Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Visa has formed a new regional hub spanning Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman to accelerate digital payments and strengthen alignment with national transformation agendas. Led from Riyadh by Ali Bailoun, the move supports cashless economy targets, enhances client proximity, and builds on Visa’s growing infrastructure investments across the region.
Morocco has launched a $140 million startup funding programme under its Digital 2030 strategy to accelerate innovation and scale entrepreneurship. Announced at Digital Now Forum 2025, the initiative combines venture-building support, venture capital funding, and Technopark expansion, with targets of 1,000 startups by 2026 and 3,000 by 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s Absher platform processed more than 38 million electronic transactions in November, driven largely by digital identity services and document access. With over 28 million unified digital IDs issued, Absher continues to play a central role in advancing secure, integrated digital government services across the Kingdom.
Egypt and IT Park Uzbekistan are exploring cooperation to support tech startups, attract investment, and connect innovation ecosystems. The talks aim to help Egyptian companies expand into Central Asia, strengthen bilateral technology ties, and leverage incentives and digital hubs in both countries to accelerate startup growth and cross-border investment.
Vodafone Egypt has expanded its 5G network to over 3,000 urban areas nationwide while renewing its partnership with Mohamed Salah as 5G ambassador. The move strengthens digital connectivity, supports advanced applications across multiple sectors, and reinforces Vodafone’s role in accelerating Egypt’s digital transformation.
Egypt’s telecom regulator has warned of rising smartphone hacking attempts linked to unknown international calls and suspicious messages. The NTRA urged users to avoid answering unfamiliar calls, refrain from opening unknown links, and strengthen app security to protect personal data from cyber threats.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and ADAFSA have launched an AI-powered Smart Metre Project to enhance water efficiency and sustainable farming. Using real-time data and digital monitoring, the initiative improves water management across farms and supports food and water security as part of Abu Dhabi’s smart agriculture strategy.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has delayed the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register to January 1, 2026, extending deadlines for handset registration and giving traders more time to comply. The system aims to block illegal mobile phones, with final implementation linked to pending tax decisions by the revenue authority.
Telecom operators in Malaysia and Bangladesh are reinforcing emergency communications through partnerships with humanitarian agencies. CelcomDigi is supporting flood relief with connectivity, alerts, and on-the-ground aid, while Edotco Bangladesh is collaborating with the Red Crescent to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warnings, and network resilience in climate-vulnerable communities.
Visa has formed a new regional hub covering Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman to accelerate digital payments and align with national transformation agendas. Led from Riyadh by Ali Bailoun, the move strengthens client proximity, supports cashless targets such as Vision 2030, and builds on Visa’s expanding regional infrastructure investments.