Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
PhonePe has partnered with PickMe to offer UPI-based payments for Indian travelers in Sri Lanka, enhancing convenience and security for tourists while supporting digital transformation in the country’s transportation sector.
Bangladesh will install a fourth underwater cable by 2028 and a fifth by 2033 to meet growing bandwidth needs. Internet users have surged to 12.9 million, with internet density at 75.12%. Reduced internet costs have boosted IT sector employment and web-based business opportunities.
A 74-year-old librarian in Djerba preserves over 1,600 ancient Ibadi manuscripts. Ibadis, historically persecuted, sought refuge in remote areas. Today, they use modern technology to digitize and protect their heritage, enriching Djerba’s cultural diversity.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies and MEDI TELECOM have partnered to expand network coverage in Morocco, enhancing connectivity and services. This collaboration supports the Digital Morocco Plan 2021-2025 and benefits international businesses with improved connectivity options and innovative services.
Qatar Airways will introduce Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi on three Boeing 777-300 aircraft by year-end, expanding fleet-wide within two years. This collaboration enhances passenger experience with up to 500 Mbps connectivity, enabling streaming, gaming, and more with simple one-click access.
The Cyber First Kuwait Conference, under the National Cyber Security Center’s patronage, explored strategies to secure Kuwait’s digital future. The event emphasized cross-sector collaboration, the National Cybersecurity Strategy, and significant cybersecurity investments, with projections estimating $2.405 million in revenue for 2024.
Cloudflare has expanded its Regional Services to Saudi Arabia and 18 new regions, enabling customers to localize data processing for compliance and security, while maintaining high performance and flexibility through software-defined regionalization.
BNET has launched a project to transition all copper internet networks in Bahrain to ultra-high-speed fiber networks. This initiative aims to migrate all copper customers to fiber, enhancing internet speeds and reliability for individuals and businesses, and aligning with Bahrain’s Sixth National Telecommunications Plan (NTP6).
iGA and Beyon Connect are launching an enhanced eKey system in Bahrain, incorporating advanced technologies and AI to provide secure, seamless digital service access. The new system aims to improve security and user experience for public and private sectors, set to launch by the end of the year.
SDAIA has earned the ISO 42001 certification for 2024, acknowledging its adherence to international AI management standards in planning, governance, risk management, and continuous improvement.