Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Alibaba Cloud is expanding its Southeast Asia footprint with new data centres, AI competency centres, upgraded cloud services, and sustainability solutions, reinforcing its role in accelerating AI adoption and cloud innovation globally.
MTN Nigeria launched the first phase of its $235 million Dabengwa Sifiso Data Centre in Lagos, featuring a Tier III facility and a new cloud service with local pricing and low latency. The company aims to expand capacity in a future phase, positioning itself competitively in West Africa’s cloud market.
Kuwait’s Finance Ministry partners with Google Cloud to lead the country’s digital transformation by adopting a cloud-based financial system. The initiative aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and service quality across government bodies through advanced technologies like AI.
Bahrain grants Malaysia full sovereignty over subscriber data hosted in its cloud centers, strengthening bilateral digital cooperation. The move highlights Bahrain’s robust legal and technical framework for cloud services, affirming its role as a trusted regional digital hub committed to data sovereignty and privacy.
Pakistan’s data center industry is evolving rapidly, positioning the country as a regional hub for digital infrastructure. However, challenges like government competition with private players and the need for sustainable energy solutions must be addressed. Public-private collaborations and investment in human resources are essential for the sector’s growth.
du has signed a 2 billion dirham ($544.54 million) agreement with Microsoft to build a hyperscale data center in the UAE. The center will support Microsoft’s cloud and AI services, driving digital transformation and job creation in AI, cybersecurity, and data engineering. The project aligns with the UAE’s economic diversification goals.
The UAE’s cloud computing market is set to grow from $12.84 billion in 2025 to $45.41 billion by 2030, driven by demand for scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient digital services. SMEs, government initiatives, and strategic partnerships are accelerating cloud adoption, making it essential for business agility, innovation, and digital transformation.
Algeria has launched three new digital platforms—cloud computing, drone technology, and a startup incubator—aimed at driving innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. The cloud platform offers high-speed processing, while the incubator will support local startups. These initiatives are part of the country’s broader digital transformation strategy to boost job creation.
Tencent Cloud is set to invest over $650 million to expand its infrastructure in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The company will establish its first data center in Saudi Arabia with a $150 million investment and build a third data center in Indonesia for $500 million, strengthening its global presence.
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.