Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Airtel Nigeria has implemented a 50% tariff hike, affecting both data plans and call rates. This change, aimed at boosting infrastructure investment, has faced criticism from consumer groups and unions. The Cloud Network Foundation has urged the government to reassess the hike, citing economic hardships and its impact on low-income Nigerians.
Port City Colombo is working to establish Sri Lanka as a leading tech hub in South Asia, with 40 global IT companies already onboarded. The initiative supports the government’s goal of creating a $15 billion digital economy by 2030, fostering innovation and investment in the country’s tech sector.
Mawlawi Najibullah Hayat Haqqani, Acting Minister of Communications and Information Technology in Afghanistan, met with MTN Afghanistan officials to discuss the company’s operations, including SIM card registration and service quality. Minister Haqqani emphasized the need for regulatory compliance and continued sector support. MTN committed to improving services and investing in network development.
Mastercard and Entreprenelle have partnered to empower Egyptian female entrepreneurs through upskilling workshops, focusing on digital economy skills. This collaboration aims to enhance innovation and growth for women-led businesses, supported by Mastercard’s ‘Her Voice’ podcast series, celebrating female entrepreneurial achievements.
Ericsson inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, enhancing its Middle East and Africa presence. The move supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals through innovation, 5G leadership, and talent development. Key partners like stc and Mobily reaffirmed collaboration, while initiatives like the Gen-E Graduate Programme foster local tech expertise.
Saudi Arabia’s CST and SCIT Group have partnered for a $100 million investment to enhance Air-to-Ground (A2G) communication technology. The initiative aims to improve aviation safety, passenger connectivity, and airline operations, while fostering local talent and regional expansion. This collaboration positions Saudi Arabia as a global leader in aviation technology.
Lenovo has partnered with ZAK Solutions, becoming its first Tier 1 partner in the META region and offering an extensive range of products. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance technological accessibility and drive digital transformation across the Middle East, aligning with Lenovo’s commitment to democratizing AI and advancing regional growth.
Jobzyn, a Moroccan AI hiring startup, has raised pre-seed funding led by Janngo Capital to accelerate product development and expand across Africa and MENA. Already used by major firms, the platform helps employers screen candidates efficiently while improving job market transparency for graduates and job seekers.
This initiative is part of the mission of Orange Digital Center to promote digital inclusion and support the development of digital skills for employment, especially among youth and women
Kazakhtelecom has unveiled its 2025 strategy, focusing on expanding fiber optics, AI solutions, and 5G networks. The company plans to migrate 70,000 users to fiber optics, introduce AI-powered services, and deploy 124,000 new optical ports nationwide. Kazakhtelecom is also expanding 5G infrastructure and ensuring financial stability with no foreign currency debt.