Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Iraq is moving closer to introducing satellite internet services as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discusses licensing requirements with SpaceX. The talks highlight Iraq’s commitment to digital transformation, attracting global technology investment, and expanding connectivity while maintaining sovereignty over its IT sector.
Oman’s MoTCIT seeks input from digital firms for its new public transport e-ticketing platform, part of broad regulatory reforms aligned with Vision 2040.
Gulf Business Solutions (GBS) has partnered with Huawei Cloud to offer secure, scalable cloud services in Saudi Arabia, supporting Vision 2030’s digital transformation. The collaboration will expand GBS’s cloud portfolio, helping public and private sector clients modernize IT infrastructure and drive digital change across various industries.
Pakistan’s Tapmad has entered Bangladesh through a partnership with Grameenphone to stream premium sports content, including the English Premier League and Asia Cup. The expansion marks Tapmad’s first international move as it targets South Asia’s fast-growing digital entertainment market.
Funding round led by Salica Oryx Fund, with participation from Plus VC to expand into the underserved premium luggage segment…
Luma AI’s expansion into Riyadh strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for AI innovation, supporting the development of Arabic-native generative AI systems and advancing partnerships across technology and creative industries. The initiative highlights growing investment in AI infrastructure, talent development, and regionally relevant AI applications across MENA.
The TIEC and Flat6Labs have selected startups for the Invest IT program, designed to support Egypt-based startups in becoming investment-ready. The program provides training, mentorship, and investor connections to help startups secure funding. It is divided into two phases: Preparation and Investor Engagement, aimed at fostering growth and investment opportunities.
A three-year partnership between ITIDA and 500 Global has helped Egyptian startups scale through accelerator training, funding access, and ecosystem development, supporting nearly 200 startups, creating over 1,300 jobs, and enabling regional and global expansion across AI, fintech, and digital services.
Standard Chartered’s fifth cohort of the Women in Tech accelerator programme, launched in partnership with DIFC Innovation Hub, has awarded a total of USD 100,000 in equity-free seed capital to the top three female-led tech startups in the UAE.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly shifting toward digital payments, with 67% of consumers now largely non-cash users, up 4% year-on-year. Visa’s report shows declining cash use across everyday categories as cards and mobile wallets gain ground, driven by convenience, security, rewards, and alignment with Vision 2030.