Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi and Palestinian ministers met during GSR-25 in Riyadh to discuss a strategic partnership in digital infrastructure. Talks covered cooperation in digital government, skills development, and innovation to support Palestine’s digital transformation and youth-driven sustainable development.
Syria launched the SCRIPT Digital Summit in Aleppo under the theme “Influencers for Syria,” bringing together Syrian and Arab content creators. Organized by the Ministry of Information, the event aims to rebuild social cohesion, promote stability, and position Syria as a regional hub for digital influence.
Iraq has launched a state-backed mobile company with Vodafone to roll out 5G services by 2025. The new entity, owned by state institutions, will compete in a market of 47 million consumers and signals Iraq’s push for digital transformation alongside talks with Starlink to expand internet access.
HAVELSAN and Egypt’s AOI will co-develop autonomous UAVs through local assembly and co-production, targeting affordable, high-tech defense solutions for Africa. The MoU supports Egypt’s Vision 2030, strengthens Türkiye–Egypt ties, and expands HAVELSAN’s UAV expertise and export reach in the region.
Cairo-based fintech Munify has raised $3M in a Y Combinator–led seed round to expand its cross-border digital banking platform for Egyptians abroad. Offering instant remittances, U.S. bank accounts, debit cards, and currency-hedging tools, Munify plans to scale teams, partnerships, and market presence after graduating from YC’s Summer 2025 batch.
Egypt’s NTI has partnered with FDSI and Digital Fortress EG to prepare youth for AI, data analysis, and ICT jobs. The initiative, under the Digital Egypt Youth programs, will provide practical training, certifications, and supervised projects, supporting Egypt’s 2030 vision for a digitally competitive workforce.
Vodacom has deployed Africa’s first dual-band massive MIMO radio in Cape Town, integrating 3.5GHz and 2.6GHz for LTE and 5G. Meanwhile, MTN and ZTE launched the world’s first commercial 5-band RRU in South Africa, cutting tower load and site power use while boosting energy efficiency by nearly 46%.
Egypt’s National Media Authority will produce programs in 23 languages, starting with Swahili, Amharic, and Fula, as part of a plan to internationalise Egyptian media. The initiative aims to promote Egypt’s culture globally, with the first Swahili program airing next week featuring Cairo’s National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.
Pakistan, with only 274 MHz of spectrum, has the lowest allocation in the region, far behind Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. To ease congestion and improve services, the government is preparing a 5G auction expected to boost GDP, jobs, FDI, and exports, lifting Pakistan’s regional standing.
Bahrain Space Agency joined Spectral in a seminar on space-based quantum key distribution, exploring a roadmap for a 10–15 satellite constellation to enable a global “quantum internet.” The initiative highlights Bahrain’s commitment to adopting advanced cybersecurity technologies for the post-encryption era.