Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia has launched its first drone delivery trial for postal parcels, in partnership with GACA and TGA. The initiative aims to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce delivery times, and advance digital transformation under Vision 2030, marking a key milestone in the Kingdom’s adoption of innovative transport solutions.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported blocking around 1.3 million URLs due to “anti-Islam, indecent, and immoral” content. This action follows a petition to ban TikTok in the country, highlighting the platform’s failure to prevent blasphemous material. The PTA aims to enhance community guidelines compliance.
The Bangladesh government expects mobile operators to reduce internet prices soon after wholesale price cuts at key distribution layers. Policy support and infrastructure improvements, including access to Dark Fiber and DWDM, aim to lower costs for consumers. Mobile operators are urged to pass on these benefits to ease inflationary pressures.
Maroc Telecom’s H1 2025 revenue grew 0.9% to MAD 18.04 billion, driven by strong Moov Africa and fixed data growth offsetting domestic mobile declines. The company launched a transformation strategy and remains focused on network investments to support future growth.
At the Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad, telecom leaders discussed the critical role of smartphones in bridging Pakistan’s digital divide. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim emphasized the need for affordable smart devices and policy reforms. The summit also highlighted sustainability efforts and the telecom sector’s importance in driving economic growth and digital inclusion.
Nova raises $3.65 million to expand its AI-driven professional network and SaaS recruiting platform, focusing on Europe and the Middle East. The funding bolsters its mission to offer a vetted, high-quality LinkedIn alternative improving talent matching and recruitment processes.
China has inaugurated a rail-sea logistics corridor connecting Chengdu to Morocco’s Tanger Med port, shortening delivery times and enhancing trade efficiency. This corridor strengthens Sino-African trade ties and aligns with Morocco’s role as a key Belt and Road Initiative partner, fostering investment and regional market access.
Ransomware attacks have surged across Africa in 2024, with Nigeria ranking third in threat detections. High-profile incidents impacted finance, government, energy, and telecom sectors, involving notorious gangs like LockBit, Hunters, and BlackSuit. The growing digital economy faces escalating cyber risks, highlighting the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity defenses.
Liberia, ECOWAS, and the World Bank collaborate on a second subsea cable to connect five West African countries, improving network redundancy and digital infrastructure. This initiative aims to ensure more reliable internet access and strengthen regional connectivity beyond the current single ACE cable.
i4 Solutions has expanded its managed security services by integrating Cisco’s Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution. This advancement enhances cybersecurity capabilities for businesses in Qatar, allowing for comprehensive threat detection and response, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 to drive digital transformation and innovation.