Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Thales has deepened its partnership with Arab International Optronics to support Egypt’s technology sovereignty through joint training, defence innovation, surveillance systems, and supply chain integration. The expanded collaboration aims to strengthen local industrial capabilities, develop national talent, and position Egypt as a regional hub for advanced, locally produced technologies.
bKash is strengthening women’s financial independence in Bangladesh by expanding access to mobile money services, including remittances, savings, loans, and payroll. With over 82 million users, the platform is helping women—especially in rural areas—enter the formal economy, build resilience, and pursue entrepreneurship through inclusive digital finance.
Bangladesh has taken a major step toward its first private submarine cable network after the BPCS Consortium signed an SLTE supply agreement with Nokia. The project aims to boost international bandwidth capacity, reduce reliance on terrestrial links via India, enhance cybersecurity, and support long-term internet affordability and digital growth.
Bahrain’s iGA and Royal Academy of Police honoured university students who won the 2025 AI GameDay Challenge, highlighting national efforts to build AI and cloud computing skills. Supported by UNDP, AWS, and stc Bahrain, the initiative showcased youth innovation and practical applications aligned with the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals.
Bahrain participated in ITU’s WTDC-25 in Baku, showcasing achievements in digital transformation and regulatory modernisation. The TRA reaffirmed support for global digital inclusion, contributed to sector policy discussions, and backed Adel Darwish’s candidacy for ITU Deputy Secretary-General.
Oman ranked 68th in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2025, down from last year, with strengths in digital infrastructure and AI readiness but weaker performance in digital security and internet quality. Despite improvements in broadband speeds, the rankings highlight the need for stronger cybersecurity and continued investment in digital services.
Algeria is preparing new e-commerce legislation to support youth entrepreneurship, protect consumers, and regulate rapid online market growth. With e-commerce turnover exceeding $1.9 billion, the framework aims to formalise digital trade, promote financial inclusion, and build a trusted, transparent digital economy aligned with national digitisation goals.
Algerian travel-tech startup Völz raised $5 million in a funding round led by local investors, marking the first exit for the Algerian Startup Fund. The company enables international flight bookings in local currency with cash and offline payment options, aiming to scale operations and simplify travel access nationwide.
Algeria is launching a national digital platform to manage hospital patient transfers, introducing automated workflows and a 48-hour response deadline for urgent cases. Integrated with ground and air medical transport, the system aims to improve care continuity, especially in remote regions, as part of the country’s 2030 health digitalization strategy.
Libya and Saudi Arabia have signed a preliminary telecom MoU to strengthen regional cooperation, focusing on network development, technical studies, and connectivity strategies. The partnership aims to enhance Libya’s digital infrastructure, support expertise exchange, and align telecom modernisation with broader economic and digital transformation goals.