Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Mastercard has announced new partnerships with STC Bank in Saudi Arabia and MEPS in Jordan to expand digital and cross-border payments. The collaborations enable faster international transfers via Mastercard Move and introduce Click to Pay for e-commerce, strengthening secure, transparent, and frictionless payment experiences across both markets.
Orange Jordan topped Jordan’s 2025 mobile network benchmarks, achieving the highest scores in both voice and data performance. Independent drive tests covering 8,000 km confirmed superior in-motion connectivity, reinforcing the operator’s leadership in service quality and its role in advancing the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
The PTA has launched a new facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to protect their SIM cards during long stays abroad. By coordinating with operators and meeting basic usage or payment requirements, subscribers can retain their numbers. The authority also warned against scams and urged responsible SIM ownership.
Woliz has raised $2.2m to build an AI and fintech platform that digitises neighbourhood retail in Morocco. The startup empowers small merchants with enterprise-grade tools for ordering, sales tracking, and financial access, aiming to expand across African markets facing similar retail and credit challenges.
Nepal Telecom has approved a Rs 30 per share cash dividend from its FY2024/25 profits. The company posted Rs 3.819bn in revenue and Rs 600m in profit, with management signaling potential bonus shares ahead, as it prepares for capital needs tied to the MEGA project and rising data demand.
Nepal Telecom has cancelled a Rs5bn billing system tender, removing Huawei as the country prepares for standalone 5G. Officials cite procurement law flaws and competition concerns, while critics point to geopolitical pressure. The move follows corruption probes and signals a shift away from long-standing Chinese technology partnerships.
Pakistan’s education ministry and Tech Valley have partnered to roll out Canva for Education nationwide, giving K–12 institutions free access to premium creative tools. The initiative combines secure digital access with a “Canva Champion” training model to build long-term teaching capacity and accelerate digital, innovative learning across public schools.
Oman has invested $8.8bn in transport, logistics, and digital infrastructure, driving rapid sector transformation. The funding has expanded ports, cargo capacity, and public service digitization, strengthened workforce localization, and improved execution of major projects, reinforcing Oman’s position as a regional logistics and digital hub.
BSNL and Viasat are upgrading the Indian Navy’s satellite communications using a hybrid L-band and Ka-band architecture. The project enables a multi-band, multi-constellation strategy, delivering higher throughput, expanded coverage, and resilient, mission-critical connectivity for naval platforms, with installation beginning this month.
The UAE has launched a fully digital service allowing parents to secure a two-year residence permit for newborns in 48 hours via the ICP app or portal. The paperless process reduces bureaucracy, eases HR workloads, and supports the government’s “Zero Bureaucracy” initiative, enabling faster, anywhere access for expatriate families.