Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications, Abdullah Al-Swaha, reviewed telecom readiness for Hajj, highlighting 10,500 Wi-Fi access points and near-total 5G/4G coverage at holy sites. He also praised 200+ tech volunteers supported by Awon Tech Society, underscoring efforts to ensure seamless connectivity for pilgrims.
Islamabad’s new IT Park will open on August 14, featuring 120 offices, a startup incubator, a business support centre, and Pakistan’s first Tier III Data Centre. The park aims to boost collaboration across academia, industry, and policymakers, with plans underway for a similar facility near Karachi.
Pakistan’s Ignite freelance training programs have generated $1.65 billion and trained 4.6 million students, but lawmakers call for increased female participation to at least 50%. Ignite plans course expansions including AI, while oversight continues over PTCL’s leadership and sector developments.
Sheikh Nahyan inaugurated the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Dubai, highlighting the UAE’s digital transformation achievements and urging the region to build inclusive, resilient ecosystems. The summit fostered dialogue on AI, 5G, and regulatory cooperation across South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa.
Cyber fraud in Oman rose 35% in Q1 2025, fueled by fake websites, job scams, phishing, and cryptocurrency fraud. ROP urges public vigilance, reporting, and cybersecurity best practices while strengthening cooperation to combat rising threats targeting individuals—including children—and dismantling cross-border scam rings.
Morocco ranks 88th globally and 9th in Africa’s startup ecosystems, led by strong growth in Casablanca and Rabat. Supported by strategic initiatives and investment funds, Morocco is emerging as a North African tech hub despite funding and regulatory challenges.
Careem Pay now offers fast, affordable money transfers from the UAE to Jordan, supporting remittances in Jordanian Dinars with next-day processing. The service includes fee-free transfers for new users and discounts for Careem Plus members, facilitating easier support for expatriates and their families.
Jordan’s ICT sector has grown nearly tenfold in revenue since 2000, driven by royal support and strategic initiatives. With over 46,000 employees, expanding education programs, thriving startups, and growing exports, ICT has become a pillar of Jordan’s economy, supported by advancing telecom infrastructure and increased digital connectivity.
Toolmart, Iraq’s B2B e-commerce startup, raised seed funding led by Plus VC and Oasis500 to expand its tech-enabled, inventory-light procurement platform across the Middle East. With strong enterprise adoption and 38% Q1 2025 growth, Toolmart is digitizing industrial sourcing for sectors like oil & gas and construction.
Egypt’s FRA licenses 16 FinTech companies and enforces cybersecurity across 110 compliant institutions, promoting digital transformation in the non-banking sector. Recent regulations define infrastructure, digital identity, electronic contracting, and outsourcing requirements to ensure secure, stable financial markets amid rapid technology adoption.