Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment has launched “Activate,” a state-of-the-art active gaming facility in City Centre Mirdif, Dubai, in partnership with Activate Games. This innovative venue features nine dynamic game rooms with over 50 interactive games, suitable for players aged six and up, combining physical activity with gaming entertainment.
Flat6Labs has partnered with Tamwilcom to accelerate the growth of Moroccan startups, focusing on sectors like AgriTech, FinTech, and AI. This collaboration, supported by the IFC, offers funding, mentorship, and business development to boost Morocco’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster innovation, digital transformation, and economic growth.
Easypaisa has become Pakistan’s first Digital Retail Bank after receiving approval from the State Bank of Pakistan. This transition from a microfinance bank to a digital bank marks a significant milestone in the country’s financial services landscape, offering comprehensive banking solutions entirely online to millions of Pakistanis.
Zain Kuwait partners with DHL to adopt GoGreen Plus, using Sustainable Aviation Fuel to cut air freight emissions by up to 80%. This initiative supports Zain’s net-zero 2050 goal, complementing its renewable energy, AI-driven efficiency, and robust sustainability programs, reinforcing its leadership in telecom climate action.
Veon and Engro have secured all regulatory approvals to combine their telecom infrastructure assets in Pakistan. Engro will acquire Deodar from Veon’s Jazz, enabling Jazz to operate as an asset-light company while maintaining service leases, supporting Pakistan’s digital transformation and infrastructure growth.
General Assembly Bahrain and Advantari Digital Solutions have partnered to connect skilled graduates with industry opportunities, combining education and real-world experience to strengthen Bahrain’s digital talent pipeline. The partnership includes collaborative events and aims to foster innovation and growth in the tech sector.
The Jordanian Armed Forces and Orange Jordan have renewed their telecommunications services agreement, ensuring continued provision of fixed-line, internet, and communication services. The partnership, which has lasted over 20 years, underscores the strong relationship between the company and the armed forces in supporting national security and communication needs.
Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile have successfully completed the first-ever broadband video call between unmodified smartphones in Japan using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite. This achievement paves the way for expanded mobile coverage in remote and disaster-affected areas, with plans for broader satellite-to-mobile broadband services in Japan by late 2026.
Visa has launched the Tap-to-Add Card feature in Egypt, allowing cardholders to easily add Visa contactless cards to digital wallets with a simple tap. This innovation enhances security by eliminating manual entry and offers a faster, safer alternative to traditional methods, supporting Egypt’s digital payment landscape and cashless goals.
Al Moammar Information Systems Co. (MIS) sold its entire investment in OpenAI for $8.4 million, earning a profit of $3.4 million. The sale follows other strategic moves in AI and digital infrastructure, including partnerships and contracts in Saudi Arabia. MIS’s 2024 profits saw a 356% increase.