Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Superintelligent AI could arrive soon, offering the Middle East transformative opportunities in governance, education, science, and new industries. Saudi Arabia’s ambitious AI initiatives, including the Humain project and strategic partnerships, position the region to lead both in innovation and ethical governance amid this technological revolution.
Spekter Games raised $5 million in pre-seed funding to develop Web3-enhanced mobile and social games blending deep gameplay with blockchain incentives. Its first game, Spekter Agency, is testing on Telegram, with plans to expand onto traditional app stores.
Egypt and Thailand strengthened ICT collaboration via a networking event in Cairo, promoting B2B connections and supporting both countries’ digital transformation and software industry globalization goals.
Hesham Mahran will take over as CEO of Orange Egypt on August 1, succeeding Yasser Shaker, who moves to lead Orange’s Middle East and Africa division. This change aligns with the group’s broader strategy on digital transformation and leadership development.
Almost half of Saudi internet users spend seven or more hours daily online, mainly via mobile phones. Peak usage is in the evening, with most access from home. Android leads mobile OS, while Windows dominates desktops, reflecting the Kingdom’s advancing digital landscape.
Orange Egypt’s latest 5G campaign featuring Karim Abdel Aziz uses racing imagery and highway placements to associate network speed with car speed, targeting affluent early adopters. The campaign strengthens Orange’s premium position amid Egypt’s growing 5G competition.
Minister Mustafa Jabbar announced that 28 hi-tech parks outside Dhaka will create over 300,000 jobs in coming years. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi alone will provide 14,000 jobs, boosting the local economy and advancing Digital Bangladesh goals through expanded tech industries and foreign collaboration.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun invited Elon Musk to Beirut after Musk expressed interest in Lebanon’s telecom sector. Discussions around Starlink satellite internet highlight hopes for improving Lebanon’s unstable telecom infrastructure amid financial and reconstruction challenges.
City Bank has introduced Google Pay contactless payments for its Mastercard and Visa cardholders, becoming the first bank in Bangladesh to support Google Wallet and Google Pay. The service enhances convenient mobile payments in a country where Apple Pay remains unavailable.
Tecno’s Spark Go 2, launched in Bangladesh and now in India, offers enhanced durability, AI features, a brighter 120Hz display, and solid hardware at an affordable price. The device is expected to enter the Pakistani market soon at a similar price around PKR 23,000.