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 IT Minister announced the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and a five-point framework to harness data and technology for climate action and sustainable development. Initiatives include a National Incubation Center for Climate AgriTech and Pakistan Stack, aiming to empower youth innovation and digital governance.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing launched an electronic platform for submitting and tracking objections to municipal violations, enhancing transparency and streamlining complaint resolution within 15 days.
Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning launched a digital platform for instant property title deed issuance, cutting service time and reducing in-person visits significantly. The initiative supports Oman’s digital transformation and Vision 2040 goals, with plans to expand accessibility nationwide through kiosks and service halls.
Algeria’s new digital platform enables real-time resolution of land regularization issues, potentially clearing 75% of existing obstacles and modernizing land governance.
Bangladesh’s PDPA draft intensifies data localization pressures, challenging U.S. technology firms with higher costs, legal uncertainty, and diminished scalability, while raising broader concerns over global data governance models.
Egypt has introduced a new e-voting platform and government service monitoring apps, enhancing citizen participation and public service delivery. These digital tools align with Egypt’s Vision 2030, boosting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. The country aims to overcome challenges in rural areas and expand digital governance across the nation.
Egypt has introduced e-voting and government service monitoring apps to enhance transparency and citizen participation. These initiatives aim to streamline elections and improve service delivery, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030. They promote accountability, efficiency, and digital governance, positioning Egypt as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, opened the 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, attended by over 10,000 participants from 160 countries. The event covers topics like cybersecurity, AI, and data privacy across 300 sessions. Notable discussions include the ethics of AI and the growing role of businesses in governance.
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, CEO of Bahrain’s iGA, participated in the 3rd Digital Government Forum and the 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh. He addressed issues like misinformation, Bahrain’s response during the pandemic, and the importance of AI and global cooperation in tackling digital threats, fostering trust in technology.
The 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF), hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from December 15-19, 2024, focuses on building a multistakeholder digital future. For the first time, a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is participating. Discussions include digital service challenges, online threats, and global Internet trust.