Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bangla Phone Ltd has been granted a Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licence by the BTRC, after an 11-year wait. The licence allows the company to build and manage a fibre-optic transmission network, improving broadband access and reducing service costs. The move aims to expand telecom infrastructure across Bangladesh.
Saudi technology company Safa Soft is showcasing YUSUR.COM, an AI-driven Umrah package booking platform, at the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum…
Chari, a Moroccan retail-tech startup, has partnered with Visa to enhance financial inclusion and innovation in Morocco’s fintech ecosystem. The collaboration aims to expand Visa’s presence, facilitate digital payments, and integrate more merchants into the formal financial system, contributing to a more inclusive and accessible economic landscape.
Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector generated $28.9 billion in revenue in 2025, up 3.8 percent year-on-year. While profits declined due to high comparison effects and rising costs, demand for data, 5G, cloud, and fintech services continues to support long-term growth and digital transformation under Vision 2030.
MENA’s IT spending will rise 8.9% to $169 billion in 2026, driven by AI investments and data center expansion. Software and IT services growth reflect deep integration of generative AI, with CIOs urged to embed AI strategically to maintain competitive advantage.
SLT-MOBITEL has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s top telecommunications service provider in the PepperCube Tracker for August 2025, reaffirming its trusted status and commitment to innovation and customer excellence.
Zain sponsored the 11th e-Government Forum in Kuwait, emphasizing collaboration between public and private sectors for digital transformation. The forum featured discussions on enhancing digital services and showcased Zain’s latest innovations. CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals for Kuwait.
Telenor Pakistan has invested over $5 billion in the country, contributing more than Rs500 billion in taxes over 20 years. The company continues to serve 44 million customers while enhancing connectivity in northern Pakistan through 4G services and technological innovations, including achieving record-breaking data speeds and conducting a 5G trial.
Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities now permits direct university admission for technical school graduates in AI and computing, removing equivalency barriers and expanding the nation’s tech talent pipeline. This policy aligns with regional Middle Eastern efforts to integrate vocational and academic pathways.
Ncell Foundation has partnered with ZONTA, UNFPA, and UNICEF Nepal to launch the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” initiative. The campaign aims to raise awareness about child marriage in Nepal, with a focus on collective efforts to end this practice and promote gender equality.