Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
VeraViews, leveraging distributed ledger technology, will set up its global headquarters in the UAE under the NextGen FDI initiative. This strategic move aims to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the digital advertising ecosystem, supporting UAE’s goal of becoming a leader in secure digital advertising.
Zain Group has reported record revenue of KD2 billion ($6.4 billion) for FY2024, marking a 3% YoY growth. The company’s net income increased by 15%, and its EBITDA reached KD689 million ($2.25 billion). Zain also recommended a cash dividend of 35 fils per share for the year.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, in partnership with AT&T, has launched Pakistan’s first VoLTE roaming services in the US. This service ensures superior voice quality and faster call setup for Jazz customers traveling to the US, especially since AT&T has discontinued its 2G and 3G services.
Dubai International Chamber has supported Emtelle’s expansion into Indonesia through a partnership with PT Fajar Mitra Krida Abadi. The MoU focuses on enhancing Indonesia’s fiber optic network and broadband services, contributing to the country’s digital transformation and technological growth.
Dialog Enterprise continues its partnership with the CIO Confluence for the third consecutive year, providing exclusive enterprise connectivity for Sri Lanka’s premier C-level forum. The event will bring together over 500 participants to discuss the future of banking, innovation, and resilience, reinforcing Dialog’s commitment to the sector.
Saudi Arabia is leveraging AI to drive its economic transformation under Vision 2030, with AI projected to contribute 12.4% to GDP by 2030. Key trends include advancements in Arabic NLP, generative AI, ethical AI, and workforce development. The Kingdom is positioned as a global leader in AI innovation, balancing progress with sustainability.
Oman has launched a digital platform for motorists to settle road damage costs after traffic accidents. The system enables online submission, review, and payment, streamlining claims and accelerating repairs to infrastructure like streetlights, traffic signals, and barriers. It improves transparency, accountability, and service efficiency in line with Oman’s digital vision.
Yango Group launched Yasmina, a bilingual Arabic-English AI assistant for Oman’s GCC market, embedded in smart speakers and designed to offer culturally relevant features. The move complements Yango’s regional expansion in ride-hailing, delivery, and AI-driven services, including the acquisition of Oman’s Otaxi platform.
Saudi Arabia’s Alat has acquired a 15% stake in TK Elevator and launched a €160 million ($166.62 million) joint venture to manufacture elevators and escalators locally. The JV will be headquartered in Saudi Arabia, supporting the kingdom’s vision to become a global leader in electronics and advanced industries.
Oman joined Gulf states in Kuwait for the Second Gulf Housing Conference to share expertise on sustainable housing and urban development. The event provided a platform to highlight Oman’s Vision 2040 housing initiatives, strengthen regional partnerships, and promote innovation in building affordable, modern, and resilient communities.