Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Etihad Salam has joined the Saudi Arabia Quantum Network Consortium, led by KACST, to advance quantum-secure communication infrastructure. The partnership supports Vision 2030’s digital goals and positions Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in post-quantum security.
Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar hosted its first AI Hackathon, uniting medical and computer science students from Qatar and the U.S. to develop AI-powered solutions for real-world clinical challenges, advancing precision health and interdisciplinary innovation.
Digital wallets accounted for 93% of Pakistan’s online purchases in FY25, signaling rapid e-commerce adoption. Retail payments rose 38% to 9.1 billion transactions, while card and QR payments surged, reflecting strong momentum toward a cashless, digitally inclusive economy.
Pakistan’s IT ministry has launched the Cloud Enablement Program and Startup Fund to accelerate innovation and empower entrepreneurs. The initiatives provide cloud access, funding, and global exposure to strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and advance the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Vision.
Vodafone Qatar won three awards at the Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit 2025 for leadership in AI, analytics, and customer experience, highlighting its data-driven innovation and contribution to Qatar’s digital transformation.
MEEZA has launched MAI, a unified AI platform integrating MSNG and GPUaaS to power Qatar’s sovereign digital transformation. The innovation enables AI-driven managed services, high-performance computing, and secure data management aligned with Qatar’s technology sovereignty goals.
Muscat, November 3, 2025 — Oman is poised to become the world’s leading hub for advanced air mobility (AAM) as it prepares to host the Oman Operational Launch Programme (OLP) — the most comprehensive evaluation initiative of its kind globally. The project, led by US aerospace company Odys Aviation, will test and validate the firm’s cutting-edge Laila aircraft, a hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle with a range of 725 km.
Thawani has obtained a Visa licence to issue credit cards in Oman, marking a first for the nation’s FinTech sector. The partnership enhances digital inclusion, strengthens Oman Vision 2040 goals, and positions Thawani as a leader in secure, accessible financial innovation.
Muscat, November 3, 2025 — In a milestone for Oman’s digital entrepreneurship, two Omani innovators have launched Ajarlee, the country’s first locally developed car rental application, designed to digitize and simplify the vehicle rental experience across the Sultanate.
A new UAE–Kenya subsea cable by du and PEACE Cable establishes the first direct digital corridor between East Africa and the Gulf, boosting internet speed, AI collaboration, and cloud connectivity while positioning both nations as emerging hubs in the global digital economy.