The Special Communications Organization (SCO) is establishing three centers for individuals with special abilities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. In collaboration with the Pakistan Army, a Freelancing Hub has been set up in Skardu to provide laptops and empower individuals to become self-sufficient through online freelancing platforms.
Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in tourism innovation, aiming to become Africa’s tech hub for the sector. In 2024, the country welcomed 17.4 million tourists and launched initiatives to foster digital transformation. With a strong focus on investment and sustainability, Morocco is driving growth in Africa’s tourism landscape.
The MENA region’s e-commerce and gifting markets saw substantial growth in 2024, reaching a $1.8 billion valuation. Key drivers include increased online orders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, rising mobile commerce, and the expansion of the gifting sector. The MENA market is expected to continue thriving through 2025.
Tech Alamal has signed an MoU with Jordan Source to expand its operations in Jordan, aiming to enhance the local ICT ecosystem and provide opportunities for Jordanian professionals. This collaboration will position Jordan as a competitive player in the global ICT sector and foster innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
Jordan’s government has approved an initiative to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets within a year. This framework will align with global standards, enhance the country’s competitiveness, and foster a digital economy. The Jordan Securities Commission will lead the development of the legal and technical infrastructure for virtual assets.
Telecom Egypt is enhancing its infrastructure to meet the growing connectivity demands in the Middle East and Egypt. With strategic subsea cable investments, new data centers, and partnerships with global tech providers, Telecom Egypt is positioning Egypt as a regional digital hub to support the rise of AI, cloud, and IoT applications.
Starting 1 February, Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) will block the activation of mobile phones that don’t meet international standards set by the GSM Association. This move follows new taxes on imported phones and aims to ensure high-quality telecommunication services, safeguard public health, and support local electronics manufacturing.
LINX has completed a 100G capacity upgrade in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to meet rising demand for network connectivity. The upgrade will provide lower latency, increased security, and redundancy for IXPs, supporting traffic spikes from events like sporting games. Jeddah is a key digital hub for local and regional networks.
Orange Egypt has partnered with the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation to enhance Cairo International Airport’s digital services. The collaboration includes free Wi-Fi, charging stations, AI-powered interactive screens, and kiosks. These efforts aim to improve the traveler experience and position Cairo as a regional airport hub.
Bangladesh is establishing its first green data centre in Chattogram to encourage foreign investment and provide affordable services. The project, developed in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, will use renewable energy and be supported by new subsea cables. This move is expected to boost the country’s data centre market.
