Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Ooredoo Kuwait, in collaboration with FASTtelco and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, celebrates over 6 million views on the digital platform [51], marking a significant milestone in digital entertainment. Launched as a trial, [51] showcases Kuwaiti media on a global scale, aligning with “Kuwait Vision 2035.”
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has launched a digital platform through the Saudi Business Center to streamline key entertainment services, boosting business activity and investment. The initiative supports the Kingdom’s entertainment sector, part of Vision 2030, which saw a 130% rise in visitor numbers and increased licensing activity in 2024.
Arab Financial Services (AFS) and Samsung Gulf Electronics have launched Samsung Pay in Oman, marking a key step in the country’s digital transformation. This partnership combines AFS’s expertise in digital payments with Samsung’s technology, offering Omani consumers secure, convenient contactless payments and supporting Oman’s financial ecosystem and regulatory goals.
Qatar’s computing sector is set to generate $65.5 million in revenue in 2024, with a projected growth to $82.92 million by 2029. The country is advancing digital innovation and transformation, driving demand for digital skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software development. Google Cloud’s presence further supports this growth trajectory.
At the Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad, telecom leaders discussed the critical role of smartphones in bridging Pakistan’s digital divide. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim emphasized the need for affordable smart devices and policy reforms. The summit also highlighted sustainability efforts and the telecom sector’s importance in driving economic growth and digital inclusion.
Huawei Cloud, in collaboration with Fintech Saudi, hosted the Huawei Cloud Fintech Day Saudi Arabia 2024, highlighting innovative cloud solutions for the Kingdom’s fintech industry. The event introduced the Fintech Pioneer Program, offering exclusive support to fintech companies, and emphasized the partnership’s role in driving digital transformation and fostering a robust fintech ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Agency, launched the “Cyber Security Manual for SMEs” to enhance cybersecurity awareness and provide practical guidelines for small and medium-sized enterprises in Qatar. The manual addresses common cyber risks, basic security controls, and employee training, aiming to strengthen the national entrepreneurial ecosystem.
### AOI Localizes Cellular Tower Manufacturing in Egypt
The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) has inaugurated the Cellular Tower Manufacturing Center at its Aircraft Factory, marking a significant step in localizing the manufacturing of cellular towers in Egypt. Mokhtar Abdel Latif, Chairperson of the AOI, led the inauguration, which was attended by Abdul Rahman Osman, General Manager of AOI; Tarek Hassan, Chairperson of the Aircraft Factory; and several industry leaders.
This initiative is part of AOI’s ongoing efforts to localize technology, increase the percentage of local manufacturing, and produce items under the “Made in Egypt” banner. Abdel Latif highlighted the focus on localizing mobile phone communication tower technology and upgrading production lines with the latest digital manufacturing machines. The center features some of the world’s most advanced production lines for angle forming and cutting, with engineers and technicians trained to the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution standards.
The Aircraft Factory of AOI has successfully achieved 100% local manufacturing of mobile phone communication towers. The factory has begun supplying towers to Etisalat&e, fulfilling the company’s increasing demands. By June 2024, 67 communication towers had been manufactured and supplied to Etisalat&e, with 70 more towers in production for delivery by the end of September 2024.
Abdel Latif noted ongoing coordination to sign memorandums of understanding with Telecom Egypt and other major telecom companies to expand mass production of communication towers. He emphasized AOI’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with all Egyptian telecom companies and developing integrated smart solutions in design, manufacturing, and assembly, driven by Egyptian creativity and national manufacturing capabilities. This initiative aims to meet local market needs and expand exports to African and Arab countries.
Bahrain achieved an 89% digital transformation rate in 2024, completing over 4 million eGovernment transactions. Key advancements include expanding eServices to over 700, reducing costs by 75%, and launching new systems like Sijilat 3.0. These efforts reflect Bahrain’s commitment to digital transformation and service quality improvement across all societal sectors.
The Oman Ministry of Labour and Omantel have partnered to train 86 university graduates in fields like AI, IoT, and data science. This initiative supports Oman’s Vision 2040 by developing a skilled workforce and positioning the nation as a digital leader. The Omantel Academy will provide the necessary technical training.