Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Sama X has secured regulatory approval to deliver Starlink LEO satellite internet across Jordan, extending high-speed connectivity to remote and underserved areas. Backed by Alghanim Industries, the initiative supports digital government services, enterprises, and communities, aligning with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision and national digital inclusion goals.
PTA has started issuing district-level class licences for internet services to boost broadband access and local entrepreneurship. The 10-year licences come with defined fees and align with wider government efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and advance Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda.
Orange will sponsor the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 for the 17th consecutive year, delivering connectivity, AI-powered digital fan experiences through its Max it super-app, and inclusive physical Fan Zones across Africa. The initiative reinforces Orange’s commitment to innovation, youth development, and accessible football for communities across the continent.
Bangladesh’s internet usage rose to 48.9 percent in 2025, up from 44.5 percent in 2023, according to a BBS survey. While mobile phone access is nearly universal, gaps persist in smartphone ownership, internet use, and gender and urban-rural access, highlighting uneven digital inclusion.
Telecel Faso has begun deploying 300 telecom sites across Burkina Faso under a government project to connect 750 underserved areas. The initiative aims to reduce the digital divide, expand rural and urban coverage, and strengthen Telecel’s market position amid national digital transformation efforts.
Safaricom and Standard Bank are investing $138 million to accelerate Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure rollout, supported by Vodacom’s increased stake. Safaricom now serves 62 million users regionally and 10.1 million in Ethiopia. The partnership aims to expand digital and financial inclusion, empower communities and position Ethiopia as a rising tech powerhouse.
Zain Group has launched three major disability inclusion initiatives to advance its WE ABLE 2030 vision, including a first-of-its-kind MENA partnership with the Business Disability Forum, a new GROW training program for graduates with disabilities, and personalized development plans for employees. The initiatives embed accessibility into hiring, procurement, and career progression, reinforcing Zain’s commitment to inclusive digital growth across the region.
Senegal has launched a nationwide satellite antenna program to connect one million citizens in remote and underserved areas to the Internet by the end of 2026. The initiative prioritizes schools, health facilities, border areas, and isolated government buildings. It supports Senegal’s broader digital transformation efforts, which include data centers, satellite deployment, regulatory cooperation with the ITU, and expanded telecom infrastructure.
Orange Jordan concluded its tourism-focused accessibility hackathon by honouring three winning teams that developed digital solutions designed to make Jordan’s tourism sector more inclusive for persons with disabilities. The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, combined training, mentorship, and innovation to empower students and promote accessible tourism. The hackathon reinforces Jordan’s wider digital inclusion efforts and Orange Jordan’s commitment to breaking barriers and enabling full participation for all.
CRA has concluded its “Everyone Connected, Everyone Engaged” initiative, delivering nationwide digital inclusion programs aligned with ITU’s 160th anniversary. The closing event included an SRMC visit for people with disabilities, showcasing CRA’s monitoring technologies. The initiative promoted youth innovation, senior digital safety and community engagement, supporting Qatar’s broader digital transformation goals.