Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egyptian fintech Octane raised $5.2 million led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures, and SC Holding to expand its digital fleet expense management platform across Egypt and MENA. The platform consolidates fuel, maintenance, and petty cash payments into a single wallet with AI features for fraud detection and route optimization, serving 1,600+ corporate clients nationwide.
Oman has launched a virtual tour service, enabling global audiences to explore its iconic landscapes and modern infrastructure from home. The first phase highlights landmarks like Khor Rori, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The project aims to enhance Oman’s digital presence and promote the country’s cultural and natural beauty.
Vodafone Egypt has launched nationwide 5G services, providing ultra-fast, reliable connectivity to consumers and businesses. Featuring innovative technology like the Adaptive Interference Free system, Vodafone’s rollout supports sectors from gaming to healthcare and aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 digital goals. The company offers 5G access to all customers at no extra cost, with plans for rapid coverage expansion.
Google Pay is set to launch in Pakistan by mid-March 2025, allowing users to link debit and credit cards to Google Pay for seamless contactless payments. The service, in collaboration with Visa, Mastercard, and local banks, will help boost Pakistan’s growing digital payments sector, initially focusing on basic payments.
Zong, Pakistan’s leading cellular and digital services provider, has achieved the TIA-942-C Rated-3 Certification for its Data Center at Zong HQ in Islamabad. This certification reinforces Zong’s commitment to providing advanced data services and robust infrastructure, ensuring high security and reliability for its customers.
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, represented Pakistan at the GSMA roundtable on spectrum challenges at the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona. He emphasized global collaboration for equitable spectrum allocation and advancing telecom infrastructure to bridge digital divides.
AfICTA and EiTESAL are supporting Egyptian and African IT firms to join the 24 Fintech conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 3 to 5. This event, crucial for financial technology across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for digital transformation and offers substantial networking and showcasing opportunities.
Sri Lanka’s data consumption surged by 11% in 2024, with mobile data making up nearly 69% of the total consumption. Despite a 6% decline in fixed broadband subscriptions, mobile broadband continued to grow. Over half the population actively uses platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, highlighting the shift to mobile data.
The PTA and NDMA are partnering to improve emergency response in Pakistan, utilizing telecom infrastructure for automated services. Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized collaboration in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and agricultural technology to address Pakistan’s vulnerabilities, while proposing the creation of a National Digital Commission for unified governance.
Qatar’s digital commerce sector is expected to reach $7.29bn by the end of 2024, with a projected CAGR of 21.70%. The sector’s growth is driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and AI. However, challenges like market saturation and regulatory issues remain, as businesses adapt to evolving digital landscapes.