Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s PTA and UNDP concluded Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2025 with a national campaign promoting cyber hygiene, digital safety, and information integrity. The initiative brought together government, telecom operators, and international partners, reinforcing cybersecurity as a key pillar of Pakistan’s digital transformation and consumer trust.
Gambit Cyber’s $3.4m seed round signals continued investor interest in AI-driven cybersecurity platforms focused on continuous threat exposure management. With early adoption across financial services, telecom, and critical infrastructure in India, the UAE, and Europe, the company is betting on automation to address alert fatigue and skills gaps, even as proof of large-scale impact remains to be demonstrated.
Pakistan’s annual Cybersecurity Awareness Week concluded with a strong focus on prevention but no new remedies for cybercrime victims. As complaints surge and the NCCIA struggles with staffing, funding, and access issues, critics argue that awareness alone is insufficient without a functional, citizen-friendly redress and protection mechanism.
Pakistan is set to introduce Beep, a locally developed, encrypted messaging app for government officials, designed to secure official communications and integrate with the federal e-Office system. The launch comes amid broader concerns over telecom service quality and data security in the country.
The DCO’s Digital Economy Trends 2026 report projects the digital economy will reach $28 trillion next year, growing three times faster than the global economy. Cybersecurity and AI-led transformation are identified as the most impactful forces shaping economic growth, inclusion, and resilience.
Pakistan remains the world’s top country for searches related to explicit content, but enforcement actions by the PTA have reduced actual viewership, according to its chairman. The regulator has blocked 1.3 million websites, cited legal challenges from conflicting court orders, and highlighted Pakistan’s improved cybersecurity readiness.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has introduced stringent 5G security guidelines ahead of nationwide deployment, treating next-generation networks as critical national infrastructure. The framework mandates Zero Trust architecture, advanced encryption, AI-driven monitoring, and strong IoT protections to ensure a secure, resilient, and globally credible 5G rollout.
Egypt’s telecom regulator has warned of rising smartphone hacking attempts linked to unknown international calls and suspicious messages. The NTRA urged users to avoid answering unfamiliar calls, refrain from opening unknown links, and strengthen app security to protect personal data from cyber threats.
Thales has deepened its partnership with Arab International Optronics to support Egypt’s technology sovereignty through joint training, defence innovation, surveillance systems, and supply chain integration. The expanded collaboration aims to strengthen local industrial capabilities, develop national talent, and position Egypt as a regional hub for advanced, locally produced technologies.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority held a community dialogue session to address electronic fraud, AI-driven cyberattacks, and unlicensed network sharing. The discussion focused on awareness, regulatory readiness, and public engagement to strengthen cybersecurity, close regulatory gaps, and improve trust and service quality in the telecommunications sector.