrate their ‘Nasmaakum’ sign language mobile app, aimed at supporting individuals with hearing and speech impairments. The initiative seeks to empower users by providing access to Tamkeen’s services, promoting inclusivity, and bridging the gap between the hearing-impaired community and society.
Khaleeji Bank has launched Visa+, a service allowing users to send money to Visa cardholders across the GCC using only a mobile number. This innovation enhances security and convenience, eliminating the need for sensitive account details. Visa+ supports peer-to-peer payments, loan disbursements, and cross-border remittances.
Kratos Gamer Network (KGeN) has opened its regional headquarters in Bahrain to expand its presence in the MENA gaming market. The new headquarters will introduce a universal gamer reputation framework and leverage blockchain technology to enhance gaming experiences, connecting local communities with global game publishers.
Sadq, a Saudi startup, raised USD 1.46 million in pre-Series A funding, led by X by Unifonic Fund. The investment will help the company enhance its technology, scale services, and expand its digital signature solutions. Founded in 2022, Sadq focuses on digital trust and secure workflow authentication in Saudi Arabia.
e& UAE has introduced autonomous drone-based telecom tower inspections powered by AI. This innovation improves the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of infrastructure maintenance. The drones, managed via the Drones Operations Centre, detect anomalies and provide proactive maintenance insights, supporting faster decision-making and enhancing network resilience.
Zain has announced a 35 fils cash dividend for 2024, totaling KD151.4 million ($492 million), reflecting a 73% payout ratio. The dividend follows a semi-annual payout and is part of Zain’s strategy to drive business growth, despite socio-economic challenges, with a focus on digital transformation and new revenue streams.
AWS has partnered with Manara to train 2,500 software engineers in MENA on cloud and AI skills, investing $3.6 million over two years. This initiative aims to equip engineers with AWS Certifications and improve their employment prospects, contributing to MENA’s growing tech hub.