Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has invested in Elon Musk’s xAI, acquiring an undisclosed stake. This move is part of OIA’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and invest in advanced technologies. xAI aims to lead AI innovation, with significant developments like its Grok-2 platform and upcoming Grok-3 model.
e& Egypt and Huawei have completed the first commercial trial of Huawei’s Eco High Gain antenna in Africa, significantly enhancing network coverage and data throughput. This trial boosts e& Egypt’s ability to improve service in urban and remote areas, laying the foundation for future 5G and 5.5G advancements.
The 4th Digital Technology Forum, under the patronage of Eng. Abdullah Amer Al-Swaha, will take place on October 9th in Riyadh. Focusing on “Synergizing for a Sustainable Digital Future,” the event will explore tech investments, regulatory collaboration, and digital infrastructure, bringing together leaders and innovators to shape the future of technology.
The Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has deployed SymphonyAI’s AI-based anti-money laundering (AML) technology to enhance its transaction monitoring and compliance processes across multiple regions. The scalable platform improves detection accuracy, reduces false positives, and adapts to evolving regulations, strengthening BBK’s fight against financial crime.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with China in space technology and telecommunications. During a meeting with Galaxy Space, the Chinese delegation expressed interest in investing in Pakistan’s space sector and collaborating on joint projects with local space institutions and telecom companies.
Mastercard has partnered with Scale to accelerate fintech growth across Africa and the Middle East. The collaboration aims to eliminate technical and commercial barriers for fintechs, PSPs, and telcos, enabling them to focus on core business and launch new products efficiently. The partnership benefits financial institutions, merchants, governments, and consumers by enhancing financial inclusion and access to digital services.
Atlas Cloud Services (ACS) has launched Morocco’s first sovereign cloud marketplace to assist businesses in digital transformation. Announced during the Move to Cloud event, the platform offers tailored solutions, including computing, storage, AI, and IoT, while streamlining cloud management and reducing operational costs for Moroccan enterprises.
Alibaba has launched operations in Morocco, marking its first expansion into Africa. The move aims to support Moroccan businesses in expanding exports, particularly to North America. Through partnerships and digital storefronts, Alibaba hopes to increase global export opportunities for Moroccan companies and diversify their export markets beyond the EU.
Sri Lanka is advancing its digital transformation to enhance competitiveness and revitalize the economy. The government has launched the “GovPay” initiative to digitize payments and reduce inefficiencies. With international support, Sri Lanka aims to achieve a $15 billion digital economy, investing in infrastructure and promoting innovation across sectors.
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has initiated the process of forming a pricing committee for Smart Telecom’s assets, which have remained inactive since the company’s license was revoked in 2014. The committee will assess and manage the company’s dormant assets in accordance with the 2022 asset management rules.