Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
UAE parents are now legally responsible for supervising children’s online activity under the new Child Digital Safety Law. The law mandates monitoring, parental controls, and reporting harmful content, while forcing global platforms to comply with age checks, data protections, and advertising limits for minors.
Saudi Arabia’s Tawakkalna app, initially launched for COVID-19 management, has evolved into a comprehensive digital platform offering over 600 government services. Powered by AI, it exemplifies the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and user experience, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in digital governance.
Ncell and Meta are partnering to provide Nepalese mobile subscribers with free access to Facebook Basic Mode and text-only web browsing through the Discover app, even without a data package. This initiative aims to increase internet adoption and digital inclusivity in Nepal.
Telenity has upgraded its Digital Services Platform for Ooredoo Algeria, transforming it into a full-stack solution that optimizes partner ecosystem orchestration, service catalog management, and digital content monetization. The new platform streamlines operations and enhances customer engagement, driving service agility and supporting Ooredoo’s digital transformation and growth.
The conclusion of WTDC-25 saw ITU member states adopt the Baku Action Plan, a 2026–2029 roadmap for inclusive global connectivity. Despite 6 billion people now online, the new Global Connectivity Report highlights deep regional and gender divides, ongoing affordability barriers, and rising environmental and digital-wellbeing concerns that continue to slow global progress.
Kyrgyzstan has launched a pilot project to test non-geostationary satellite systems, advancing its digital agenda and expanding high-speed internet access nationwide. The initiative, signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov, aims to close the digital divide and enable innovative telecom technologies.
Telecom companies in Pakistan have expressed frustration over being excluded from the government’s electricity tariff relief despite being granted industry status in 2004. They have also raised concerns about the tax regime and called for reforms, including tax relief for employees, a rollback of the Federal Excise Duty rate, and more equitable enforcement.
China and Singapore commit to strengthening joint efforts against telecom and online fraud through deeper law enforcement collaboration, improved mechanisms, and long-term strategic coordination across security, immigration, and economic crime prevention.
Bitcoin and crypto offer Afghan women financial hope despite Taliban bans and harsh restrictions, with underground markets sustaining remittances and savings.
Zain Iraq’s Mohammed Samir says customer-centric innovation, digital inclusion, and infrastructure expansion are central to staying competitive and aligning with Iraq’s development goals, with the customer as the company’s guiding compass.