Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Technology Adoption Readiness Index improved from 60.35% to 70.70% in one year. The increase in participating agencies, along with advancements in AI, drones, digital twinning, and other technologies, highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing its digital infrastructure and aligns with Vision 2030 goals.
Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Blockexe, has launched the Modee Dlt blockchain network to enhance trust in government services. This initiative, part of the Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025), aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in e-government services.
Orange Jordan and Proparco have partnered to enhance programming skills through Coding Academies, expanding digital inclusion in Jordan. The €1-million agreement aims to train more young programmers, while an additional USD 15-million agreement supports the expansion of Orange’s fiber optic network.
Oman is set to become a regional telecommunications hub with its advanced network and rural connectivity initiatives. Significant progress in digital infrastructure and the space industry supports this development, with extensive fibreoptic and 5G network deployments enhancing connectivity nationwide.
ITIDA and DXC Technology Egypt have signed an MoU to enhance Egypt’s software industry by leveraging ITIDA’s SECC for training and certifications. The partnership aims to boost software exports and elevate Egypt’s position as a global IT services hub.
The TRA’s new regulations aim to empower SMEs by simplifying the import and approval processes for telecommunications devices, including renewable type approval certificates and special procedures for SMEs. The amendments create a flexible regulatory environment to keep pace with market developments.
Libya, Morocco, and Seychelles lead Africa in ICT development, as per the ITU’s 2024 report. Despite improvements across the continent, disparities remain, with Libya scoring 88.1 points and Chad at the bottom with 21.3 points.
Ooredoo celebrated National Children’s Day by launching initiatives to support children, including events, financial contributions, and gift distributions. The mobile operator’s efforts underscore its commitment to children’s welfare and community spirit.
Tech leaders met in Ras Al Khaimah for the ‘Re: Sustainable IT Summit’ to discuss sustainable hardware practices. Organized by Circular Computing, the event emphasized remanufacturing as key to reducing e-waste and CO2 emissions. Circular Computing’s $33 million contract with the Irish Government underscores the viability of sustainable IT solutions.
Ooredoo reported a 9% revenue growth in H1 2024, reaching KD346 million ($1.1 billion), driven by strong performance in Kuwait, Maldives, Tunisia, and Algeria. Customer base increased by 4% to 25.5 million, and EBITDA grew by 8% to KD125 million. Net profit attributable to NMTC decreased to KD25 million due to a one-time gain in H1 2023.