Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ericsson has partnered with Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s leading mobile operator, to enhance innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to establish a framework for collaboration, focusing on technology trials and partnerships to support sustainable growth in the telecommunications sector.
Generative AI could add up to $35 billion annually to GCC economies, complementing $150 billion from other AI technologies. With strong adoption and data management laws, GCC nations are set to leverage AI’s economic potential while addressing data sovereignty.
Zayed University hosted the 7th Bluenotes MENA conference in Dubai, uniting over 250 regional education leaders to explore AI and data analytics in enhancing student engagement. The event included an MoU for data-sharing between UAE universities to improve institutional effectiveness.
Egypt launched the “Invest IT” program to boost investment readiness for tech startups, with government initiatives supporting skills development, international partnerships, and infrastructure. Despite a funding decline, Egypt remains a top MENA startup hub, with Invest IT fostering a resilient ecosystem for sustainable growth.
The Net5.5G Pioneer Award ceremony at UBBF 2024 in Istanbul honored achievements in Net5.5G innovation, highlighting advancements in 400GE, SRv6, and network slicing. The award celebrated carriers driving digital transformation in the Arab and African regions, setting a milestone for network development.
Telecom Egypt and Alcatel Submarine Networks have successfully landed the Africa-1 subsea cable at Ras Ghareb, Egypt, boosting connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This 10,000-kilometer, high-capacity system aims to enhance global data capacity and resilience for bandwidth-intensive needs.
Bahrain has attracted over $100 million in investments from Singapore across financial services, ICT, and tourism sectors. The Bahrain Economic Development Board highlighted this milestone at the Singapore Fintech Festival, showcasing Bahrain’s appeal as a business-friendly hub with advanced regulatory frameworks and a skilled workforce.
Etihad Airways and e& UAE have signed an MoU to integrate loyalty programs, enhance marketing, and promote Abu Dhabi as a premier destination. The collaboration aims to boost customer engagement, provide flexible benefits, and support small businesses, aligning with both companies’ long-term goals.
Beyon, Bahrain’s telecom giant, reports a 1% rise in net profit to BD56.2 million and a 6% revenue increase in the first nine months of 2024. Comprehensive income surged by 22%, driven by favorable investment gains. EBITDA margin remained steady at 40% amidst consistent growth.
Telecom Egypt and Alcatel Submarine Networks have successfully landed the Africa-1 subsea cable system at the Ras Ghareb cable landing station. This initiative, part of a larger project to enhance connectivity across the Middle East and Africa, is expected to boost broadband capabilities and meet growing demand for high-speed communications.