Jeanette Whyte from GSMA advocates for reducing taxes on smartphones and telecom services in Pakistan to enhance the digital economy. She highlights affordable smartphones as crucial for bridging the digital divide and promoting economic empowerment through broader digital participation.
Iran and Cuba are strengthening cooperation in ICT, focusing on artificial intelligence, e-government, and digital economy. Both countries plan to exchange knowledge and expertise, with Iran’s private sector playing a key role in supporting Cuba’s technological growth.
Apple Pay has been launched in Oman, supported by major banks, providing users a secure way to make contactless payments. This development, part of Oman Vision 2040, enhances the digital payment landscape alongside Samsung Pay, furthering the country’s shift towards a cashless society.
Iran has seen a decrease in mobile phone imports, with a 16% drop in volume and an 8% decrease in value. The decline coincides with ongoing restrictions, including a ban on new Apple phone models, amid stringent US sanctions.
Orange Jordan has launched a new campaign, “Start Now and Don’t Wait, The Fastest Internet is Here,” to provide the fastest internet for enhanced online learning and entertainment. The initiative offers discounts and the chance for 100 customers to win free six-month subscriptions.
Ooredoo has finalized a landmark financing deal to enhance its data center operations, supporting the expansion and upgrade of infrastructure for AI and cloud services. This strategic move aims to address the increasing demand for high-capacity digital services.
Shift, a Jeddah-based mobility company, has secured an $83 million investment from Merak Capital to enhance its mobility services across Saudi Arabia. This funding aims to expand and improve technology in sectors such as tourism and transportation.
Qist Bazaar, a Karachi-based fintech, has raised $3.2 million in Series A funding to expand its BNPL services across Pakistan. The startup focuses on making essential goods accessible to the underbanked, enhancing both product offerings and technological infrastructure.
Positive Technologies conducted cybersecurity workshops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, focusing on enhancing financial sector defenses. The training addressed cyberthreat evolution, vulnerabilities in banking systems, and strategies to prevent data leaks and financial losses.
Saudi Arabia plans to expand data center capacity to 64MW, with an investment between SAR 1.95 billion and SAR 2.5 billion, through a partnership between MIS and BSF Capital. This initiative supports the kingdom’s goal to boost its tech sector.
