Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Absher platform processed more than 38 million electronic transactions in November, driven largely by digital identity services and document access. With over 28 million unified digital IDs issued, Absher continues to play a central role in advancing secure, integrated digital government services across the Kingdom.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s DASTAK digital service platform has won the APICTA ICT Award 2025 in the Digital Government & Citizen Services category, marking Pakistan’s first win in this category in 14 years. The platform was recognized for its innovation, scalability, use of advanced technologies, and measurable impact on citizen service delivery across the province.
At the Digital Government Forum 2025 in Riyadh, DGA Governor Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan announced that Saudi Arabia ranks third globally and first regionally in digital government performance. Backed by Vision 2030, the Kingdom has evolved from digital transformation to AI-driven governance, achieving a Digital Content Efficiency Index score of 76.24%. The forum also recognized leading innovators through the Digital Government Award and GovJam Challenge, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s leadership in building a future-ready, human-centric digital government.
Huawei has launched its GovTech1.0 framework to help governments in the Middle East and Central Asia accelerate digital transformation. The initiative combines AI, cloud, and broadband technologies to modernize governance and enhance public services. The model, already taking shape in Saudi Arabia and other regional markets, underscores Huawei’s role in enabling data-driven, intelligent, and sustainable government operations.
Iraq has launched Tasheel, its first electronic document authentication system, allowing citizens to certify documents securely and remotely. The initiative aims to cut bureaucracy, reduce corruption, and improve transparency, with officials framing it as a milestone in the country’s wider digital transformation agenda.
Saudi Arabia’s unification of digital platforms is reshaping citizen experience, cutting inefficiencies, and positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in AI-powered, citizen-centric governance.
Jordan has launched its e-Passport, offering advanced security, biometric features, and ICAO-aligned digital verification, with no extra fees compared to traditional passports. Available from September 1, 2025, via online portals and the Sanad app, the initiative marks a milestone in Jordan’s digital transformation strategy.
Qatar’s MCIT and GTA have released a white paper on the Dhareeba portal, highlighting efficiency gains and time savings since its 2020 launch. The platform simplifies tax services and supports Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030, reinforcing the country’s vision of becoming a global leader in digital governance.
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Experience Maturity Index scores 86.71% in 2025, earning an “advanced” rating and showcasing growth, user satisfaction, and inclusion. The Kingdom leads the region in digital government innovation and service maturity.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior won a digital award for its AI-powered addiction recovery app, reflecting the country’s commitment to innovative government services. The app helps understand behavioral factors to improve recovery outcomes through advanced AI analysis.