Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Morocco has reinstated the national hotline 5757 during Ramadan to enable consumers to report fraud, safety violations, and unfair business practices. The unified complaint system aims to improve response efficiency, strengthen market oversight, and enhance consumer protection during a period of heightened commercial activity.
• 33 finalists selected from 7,761 submissions across 173 countries • This year’s finalists are pioneering inclusive, tech-enabled, and locally…
Flend closes $3 million seed round to expand digital SME lending in Egypt, aiming to close the $50 billion financing gap with embedded finance across key sectors.
Enhanced solutions will power the era of Agentic AI with trusted, AI-ready data Dubai, United Arab Emirates – October 30,…
JCDecaux Oman has launched Digital Impact, a new DOOH network of 15 digital roadside screens in partnership with Muscat Municipality. The initiative combines advertising, civic communication, sustainability, and local talent development to support Muscat’s smart city and urban transformation goals.
Jeddah – 17 November 2025 – Experts Vision Consulting EVC, the national leader in digital transformation, smart cities, and crowd…
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank plans to increase daily digital transactions by 30%, raising volumes from 1.65 million to 2.15 million. Awareness campaigns across major cities will promote online banking and card payments to support a shift toward a cashless economy.
Microsoft has partnered with the Government of Kuwait to establish an AI-powered Azure Region, driving digital transformation and AI innovation aligned with Kuwait’s Vision 2035. The initiative will provide scalable cloud services, support startups, enhance public services, and promote economic growth, positioning Kuwait as a regional AI technology leader.
A new Mubasher Capital Bahrain report confirms Beyon’s continued dominance in the Kingdom’s telecom sector, with over 70 percent broadband and 40 percent mobile market share. The company has demonstrated steady revenue growth, reaching BD460 million in 2024, supported mainly by traditional telecom services. Beyon is also expanding across digital finance, cloud, IT, and cybersecurity through multiple subsidiaries. Its international exposure, supported by infrastructure projects such as the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable, is strengthening long-term growth and diversification while remaining aligned with Bahrain’s Vision 2030.
ZIMSAT-3: Zimbabwe Bets on Satellite Connectivity
Zimbabwe is placing strategic emphasis on satellite technology to expand national connectivity through its third national satellite, ZIMSAT-3, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) covering the period from 2026 to 2030. The strategy positions ZIMSAT-3 as a key enabler of digital transformation, complementing national broadband expansion and improving access to digital services in both rural and urban areas.
According to the NDS2 document, the satellite will support efforts to strengthen nationwide connectivity and accelerate digital inclusion. The initiative aligns with broader government objectives to achieve universal Internet access across the country. In March 2024, authorities confirmed they were exploring partnerships with multiple satellite service providers to expand coverage and reduce service costs.
Beyond satellite deployment, the strategy outlines plans to expand digital infrastructure across Zimbabwe. These measures include extending high-speed fiber-optic networks to urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, expanding mobile broadband coverage, and deploying solar-powered digital kiosks in off-grid and underserved communities.
The government is also encouraging infrastructure-sharing agreements among telecommunications operators to speed up network rollout and lower the cost of Internet and digital services. This collaborative approach is intended to improve efficiency while maximizing the reach of limited infrastructure investments.
The increased focus on satellite connectivity reflects a broader trend across sub-Saharan Africa, where satellite technology is increasingly viewed as a practical solution for bridging the digital divide. The GSMA has noted that the region faces some of the world’s most challenging geographies for terrestrial networks, including deserts, rainforests, and mountainous terrain, making satellite-based solutions a critical complement to ground-based infrastructure.