Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
UAE telecom operators e& and du paid AED3.54 billion in federal royalty for H1 2024, down from AED3.73 billion in H1 2023. The new royalty guidelines exclude international profits, applying a 38% rate on UAE net profits and a 9% corporate tax rate.
Discovery has partnered with Intigral to provide Discovery+ content to Jawwy TV subscribers in Saudi Arabia. The deal includes a Discovery+ branded area, access to seven Discovery linear channels, and future availability of the Discovery+ app for mobile customers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Oracle has opened its second public cloud region in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, as part of a $1.5 billion investment. This expansion aims to meet growing demand for AI and cloud services, enabling organizations to modernize applications and innovate with data, analytics, and AI, enhancing the kingdom’s digital economy.
Batelco has partnered with Brave Combat Federation to make premium martial arts content more accessible and affordable. This partnership integrates Brave TV subscriptions with Batelco services, allowing customers to subscribe to Brave CF’s premium content at a reduced rate and enjoy top-tier martial arts action.
stc Group has partnered with Nexthink to implement digital employee experience (DEX) management solutions, improving service delivery and maintaining its leadership. The collaboration has led to a 50% improvement in DEX scores, faster issue resolution, and enhanced employee productivity, positioning stc Group for continued digital-driven success.
Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) achieved significant digital transformation milestones in H1 2024, including 4 million electronic transactions, BD374 million in digital payments, 35 new eServices, and partnerships with key entities. The iGA also launched major national systems and improved government service efficiency and effectiveness.
Presight AI Holding reported a 17.4% revenue increase to AED603.5 million and a 39.1% rise in pre-tax profit for H1 2024. Key achievements include acquiring a 51% stake in AIQ, forming IntelliGrid, and securing major partnerships, driving strong financial performance and reinforcing their commitment to AI-driven innovation.
Kaspersky’s report reveals a surge in cyberattacks targeting telecom, mass media, and construction sectors in H1 2024. Telecoms faced the highest attacks due to sensitive data, while mass media and construction firms were also significantly targeted. Oman’s MTCIT managed over 460 cybersecurity incidents in 2023, showcasing resilience.
Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s largest telecom provider, partners with Mobileum to implement an AI-powered Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management solution. This collaboration aims to prevent revenue leakage, enhance fraud detection, and improve customer experience, supporting Grameenphone’s commitment to innovation and secure service delivery.
She Loves Tech launched its Islamabad round, co-hosted by Telenor Velocity and organized by CIRCLE Women Association. Held at Telenor Pakistan’s Campus ‘345’, the event featured ten women-led tech startups competing for a spot in the National Finale, offering mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities.