Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
PalmPay has partnered with Jumia to enhance Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem, allowing Jumia shoppers to pay using PalmPay wallets. This collaboration aims to improve user experience and drive the adoption of cashless transactions, signaling the beginning of a long-term partnership to boost innovation and digital payments across Africa.
Cellulant, a payments fintech company, has gained initial approval to operate as a Payment Service Provider in Egypt. This move allows it to offer versatile payment solutions for B2B and B2C transactions. The expansion comes as Egypt sees a surge in fintech services and changing consumer payment preferences, with Cellulant poised to enhance its presence in Africa’s evolving payment landscape.
Sehat Kahani has partnered with Neem to enhance its digital payment solutions, optimizing financial operations and improving the payment experience for patients. The collaboration focuses on digital wellness, seamless transactions, and the introduction of a tailored wallet system, benefiting both patients and corporate clients, especially in rural areas.
Starting February 7, Morocco’s ANRT will evaluate the internet service quality provided by Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange. Volunteers will have quality measurement equipment installed in their homes to assess latency, speed, and other indicators. The campaign aims to ensure compliance with international standards and improve service quality.
Qatar is set to host the world-renowned Web Summit in 2024, with plans to continue for five years. This event, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030, will transform Doha into a tech hub and boost the economy, offering a platform for global tech collaboration in the Middle East.
A new international data corridor linking Europe and the Gulf via Iraq has been launched by ITPC and CITRA, in collaboration with Zajil Telecom. The land-based route offers a faster, more reliable alternative to maritime services, providing quicker and secure data transmission from Kuwait to Europe.
PTA has taken strict action against mobile operators for poor service, issuing fines and warnings. Telenor received the most warnings, followed by Zong, which was fined 68 million rupees. Jazz and Ufone also faced penalties. In response, companies have filed appeals, and PTA has frozen 32 million rupees in bank guarantees.
Algerie Télécom is optimizing its BaridiMob platform to enhance user experience following recent disruptions. The company has apologized for transaction delays and assured users that updates are aimed at improving service efficiency. A significant rise in user adoption underscores the need for these improvements to meet growing demand.
Qatar is preparing for the Web Summit Qatar 2025, aimed at boosting its tech ecosystem and driving digital transformation. With Doha Bank as a Platinum Partner, the summit will connect global leaders and highlight Qatar’s achievements in digital infrastructure and its Digital Agenda 2030 focused on inclusivity and accessibility.
The European Commission has launched the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme with a €100 million investment. This initiative focuses on advancing space-based services for climate monitoring, strengthening institutional collaboration, and boosting the private sector to drive sustainable growth and innovation in Africa through space technology and data-driven solutions.