Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Applications are now open for the second cohort of the Riyada Business Accelerator Program in Bahrain, aimed at tech startups with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). The six-month program offers mentorship, funding opportunities, and business strategy insights, helping startups enhance operational efficiency and connect with industry leaders and investors.
OnMobile and Vodafone Qatar have launched Buzzmo, an AI-powered communication platform designed for telcos. The platform will help over 800 enterprises in Qatar deliver personalized, multi-channel engagement campaigns across WhatsApp, SMS, RCS, and more, unlocking new revenue streams while advancing the region’s digital economy.
Bahrain lands the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable, boosting connectivity capacity tenfold and strengthening its role as a regional digital hub aligned with Economic Vision 2030.
Orange Jordan successfully participated in the MENA ICT Forum 2024, showcasing its innovations in telecom and digital solutions. The company highlighted its commitment to supporting startups and entrepreneurs, while also winning the “Digital Skills Development” award for its community programs. Orange continues to lead in digital transformation and innovation.
Morocco is investing nearly MAD 10 billion under Digital Morocco 2030 to expand AI adoption, create 240,000 jobs, and strengthen innovation in finance and healthcare. Despite challenges, the country is emerging as a North African leader in AI-driven digital transformation.
Dubai Internet City has contributed AED100 billion to Dubai’s GDP over the past 15 years, driving innovation and supporting the growth of the tech sector. The district has created over 125,000 jobs and attracted more than 4,000 businesses. It remains a key driver of Dubai’s digital economy and sustainability initiatives.
Pakistan is set to launch 5G services in June 2025, following a detailed rollout schedule presented by the Ministry of IT and Telecom. The plan includes spectrum auctions and policy reforms leading up to the service launch. This marks a key step in Pakistan’s digital transformation.
The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) in Saudi Arabia has introduced comprehensive regulations for digital content platforms to foster growth and transparency in the sector. These regulations are part of the IGNITE program and aim to create a conducive environment for the market, attract investments, and ensure user protection. The CST expects a significant expansion in the digital content platform market, with a projected 20% CAGR by 2030. Service providers are urged to comply with the regulations by the effective date of October 8, 2024, as Saudi Arabia seeks to position itself as a digital content hub and drive innovation in the sector.
The UAE’s TDRA is consulting on new “category B” licences that could allow Starlink resellers to operate locally, expanding satellite internet access to sectors from maritime to aviation.
CMC Networks has named Mahesh Jaishankar as Managing Director, tasking him with leading the company’s strategy around AI-driven connectivity across Africa and the Middle East. Backed by his leadership experience at Google, du, and Arthur D Little, Jaishankar’s appointment follows center3’s 2024 acquisition of CMC and signals a bold push into AIOps-led innovation.