Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Hub71’s Cohort 16 welcomes 27 startups, collectively raising $145 million, with 63% headquartered outside the UAE. Startups from key sectors like FinTech, HealthTech, and ClimateTech are set to scale in Abu Dhabi. The initiative strengthens the UAE’s digital economy and reinforces its position as a global tech hub.
Morocco has launched a $19.4 million initiative to digitize over 38 million civil records across the country. The project aims to modernize public administration, improve service quality, and create a centralized, secure database accessible to all citizens. It will be carried out in two phases, prioritizing birth and death records.
Redington has successfully hosted ‘The Vertical Congress’ in Riyadh, focusing on digital transformation across key industries like BFSI, Education, Construction, and Healthcare. The event gathered industry leaders and showcased innovative solutions, reinforcing Redington’s commitment to empowering Saudi businesses in their digital journey.
41% of Kuwaiti startups are female-led, disrupting e-commerce, fintech, and culture. Supported by government initiatives and funding, women entrepreneurs are driving economic diversification and social change despite traditional challenges. The trend promises continued growth and empowerment.
Lola Do Inc. raised $1.3 million in pre-seed funding, led by Vision Ventures and Plus VC, to revolutionize the cake customization industry. With its mobile app, Lola offers personalized cakes for every occasion, expanding rapidly in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE. The company is poised for further regional growth.
Pakistan has been named ‘Tech Destination of the Year’ at GITEX Global 2024, showcasing its commitment to innovation and technology. The event, held in Dubai, features the Pakistan Pavilion, where IT companies highlight their capabilities. Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized the country’s potential for global collaboration in tech.
Mastercard has partnered with Bahrain’s Tamkeen to launch the first Mastercard Strive program in the Middle East, aimed at enhancing financial and digital readiness for SMEs in Bahrain. This collaboration will support entrepreneurs by providing access to digital tools, capital, and networks, fostering growth and innovation in Bahrain’s SME sector.
Ericsson has partnered with e& Egypt to integrate advanced 20-port antennas, enhancing Egypt’s ICT infrastructure and preparing for 5G. This collaboration supports high-order site sharing, improves network performance, and aligns with Egypt Vision 2030, enabling new opportunities for businesses and consumers through expanded 4G and future 5G capabilities.
Moroccan Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni met with US officials to deepen digital cooperation, focusing on AI and Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 plan. This partnership follows significant Morocco-US initiatives in AI, including co-presenting the first UN AI resolution and establishing a Group of Friends for AI development.