AI is transforming Oman’s banking sector, enhancing fraud detection and AML compliance. Dr. Jihad al Wahshi of the Central Bank of Oman highlighted the importance of high-quality data, regulatory compliance, and ethical AI practices for successful AI adoption. Collaboration between public and private sectors is key for future success.
Oman is making significant strides in infrastructure development, with key projects such as airport expansions, new roads, and rail links aimed at enhancing tourism and economic growth. The country is increasingly relying on public-private partnerships to fund these projects, positioning itself as a competitive destination for global investment.
CGEM, in partnership with the EBRD and LinkedIn, has launched “Generation AI: Boosting 1000 Moroccan SMEs” to help small and medium-sized enterprises adopt artificial intelligence. The program offers training on innovation, sustainability, and digital strategy through LinkedIn learning licenses, aiming to enhance competitiveness and productivity.
Orange Jordan celebrated the graduation of over 120 students from its Coding Academy, part of a collaboration with Proparco. The initiative, aimed at empowering youth in four Jordanian governorates, enhances digital skills to meet job market needs. Proparco contributed €1 million to support the program and promote digital inclusion.
The RiseUP Summit, in partnership with Misr Italia, will showcase AI innovation and foster collaboration among industry leaders, startups, and tech investors. The event, highlighting AI’s impact across sectors like real estate, will feature keynotes, workshops, and product demos, with participation from global tech giants such as Google and Microsoft.
Foundation Ventures, a Cairo-based venture capital firm, has secured the first close of its $25 million fund, “FVFII.” The fund will support startups in Egypt and Africa, focusing on driving innovation, regional expansion, and global competitiveness. Investors include the Egyptian American Enterprise Fund and MSMEDA.
Vodacom’s shares rose 8.6% following a strong revenue report for the December quarter, with Egypt leading performance. Group revenue grew by 1.6%, while service revenue saw an 11.6% increase on a normalised basis. Despite currency challenges, the group remains optimistic about its growth, particularly in digital and financial services.
Meta AI is now fully available across key MENA markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq. The AI assistant is integrated into Meta’s apps and offers features like text generation, image creation, and support for Arabic. The rollout includes educational initiatives and plans for advanced tools.
du has become the exclusive partner for the UAE landing point of the PEACE subsea cable project, connecting France to Singapore. The expanded cable system will enhance low-latency connectivity across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, driving digital transformation and AI growth in the UAE and beyond.
BTRC has renamed its Digital Security Cell to the Digital and Cyber Safety Directorate to better reflect its role in cybersecurity and digital safety. The Directorate will continue its content monitoring and removal efforts while expanding its scope and workforce to address the growing challenges of cyber-related crimes.
