Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
LoftyInc Capital Management has raised $43 million for its LoftyInc Alpha Fund, aimed at late-seed investments in African tech startups. The fund will focus on key markets like Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya, supporting sectors such as financial services, AI, and healthcare to foster innovation and scalable growth in Africa.
The “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” study reveals that 76% of businesses across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East see AI and cloud computing as key to sustainable development. However, concerns over energy consumption remain, with businesses emphasizing the importance of green technologies and human oversight in AI.
Doha hosted the 8th meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for e-Government and the 28th meeting for Post and Telecommunications, where key discussions focused on digital transformation, the launch of the GCC e-Government Guiding Strategy (2024-2030), and cooperation in communications and technology sectors.
Orange and AWS are launching the first AWS Wavelength Zones in Africa, in Morocco and Senegal, to support low-latency applications and local data residency across industries, fostering cloud adoption and digital transformation.
Nepal’s smartphone imports surged 21% to nearly 2 million units worth over Rs. 32 billion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2024/25. China remains the largest supplier, followed by India and other countries, contributing to increased government revenue and greater market availability.
Jordan’s Minister of Education, Azmi Mahafza, emphasized the importance of inclusive, equitable, and quality education at the 14th ALECSO Conference. He highlighted Jordan’s commitment to SDG 4, digital education, AI integration, and teacher training to reshape education, focusing on the future of students and fostering innovation in classrooms.
Saudi Airlines is in advanced talks with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet to its 140-aircraft fleet. The move would give the carrier a competitive edge in the region, offering passengers fast, reliable in-flight connectivity and enhancing its position as a global leader in aviation services.
Pakistan has made significant strides in closing the mobile internet gender gap, surpassing India and Bangladesh in female internet usage. In 2024, 45% of Pakistani women used mobile internet, driven by efforts from telecom operators and regulators. While rural women lead the surge, challenges like affordability and social norms remain.
Bangladesh’s telecom ministry ordered removal of the internet shutdown clause from the telecom law and called for reforming surveillance systems to align with international standards, enhancing digital rights and legal oversight.
Orange Jordan showcased innovations and supported entrepreneurs at the MENA ICT Forum 2024, highlighting projects from the Orange Digital Centers. Key highlights included the “MARS-JO Rover,” a virtual hospital project, and startup initiatives like ARFL and SAVERBOT. The forum emphasized technological synergy and future ICT developments in the MENA region.