Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Qatar’s Minister of Public Health led the country’s delegation to GCC health meetings in Kuwait, where member states discussed the Unified Gulf Health Strategy 2026–2030, drug prevention efforts, health insurance reforms, and digital health initiatives under the Gulf Virtual Health Platform.
The Community Media Network has opened registration for the regional conference “Community Media in the Digital Age,” to be held November 15–16, 2025, in Amman. Marking AmmanNet’s 25th anniversary, the event will explore inclusion, sustainability, and legal reforms to strengthen community media across the region.
Egypt’s Minister of ICT Amr Talaat announced that tech startup investments have risen sevenfold since 2020, fueled by innovation-friendly reforms and global investor interest. Programs like Creativa and Start IT, along with the upgraded EgyptInnovate platform, are helping position Egypt as a leading regional hub for innovation.
Pakistan ranked ninth globally for app downloads in 2024 with 3.56 billion installs, growing 9.2% year-on-year. Despite rising usage and mobile data consumption, app development activity declined sharply, even as TikTok, CapCut, and Tamasha led the charts for downloads nationwide.
Egypt’s telecom regulator has licensed seven automakers, including GM’s OnStar, BMW, Audi, and Porsche distributors, to launch IoT-enabled vehicle services. The initiative supports Egypt’s Digital Egypt vision, introducing smart navigation, tracking, and emergency assistance while ensuring strong data privacy and regulatory oversight.
The BTRC’s July 2025 test revealed that Bangladesh’s major operators have failed to meet 4G rollout commitments, with coverage gaps in over half of surveyed areas. Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Teletalk all fell short of service benchmarks, prompting regulatory warnings and renewed scrutiny over network quality.
Saudi Arabia leads the region in cross-channel shopping, with 34% of consumers blending online and in-store experiences. Visa’s latest study highlights the Kingdom’s advanced digital infrastructure, strong mobile commerce adoption, and growing preference for secure, seamless payment options.
Oman recorded a 50% surge in cyber financial fraud during the first half of 2025. The Royal Oman Police attributed the rise to AI-driven scams, deepfake impersonations, and fake online marketplaces, prompting stronger enforcement, bank coordination, and nationwide awareness campaigns to protect consumers.
As digital infrastructure expands across North Africa, telecom networks face rising cyber threats. Nokia’s Safia Sayad urges operators and governments to adopt telco-specific defenses, AI-driven monitoring, and zero-trust models to strengthen resilience and protect the region’s digital future.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has waived underground cable-laying fees for telecom firms for three years to expand affordable, high-speed internet. The policy aims to boost connectivity, lower infrastructure costs, and accelerate the province’s digital transformation and economic growth.