Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Batelco has teamed up with Thales to launch an IoT connectivity management platform at Gitex Global 2024, simplifying IoT device management for businesses and enhancing operational efficiency through advanced technological integration.
Oman’s postpaid mobile subscriptions rose by 9% in the first half of 2024, reaching 1.89 million, while prepaid subscriptions dropped by 4.5%. Fixed internet subscriptions grew by 6.5%, but fixed-line subscriptions declined by 21.7%. Muscat led in fixed analogue lines, despite a 71.1% drop in this category.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy has launched a program to digitize all payments to government institutions, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce fraud. The GovPay app is already connected to 16 institutions, with more expected to join by January 2025, streamlining processes and eliminating inefficiencies and corruption.
GO Telecom completed a SAR 86.7 million acquisition of a 51% stake in Ejad Tech, enhancing its IT services and digital transformation capabilities as part of its business expansion strategy.
Lenovo, in partnership with Alat, has begun construction on a new $2 billion manufacturing hub in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The facility, set to produce Saudi-made laptops and servers, aligns with Vision 2030 goals and is expected to create thousands of jobs while enhancing Lenovo’s regional presence in the MEA market.
Jazz is set to phase out its 3G services by November 2024, becoming Pakistan’s first telecom operator to do so. This transition is part of the “4G for All” initiative, aimed at enhancing mobile broadband access and improving communication infrastructure to support digital transformation and economic growth in the country.
The government encourages traditional media outlets to enhance their digital presence and invest in training the next generation of journalists.
A new study shows that nearly 348 million people in the Arab world use the internet, with 228 million active social media users. TikTok is the most popular social media app in the region, particularly in the Gulf, while Facebook and YouTube lead in North Africa and Egypt, respectively.
Tunisia is preparing for the rollout of 5G technology, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure and accelerate its digital transformation. The country’s telecom providers have submitted applications for 5G licenses, with the launch expected by the end of the year.
The ITA has partnered with Egypt’s Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) to accelerate sustainable industrial projects in the MENA region. The partnership aims to reduce carbon emissions, support decarbonization in key sectors, and help Egypt become a leader in low-carbon industrial goods. It also expands ITA’s MENA Programme.