Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Vodafone Qatar has signed an MoU with SAWAA Technology to drive digital transformation for startups. The partnership will provide training, consultations, and joint product offerings, leveraging Vodafone Qatar’s advanced digital solutions to support local businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs in Qatar’s growing digital ecosystem.
Kearney will highlight AI and VR’s roles in security at Intersec Saudi Arabia, focusing on predictive and personalized solutions for smart cities. The event will feature discussions on global threats and innovative security strategies from October 1 to 3.
iSUPPLY has secured $3 million in Sharia-compliant, revenue-based financing from Bokra to scale operations and expand access to medical supplies in Egypt. This funding supports the platform’s mission to improve supply chain efficiency using AI, helping to overcome long-standing healthcare distribution challenges in underserved areas.
Google Pay is set to launch in Pakistan by March 2025, allowing users to link debit and credit cards for contactless payments through the Google Wallet app. The service will initially focus on basic payments, with advanced features like loyalty cards and transport passes to follow in future phases.
Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung called for coordinated efforts under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to achieve the Digital Nepal Framework’s goals. He emphasized expanding access to broadband, improving GIOMS, controlling advertisement leakage, and addressing the economic burden of local-level tax collection for mobile tower installations.
e& UAE has launched a multi-year technology transformation program in collaboration with ServiceNow and Quintica to modernize its technology infrastructure. This initiative focuses on utilizing AI automation and predictive analytics to enhance customer experiences, improve service reliability, and ensure agility in meeting the evolving demands of the telecommunications sector.
AI is reshaping retail in the Middle East, with procurement and customer experience leading adoption. The region is also outpacing global peers in AR and computer vision use, though challenges in complexity and regulation remain.
The Ministry of Education launched Ma’a Hamad Chat, an AI-powered service designed to improve communication and support learning. The platform provides accurate, curriculum-based answers for students, teachers, and parents, with tailored responses in multiple languages. It complements textbooks and enhances digital learning experiences in line with the MoE’s transformation vision.
SAP hosted its Business Suite Innovation Day in Karachi, highlighting AI, cloud ERP, and data-driven enterprise solutions. With participation from MG Motors, Aramco, and Orient Materials, the event showcased real-world use cases, reaffirming SAP’s role in driving Pakistan’s business transformation.
Standard Chartered Bank hosted a panel discussion on Bahraini Women’s Day, bringing together participants from the “Women in Tech” program. The event highlighted women entrepreneurs’ use of digital solutions, discussed challenges like financing, and explored emerging technologies, while celebrating the contributions of Bahraini women to the nation’s progress.