Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Trend Micro blocked over eight million cyber threats in Bahrain in 2023, including 1.9 million email threats and 1.1 million malicious URLs. Globally, they thwarted 161 billion threats, a 10% increase year-on-year, highlighting the need for proactive cybersecurity measures in an evolving threat landscape.
Saudi Arabia saw a 14% annual increase in expatriate remittances in April, totaling SR11.35 billion. Payments from Saudis also rose by 30%, reaching SR4.94 billion. This growth is driven by new development projects, improved economic conditions, digitalization, and supportive regulatory reforms, enhancing the ease of doing business.
King Abdulaziz University awarded Naseej for Technology a SAR 16.18 million contract for academic system upgrades and support. Additionally, the company secured a SAR 17.24 million deal with the Ministry of Commerce. Despite a slight revenue increase, Naseej reported a 39.55% drop in net profit for 2023.
Sri Lanka’s computer literacy has increased to 39% in 2023, with digital literacy at 63.5%, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. Household computer ownership is at 20.2%, with urban areas showing higher rates of both computer and digital skills compared to rural and estate sectors.
Smartphone shipments in Africa have surpassed feature phones, with a 17.9% increase in Q1 2024, reaching 20.2 million units. This growth, driven by South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, is led by Chinese brands and mid-range models. IDC predicts continued growth despite short-term economic uncertainties.
Aramco Digital, the subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, has received a Specialized Radio Network Licence in the 450MHz band from the Saudi CST. This license will facilitate a dedicated network for industrial sectors, advancing digital transformation and enabling IIoT applications, as announced by CEO Tareq Amin.
IT spending in the MENA region is projected to reach $193.7 billion in 2024, a 5.2% increase from 2023. Growth is driven by IT services, while data centre investments decline. GenAI’s immediate impact is limited, but cloud services spending is set to rise, with a focus on cost-effective use cases.
Vodafone Qatar offers Voice and Mobile Broadband (MBB) plan customers who sign up for Auto-Pay a chance to win a QR5,000 voucher. The Auto-Pay service ensures automatic bill payments, providing convenience and security. Customers also receive 5GB extra data with each bill payment.
Libya’s Telecommunications Holding Company and Italian Post have agreed to enhance Libyan postal services, focusing on postal, logistical, and digital financial services, and training personnel. An executive cooperation agreement will establish joint working teams for initiatives and projects.
Zain Omantel International (ZOI) joins One Consortium to combat international telecom fraud, aligning with its commitment to integrity and customer-centricity. As a voting member, ZOI will help develop solutions and standards to enhance trust in telecommunications across the Middle East and globally.