Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt’s FRA is finalizing regulations for electronic real estate platforms, focusing on real estate investment funds as the preferred legal framework. Ongoing stakeholder consultations and recent accounting reforms aim to enhance financing options, market stability, and investor protection in the real estate sector.
The PTA, in collaboration with NCCIA, raided a telecom franchise in Islamabad involved in illegal SIM issuance. Authorities seized 30,000 SIMs, six BVS devices, and arrested two individuals. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat SIM-related fraud and misuse of biometric verification systems.
Presight and Dow Jones Factiva have signed an MoU to co-develop AI-driven risk and compliance solutions. The tools will combine regulatory-grade data with sovereign-scale AI to deliver predictive intelligence for financial institutions, regulators, and sovereign entities, with initial rollout in the UAE and wider GCC.
Women in Bangladesh are underrepresented in STEM fields, comprising only 21% of the workforce in these sectors. Despite making up 42% of the overall workforce, efforts are needed to empower women through education, mentorship, and policy reforms to bridge the gender gap and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
The Middle East is emerging as a global leader in AI, with national strategies like Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE’s AI Strategy 2031 propelling the region’s tech growth. With advancements in agentic AI, smart city projects, and a focus on reskilling the workforce, the region is poised for long-term economic success.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized Saudi Arabia’s Digital Regulatory Academy (DRA) for its role in advancing digital capabilities globally. The DRA has contributed to the Telecommunications and Technology Assistance Project and trained over 900 individuals from 100+ countries, furthering the nation’s leadership in digital regulation and transformation.
The UAE Verify platform has issued over 21.7 million certified digital documents since 2022, enabling instant verification of official documents without physical copies. Using blockchain technology, the platform enhances data security, authenticity, and privacy, supporting the UAE’s digital transformation and facilitating seamless information sharing across government and private sectors.
Dubai Internet City will showcase its AI-driven ecosystem at AI Everything Global from February 4-6, 2025. The event will focus on AI’s transformative power for equitable and viable development. The hub brings together 4,000+ businesses and supports innovation, fostering growth in AI technologies aligned with Dubai’s digital economy goals.
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports declined by 7.46% in the first half of FY 2024-25, totaling $733.425 million. While monthly imports showed a slight increase, the year-on-year growth remained negative. Locally manufactured handsets reached 28.43 million, with smartphones accounting for 65% of the market.
Naseej for Technology will showcase its innovative digital solutions at LEAP25 in Riyadh from February 9-12, 2025. With a focus on building integrated, future-proof digital ecosystems, Naseej aims to empower organizations across various sectors. Their solutions align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for economic diversification and digital transformation.