Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Vodafone Oman has become the first communications service provider in the GCC region to upgrade its core network on Ericsson’s latest cloud infrastructure. This seamless transition prepares the company for 5G deployment and enhances network performance while supporting Oman’s digital transformation goals in line with Vision 2040.
Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has partnered with Microsoft to support startups and foster digital innovation. The initiative aims to provide mentorship, access to technologies like AI and cloud computing, and training programs to enhance competitiveness, aligning with Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and strengthening its tech ecosystem.
Indonesia is set to launch SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband within two weeks, following approvals from Indonesian authorities. This initiative aims to enhance internet accessibility across remote areas and the new capital city, promising a significant boost in connectivity and digital inclusion for the geographically diverse nation.
Wajeez, a logistics startup, has expanded from smaller cities in eastern Algeria to the capital, Algiers, and is now planning to grow across Africa. The platform, offering food delivery and personalized shopping, includes features like loyalty programs and Wajeez Gold subscription for exclusive benefits. It has also expanded to Senegal.
Maroc Telecom reported a 6.1% increase in its customer base, reaching 79.7 million subscribers by September 2024, driven by growth in postpaid services and fiber-optic offerings. The company also expanded its international operations, achieving MAD 13.91 billion in revenue, underscoring its strategy for digital connectivity across Africa.
NayaOne has launched Saudi Arabia’s first fully Saudi-hosted VDI platform, enabling financial institutions to accelerate product development and testing while addressing data sovereignty. Supported by AstroLabs and the UK government, NayaOne is poised to drive fintech innovation aligned with Vision 2030’s goals.
Sabic reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth at the Boao Forum for Asia 2025, emphasizing the importance of innovation, collaboration, and cross-regional partnerships. The company highlighted its investments in China, including a new petrochemical complex and plans for an engineering thermoplastics plant, and discussed the chemical industry’s role in the energy transition.
Telecom Egypt and SubCom’s completion of dual subsea cable landings in Egypt enhances the SEA-ME-WE-6 network’s connectivity and capacity, supporting a critical Eurasia telecom corridor and strengthening digital infrastructure between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Ecobank and Google Cloud have partnered to transform African financial services using AI and advanced analytics. The collaboration aims to enhance payment and remittance solutions, improve SME financing, and develop user-friendly digital banking platforms across 33+ African countries, supported by Google Cloud’s technology and expert services.
Huawei’s Digital Morocco Summit in Marrakech brought together over 200 leaders to discuss AI and digital transformation under the theme “Amplify Intelligence: Shaping the Future with Digital Morocco 2030.” The summit featured key speakers from government, industry, and academia, addressing AI’s impact on various sectors in Morocco’s digital future.