In Q1 2024, 200 Emiratis were trained in app development under the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. The initiative aims to train 1,000 Emiratis and triple Dubai’s app developers by 2025. The ‘App Olympics’ competition saw 1,100 participants in February.
Morocco’s telecommunications sector saw significant growth in the first half of 2024, with the subscriber base reaching 59.8 million, driven by a 5% increase in mobile users. Internet subscriptions also grew by 6.9%, surpassing 39.1 million, reflecting the country’s digital transformation and resulting in a mobile penetration rate of 152.1%.
Zarrar Hasham Khan, a telecom expert and former PTCL executive, has been appointed as the Federal Secretary of IT and Telecommunications in Pakistan. Selected through an open market process, Khan brings over 20 years of experience and will play a key role in advancing Pakistan’s technology and telecom sectors.
The partnership will provide organizations with essential data and analytical tools to navigate complex market environments and optimize strategic decisions.
Potraz, Zimbabwe’s telecommunications regulator, is set to intensify its crackdown on online hate speech and cyberbullying. Announced by Director General Dr. Gift Machengete, the initiative will utilize the Data Protection Act to restrict harmful sites and target anonymous users involved in these offenses, enhancing online safety.
A new Health and Wellness Digital Toolkit for the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) workforce was launched in Dhaka. Developed by AYAT Education in collaboration with BGMEA and others, the toolkit aims to improve health awareness, boost productivity, and reduce absenteeism, creating a healthier and more sustainable workforce in the garment sector.
Digital Dubai has launched the ‘Dubai Cashless Strategy’ to enhance secure digital payment solutions across government and private sectors. Aiming for 90% cashless transactions by 2026, the initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and is expected to boost economic growth by over AED 8 billion annually.
Zong has been ordered by the Islamabad High Court to refund Rs2 billion to affected customers after the company failed to comply with a PTA directive. The case involves illegal service fees charged on prepaid mobile cards, marking a significant step towards greater consumer protection in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
UNDP Bahrain has partnered with the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies (Derasat) to develop the National Human Development Report (NHDR), focusing on digital transformation. This initiative aims to promote inclusive growth aligned with Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WorldLink has launched its FTTH fiber internet service in Taplejung, Koshi Province, enhancing connectivity for residents, businesses, and government bodies. This expansion supports digital inclusion and provides high-speed internet access, IPTV, and improved opportunities in education, healthcare, and business in remote Nepal. WorldLink plans to extend services nationwide.
