Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, met with UNDP Resident Representative Asmaa Shalabi to discuss enhancing cooperation in transportation, telecommunications, and digital transformation. The talks focused on supporting joint initiatives in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision and the SDGs 2030.
Huawei hosted the Bahrain leg of the ME&CA Commercial Roadshow, showcasing ICT solutions for key sectors. The event emphasized Bahrain’s digital transformation and Vision 2030 goals. Highlights included Huawei’s new eKit platform for SMEs, the Commercial Market Growth Incentive Program, and partnerships with stc Bahrain to develop 5.5G networks and ICT training programs.
Smartphone shipments in the Middle East (excluding Turkey) grew by 20% in Q2 2024, reaching 11.5 million units. Samsung led with a 28% market share, followed by Xiaomi with 20%, and TRANSSION with 16%. The region saw strong growth in key markets, with significant contributions from affordable models and strategic pricing.
Key Takeaways: Qatar, represented by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), and Brazil, represented by the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), have…
Kuwait has achieved remarkable success in meeting key Sustainable Development Goals, including healthcare, access to services, and waste management. These accomplishments align with Kuwait Vision 2035, focusing on a private-sector-driven economy, infrastructure development, and sustainability. Ongoing projects include renewable energy, education, and large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
Kenya and Nigeria are tightening oversight of digital lending with new regulations. Kenya’s CBK has licensed 153 digital credit providers under laws to curb predatory practices, while Nigeria’s DEON Regulations mandate registration, ethical recovery, fair interest rates, and data protections to safeguard consumers in a rapidly expanding credit market.
UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan co-hosted the Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024 conference in Amman on October 30 and 31. The event focused on digital transformation, featuring discussions on AI’s role in media, youth engagement, and strategies for enhancing media literacy across various sectors.
The DXB Female Founders event series, sponsored by Google Cloud, aims to empower women entrepreneurs in the UAE. Hosted at Google Cloud’s Dubai office, the series offers workshops, expert sessions, and mentorship to support women in scaling their businesses and achieving success in a competitive landscape.
Pakistan’s Ministry of IT has launched the Right of Way One-Window Operation, streamlining the process for telecom operators to obtain NOCs. This platform allows for electronic applications, real-time tracking, and online payments, accelerating fiber optic network rollout and contributing to the Digital Pakistan Vision.
Ericsson has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordanian telco Umniah to enhance 3G and 4G networks in Jordan. This partnership will see the deployment of Ericsson’s advanced radio system products and the utilization of additional spectrum to expand network capacity and coverage, improving mobile broadband services across major cities.