Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The first ITU Embedded AI Focus Group meeting, hosted by Turkcell in Istanbul, brought together global experts to discuss AI-native networks. The summit emphasized the integration of AI in telecom networks for smarter, more efficient infrastructures. Key industry leaders stressed the need for international standards in AI-based networks.
Muscat Governorate has been ranked in the Advanced Tier for digital transformation under the Tahawul programme, following the digitisation of 24 municipal services. This achievement highlights Muscat’s commitment to Oman Vision 2040 and sets a benchmark for smart governance, improving accessibility, transparency, and efficiency for residents and businesses.
NymCard has raised $33 million in Series B funding, led by QED Investors, to enhance its embedded finance platform across MENA. The investment will strengthen its payment infrastructure solutions in card issuing, embedded lending, and money movement. NymCard’s modular APIs empower businesses to innovate and scale across diverse markets.
Nepal’s Communication Minister, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced plans to modernize state-owned media, ensuring wider access and relevance in the digital age. Radio Nepal and NTV will be made available to all Nepalis, with a focus on inclusivity. Restructuring of state media and the regulation of social media are also underway.
The Spain Oman Private Equity Fund (SOPEF) is investing up to €40 million in Making Science Marketing & AdTech, aiming to boost its digital marketing capabilities. This strategic investment fosters Spanish-Omani economic ties and supports Making Science’s expansion into the Middle East, enhancing its global competitiveness.
Awfar.com, a leading e-commerce solutions provider, has joined forces with Value Maker Studio (VMS) to empower Saudi startups. Awfar.com’s expertise in customer engagement and e-commerce complements VMS’s venture studio capabilities. This partnership aims to nurture entrepreneurial talent, simplify market entry, and drive innovation in the Saudi Arabian startup scene. Additionally, VMS is launching a “Bridge Program” in 2024, assisting Egyptian tech startups in expanding into the Saudi market, offering vital resources and connections to investors and mentors.
OSP Cyber Academy has partnered with Bahrain’s National Cyber Security Centre to deliver cyber safety education to 70,000 students. The initiative includes four gamified courses, tailored for different age groups, designed to teach children about online safety and cybersecurity. The courses aim to enhance knowledge retention through interactive learning.
Khazna, an Egyptian fintech startup, has raised $16 million in pre-Series B funding, bringing its total funding to over $63 million. The company provides financial services like salary advances and microloans to low-income workers. It plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and apply for a digital banking license in Egypt.
· Single-sided M.2 2230 · Gen 4×4 performance Dubai, UAE – July 8, 2025: Kingston Digital Europe Co LLP, the…
The Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has deployed SymphonyAI’s AI-based anti-money laundering (AML) technology to enhance its transaction monitoring and compliance processes across multiple regions. The scalable platform improves detection accuracy, reduces false positives, and adapts to evolving regulations, strengthening BBK’s fight against financial crime.