Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) announced the winners of the 2025 Digital Prosperity Awards, recognizing exceptional initiatives in digital transformation. The awards celebrated achievements in innovation, digital advancement, and societal empowerment across multiple countries. Two flagship awards were presented to NeuroTech from Jordan and SPARK from The Netherlands.
Algeria Telecom and Huawei have launched the national 400G WDM project, creating a high-speed, all-optical network to accelerate Algeria’s digital economy. This ultra-fast network will improve bandwidth, support emerging industries, and enhance public services, helping the country move toward a more digital and intelligent future.
Dubai Internet City has contributed AED100 billion to Dubai’s GDP over the past 15 years, driving innovation and supporting the growth of the tech sector. The district has created over 125,000 jobs and attracted more than 4,000 businesses. It remains a key driver of Dubai’s digital economy and sustainability initiatives.
PTCL Group, in partnership with Pink Collar, hosted the Pink Collar Women Career Fair in Lahore, aiming to bridge gaps between talent and opportunities for Pakistani women. The event showcased PTCL’s women empowerment initiative, ‘Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar,’ and launched Pakistan’s first online job portal dedicated to women.
Malaysia and Bahrain are set to sign several collaborations, including in Islamic fintech, by May this year. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted key areas such as fintech, education, and bilateral investments, emphasizing the importance of research and cooperation to enhance capabilities in digital and energy transitions.
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) concluded its fourth general assembly in Amman, signing memorandums of understanding with key global partners. The event highlighted Jordan’s leadership in advancing the digital economy and marked the transition of presidency to Kuwait for 2025, with a continued focus on inclusive digital growth.
Sri Lanka plans to launch a national data exchange and digital ID system to drive its digital economy. With a goal of implementing the national ID within 18-24 months, the country aims to integrate IoT, AI, and cloud computing across sectors. The data exchange will enhance efficiency and innovation.
Egypt is leading Africa in digital growth, achieving top rankings in fixed internet speed. The country is expanding its outsourcing and digital service exports, with 55 companies entering the market. Egypt is also investing in its workforce, training 200,000 young professionals in AI and digital technologies to boost competitiveness.
Pakistan is participating in AI Everything Global 2025 to boost its digital exports and showcase its tech industry. With over 30 delegates, including 11 companies and two start-ups, Pakistan aims to leverage AI to drive economic transformation and expand its IT exports. The event features global tech giants and investors.
Dubai Internet City will showcase its AI-driven ecosystem at AI Everything Global from February 4-6, 2025. The event will focus on AI’s transformative power for equitable and viable development. The hub brings together 4,000+ businesses and supports innovation, fostering growth in AI technologies aligned with Dubai’s digital economy goals.