Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Omantel and Zain Omantel International are co-hosting the 11th annual Global Carrier Community Meeting (GCCM) in Muscat on November 5th and 6th. The event will showcase Salalah’s growth as a connectivity hub and feature masterclasses from Google and AWS, aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040.
The event was designed to foster cross-border collaboration and elevate Africa’s positioning in blockchain and AI-driven innovation ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast,…
Google expands its Gemini service to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, supporting English and nine Indian languages. The Gemini chatbot is now available on any device with 6 GB RAM, enhancing communication and productivity for users in over 165 regions worldwide.
APEBI will launch the APEBI VILLAGE at GITEX AFRICA 2025, a 510 m² space aimed at showcasing Morocco’s growing digital ecosystem. The village will bring together over 50 digital sector players, fostering partnerships and highlighting Morocco’s leadership in the African and global tech landscapes.
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed met with delegations from e& UAE and the Ministry of Justice to discuss collaboration in digital infrastructure and judicial services. The discussions focused on enhancing Sharjah’s telecommunications sector, supporting e&’s advancements in AI and fibre-optic networks, and modernizing the judicial system in the UAE.
Easypaisa has become Pakistan’s first digital retail bank after receiving commercial approval from the State Bank of Pakistan. Supported by Telenor and Alipay, Easypaisa has evolved from a mobile wallet service to a full-fledged digital bank, with 50 million registered users and a significant role in the country’s financial inclusion.
Bahrain’s Finance Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa discussed the country’s pioneering role in cryptocurrency regulation and economic development in a recent parliamentary session. The government is enhancing its legal framework to support cryptocurrency, attract investment, and streamline procedures to boost economic growth and private sector participation.
Oman Telecommunications Company Group reported a notable financial performance for the first nine months of 2023, with a 28.7% increase in net profit to RO251 million and a 10.6% growth in revenue to RO2.19 billion. Key growth drivers included increased transit voice revenue and device sales, alongside strong mobile postpaid and fixed broadband revenue. Subsidiary Zain Group also showed significant growth in both revenue and net profit.
Al Baraka Islamic Bank has successfully implemented SafeNet, an AI-driven fraud prevention solution, in collaboration with Global Payment Services (GPS). The solution enhances the security of digital payment channels, ensuring real-time transaction analysis and compliance with Central Bank of Bahrain regulations, while boosting customer trust in the bank’s services.
Krafters has partnered with IDEA to empower youth through sustainable entrepreneurship and livelihood development. The collaboration will offer specialized training in financial inclusion, digital marketing, and business development, with a focus on skills training for marginalized communities, including transgender individuals, to foster economic growth and inclusion.