Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sri Lanka’s AI Asia Summit 2025 showcased the country’s rapid progress toward becoming South Asia’s AI innovation hub. With the launch of the Xavier robotics platform, strong government participation and industry-wide demonstrations of applied AI, the summit highlighted Sri Lanka’s readiness to move from experimentation to large-scale deployment across sectors.
ABHI has expanded its operations in Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Bayt, enabling employees to access earned wages ahead of payday and improving financial ease for workers. The deal supports broader financial inclusion goals and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030. ABHI continues to grow regionally, including launching a microfinance bank with TPL Corp.
Aramco and Pasqal have deployed Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer, powered by neutral-atom technology and installed in Dhahran. The system, backed by Wa’ed Ventures, will accelerate quantum research and industrial applications across energy and materials. The partnership includes training and research programs to build Saudi Arabia’s quantum talent and strengthen its technology ecosystem.
Initial Saudi Group has launched the country’s first mobile engineering service, offering SMEs rapid, data-driven building maintenance supported by AI, IoT and 24/7 monitoring. With nationwide coverage and predictive maintenance capabilities, the service aims to deliver speed, reliability and cost efficiency while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on digitalization and SME support.
Center3 has entered a colocation partnership with Sahara Net, enabling the ICT firm to deliver dedicated hosting services from Center3’s facilities across Saudi Arabia. The deal supports both companies’ goals of expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing service reliability and driving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions for a scalable, interconnected and innovation-ready digital ecosystem.
Saudi Arabia’s Communications Ministry, together with GO Telecom, has launched the GO AI HUB platform—a unified national gateway for discovering, comparing and adopting AI solutions. The platform supports both government and private sectors, aligns with Vision 2030 goals and enhances the Kingdom’s position as a regional innovation and digital-economy leader.
MWC25 Doha marks the Middle East’s first Mobile World Congress, strengthening Qatar’s position as a regional digital hub. Backed by GSMA and Qatar’s ICT ministry, the event aims to drive investment, policy dialogue and innovation across 5G, AI and mobile broadband. With rising regional momentum, it will help shape MENA’s future digital economy.
Eutelsat and du have renewed their multi-year broadcasting partnership, combining du’s teleport infrastructure with Eutelsat’s satellite capabilities to deliver premium content across MENA. The agreement strengthens du’s position as a key regional partner and reinforces the importance of the 7/8° West hotspot, ensuring reliable, high-quality broadcast services for millions of viewers.
PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan is in its final regulatory stage, with PTA expected to issue the NOC by the end of November. With CCP conditions already in place and further approvals pending from SBP and SECP, the merger is poised to reshape Pakistan’s telecom market ahead of the critical 2026 5G auction.
Ooredoo Oman is marking National Day with a customer-friendly promotion that automatically enters all existing and new Manzili Home Internet users into a draw for a high-speed WiFi Mesh device. The offer enhances whole-home coverage and stands out as a practical, festive incentive in a market filled with standard promotions.