Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Veon plans a dual listing in the UAE within 3-5 years after relocating its headquarters to Dubai. The move aims to boost capital access, regional presence, and shareholder value, focusing on growth in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with an emphasis on digital transformation and 5G investments.
Zain Omantel International, Horizon Scope Telecom, and ITPC have launched a secure terrestrial fibre corridor from the Middle East to Europe via Iraq, enhancing connectivity, reducing latency, and providing a resilient alternative to undersea cables for businesses and telecom operators.
Starlink is expanding its Bangladesh operations through partnerships with Fibre@Home and others, developing ground stations and data centres while launching a reseller program targeting enterprise and government sectors. The initiative aims to accelerate broadband access, backed by regulatory support for bandwidth importation.
TechnoServe and Millers for Nutrition hosted a workshop in Dhaka to promote fortified wheat flour as a cost-effective solution to micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh, emphasizing public-private partnerships and regulatory support to scale food fortification and improve public health outcomes.
EBRD and Banque Misr provide $80 million loan to Orange Egypt for 5G rollout, enhancing network speed and sustainability with a 1.7 million tonne CO2 reduction. This supports Egypt’s digital transformation and economic growth, highlighting a strong international partnership in the telecom sector.
44 new telecom towers approved to improve connectivity in remote Paktika, raising total towers to 73 and expanding telecom services for local residents.
Egypt led North Africa’s smartphone market in Q1 2025 with 34% growth, while Africa’s overall shipments rose 6%. South Africa and Algeria showed strong gains, though Nigeria’s market contracted. Brands like Samsung and Xiaomi drove growth amid economic challenges and cautious consumer spending.
General Assembly Bahrain and KPMG Bahrain have signed a strategic MoU to develop a strong tech talent pipeline and accelerate digital transformation. The partnership includes specialized training programs and highlights successful hiring of GA graduates from diverse backgrounds, supporting Bahrain’s vision for a skilled, knowledge-based economy.
Zain KSA has finalized preparations for Hajj 1446H with an AI-driven 5G network and expanded field teams, including 50% women representatives. Enhanced multilingual support, increased points of sale, and 24/7 booths ensure pilgrims receive seamless connectivity and assistance across all holy sites.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Sustainable Development, in partnership with ITU and the UN, conducted a virtual workshop to enhance methodologies for calculating and reporting SDG indicators focused on digital connectivity. The initiative aims to improve data quality, support policymaking, and advance Bahrain’s progress toward bridging the digital divide.