Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development ranked first among ministries and second overall in the 2024 Digital Transformation Index. The award, presented during the Digital Government Forum, highlights the Kingdom’s leadership in digital transformation, with notable achievements in AI, e-services, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Turk Telekom has extended its fixed-line concession in Turkey until 2050 with a $3B payment plan and $17B investment pledge. The agreement secures the operator’s role in providing and developing fixed telecom infrastructure, with authorities expecting a $20B contribution to the economy.
GoDaddy is helping MENA businesses boost sales growth in 2025 with AI-powered tools. The company offers solutions to optimize e-commerce, digital marketing, and customer engagement, enabling businesses to build strong digital presences, streamline operations, and attract new customers through localized platforms and targeted strategies.
Orange Foundation Jordan partnered with DigiSkills to launch a coding academy program aimed at upskilling Jordanian university graduates in programming. This initiative is part of a larger effort to enhance digital skills and boost employability in the labor market.
Pan Asia Bank has partnered with TerraPay to enable instant cross-border money transfers directly to bank accounts in Sri Lanka. This collaboration allows Sri Lankan migrants worldwide to send money quickly through TerraPay’s network, facilitating real-time transactions to over 1.5 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets globally.
Ooredoo signed an MoU with the Ad-Dakhiliyah Governorate to sponsor the Riyada award and provide training for SMEs and officials, boosting digital transformation. The ‘SpringForward’ program will enhance entrepreneurship skills among young Omanis, supporting economic diversification and sustainability.
ZTE and Turkcell have completed Europe’s first dynamic RIS trial for mmWave 5G-A networks. The trial demonstrated significant improvements in network KPIs, highlighting RIS technology’s potential to enhance mmWave coverage, throughput, and user experience. The collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing 5G-A and future 6G technologies.
Oman’s mobile subscriptions hit 8 million by June 2025, up 15.7% year-on-year. Broadband demand surged, with mobile broadband at 5.5 million and IoT connections doubling to 1.56 million. Fibre and 5G adoption grew, while legacy ADSL and fixed 4G services continued to decline, reflecting a shift to next-gen networks.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released its Q2 2024 Quality of Service Survey, revealing that Zong and Jazz excelled in network speed and latency, while Ufone and Telenor lagged behind. The survey assessed key performance metrics across 23 cities, including data speeds and call connection times.
IEC Telecom led the digital transformation efforts at the Emirates Shipping Congress, part of UAE Maritime Week. The company showcased advancements in maritime connectivity, focusing on satellite technologies like Starlink, and highlighted its OptiView platform to improve network management, ensuring efficient and agile operations for the maritime sector.