Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Al-Itqan Legal Group and Amazon Payment Services have partnered to advance Kuwait’s digital payments ecosystem. The collaboration aims to develop legal frameworks, enhance electronic transaction infrastructure, and support payment technology adoption, aligning with Kuwait’s vision for sustainable digital transformation and economic growth.
Visa has launched the Tap-to-Add Card feature in Egypt, allowing cardholders to easily add Visa contactless cards to digital wallets with a simple tap. This innovation enhances security by eliminating manual entry and offers a faster, safer alternative to traditional methods, supporting Egypt’s digital payment landscape and cashless goals.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed highlighted the critical role of SMEs in Bangladesh’s economy, urging enhanced financial access, expanded technological use, and stronger global market integration. He called for reforms in financing approaches, digital data infrastructure for SMEs, and greater export diversification. Salehuddin also emphasized women’s workforce participation through SMEs and advocated transparency in SME development organizations. He attributed the smaller national budget to reduced waste in government spending.
Saudi Arabia leads globally in mobile shopping with two-thirds of purchases via smartphones but faces high payment failures and friction, despite advanced infrastructure under Vision 2030. The kingdom’s digital payment adoption is strong, yet user experience issues reveal gaps needing urgent attention for seamless cashless transition.
stc has partnered with MEW to supply 500,000 smart electricity meters in Kuwait, supporting the country’s Vision 2035. This project aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce wastage, and improve electricity management. The collaboration underscores stc’s commitment to digital transformation and sustainable development in Kuwait.
UMT has become Pakistan’s first university to launch a fully immersive virtual campus in the Metaverse. This groundbreaking initiative allows students and visitors to explore the campus interactively, access admissions portals, and engage with faculty. UMT is redefining education for the digital age, fostering global collaboration and career development.
SecurityPal, a Kathmandu-based startup, helps tech companies streamline security questionnaires using a combination of AI and human expertise. The company has grown rapidly, reaching $10 million in revenue and securing major clients like Airtable and Figma. SecurityPal aims to build a tech hub in Nepal while providing competitive salaries and opportunities.
Smart Cell has launched a new Smart Centre in Kathmandu to improve customer service and provide detailed information about its products and services. The company plans to expand further with more centres, continuing its growth as Nepal’s third-largest telecom provider.
Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P. reported third-quarter sales of KWD 500.61 million, a rise from KWD 485.11 million last year, with net income increasing to KWD 54.12 million. For the nine months, sales grew to KWD 1,445.46 million, but net income dropped to KWD 135.53 million.
The “MY KUWAIT ID” app introduces three verification levels: Medium, High, and Verified, each offering different features based on the registration method. These levels provide users with secure access to services such as civil ID, document verification, authentication, and electronic signatures, ensuring a high standard of data protection.