Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Jordan has launched the region’s first Fintech Academy and applied lab, creating a national platform for AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and digital payments training. The initiative supports the Economic Modernization Vision and aims to build a new generation of fintech leaders, positioning Jordan as a regional hub for financial innovation.
Orange Jordan has sponsored the Model United Nations conference organised by the New English School in Amman, bringing together over 200 students for a three-day UN simulation. The initiative reinforces Orange’s commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development, and digital responsibility by providing young people with platforms for debate, collaboration, and innovation.
Careem Pay has expanded its remittance services across key corridors, enabling faster wallet transfers to Egypt, cash pickup in Lebanon, and enhanced options for the Philippines. With coverage in over 35 countries, the platform targets major expatriate communities, simplifying cross-border payments with speed, affordability, and convenience.
Egypt will host the Middle East and Africa’s first all-AI global summit in February, bringing over 350 companies and innovators to Cairo. The event supports Egypt’s national AI strategy, highlights its regional leadership, and connects local innovation with global markets across sectors from cloud and telecom to healthcare and fintech.
Vodafone Egypt says any price increases will be tied to rising fuel and electricity costs, pending regulator approval. All operators have submitted tariff requests as operating expenses climb. Despite pressures, Vodafone posted 46 percent revenue growth in 2025 and plans continued investment in networks, digital services, and local device manufacturing.
Telenor’s exits from Pakistan and Thailand leave Bangladesh and Malaysia as its last Asian strongholds. For the first time, senior executives have acknowledged that Grameenphone could be part of future deals, even as they reaffirm “business as usual.” The shift reflects a broader strategy to reduce exposure outside core Nordic markets.
The UAE is accelerating smart city leadership by expanding high-efficiency data centres that power AI, IoT, and real-time urban systems. With Dubai and Abu Dhabi now in the global top five, data infrastructure is becoming the digital backbone of governance, mobility, energy, and public services nationwide.
Gulf Edge and Google Cloud are transforming Thai telco AIS into an AI-native enterprise using Gemini Enterprise, creating an agentic AI platform across operations and customer touchpoints. The model will scale across Gulf Group, supported by a new AI Center of Excellence, positioning Thailand for large-scale enterprise AI adoption.
Zimbabwe’s telecoms regulator has denied claims that a new cybercrime law is being enforced, stating that digital offences remain governed by the existing Criminal Law Act. POTRAZ warned against misinformation, urging verification through official channels as cyber laws globally raise concerns around free speech, privacy, and enforcement powers.
Cameroon and Madagascar are accelerating digital inclusion through major connectivity projects targeting rural and underserved regions. Cameroon’s Camtel is expanding mobile coverage nationwide, while Madagascar’s Smart Village initiative combines satellite connectivity and solar power to deliver digital services, skills training, and economic opportunities to remote communities.