Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking to route the East to Med Data Corridor through Syria instead of Israel, reflecting shifting regional alignments and growing focus on alternative connectivity corridors linking the Gulf to Europe.
Raqami Islamic Digital Bank has launched as Pakistan’s first fully Islamic digital bank operating entirely on JazzWorld’s Tier III-certified Garaj domestic cloud, setting a benchmark for secure, scalable and regulation-compliant cloud-based financial services.
PTA reaffirmed its commitment to fair tariffs and improved mobile services under the Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025. The regulator highlighted upcoming spectrum investment, strict consent rules for value-added services and accessible complaint channels to protect consumer rights.
Oman’s Tahawul programme reached a 94% performance rate in 2025, with 90% of priority services digitised and strong institutional performance. Over 2.26bn data exchanges were processed, while digital identity and SME participation expanded significantly.
Oman has expanded fibre, 5G and satellite connectivity across schools, reaching 100% internet coverage and over 97% fibre/5G penetration. Satellite solutions support remote areas, while national fibre and fixed 5G subscriptions have surged, strengthening the country’s digital education ecosystem.
Omantel posted record 2025 net profit of OMR371m ($974m), up 88% year-on-year, driven by stronger domestic operations and higher earnings from its 21% stake in Zain Group, whose profit doubled to $777m.
Orange Jordan has launched “Tahweesheh,” a fee-free savings sub-account within Orange Money, enabling customers to set and manage multiple financial goals digitally. The initiative supports financial inclusion and sustainable saving habits across Jordan.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering routing the East to Med Data Corridor through Syria instead of Israel, reflecting shifting regional dynamics and growing focus on digital infrastructure linking the Gulf to Europe.
Iraq has launched its first AI-powered museum in Baghdad, showcasing the Ottoman era through restored photographs, archival documents and AI-generated visuals. The initiative blends heritage preservation with digital innovation, offering immersive historical experiences and enhanced research access.
ADB has approved $950,000 in technical assistance to support AI adoption in healthcare across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. The initiative will assess clinical, management and generative AI applications while developing governance roadmaps to strengthen digital health systems and improve service delivery.