Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Cartona, a B2B platform digitizing Egypt’s traditional trade market, raised $8.1 million in a Series A extension. The funds will accelerate growth, expand market share, and support regional expansion. The company’s asset-light model and strong unit economics have driven substantial growth, now serving over 188,000 retailers across 17 Egyptian cities.
The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supported 215 digital startups worth $7 billion in H1 2024, achieving 212% YoY growth. They trained 243 Emiratis under the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative and organized 12 international roadshows. The chamber signed four MoUs to enhance Dubai’s digital business ecosystem and promote industry growth.
Savic has facilitated Gulftainer’s migration from SAP S/4HANA 2020 on Azure to RISE with SAP S/4HANA on Azure, enhancing operational capabilities. This project underscores Savic’s expertise in digital transformation, optimizing core operations, and setting new industry standards, ensuring Gulftainer’s agility, improved customer service, and better decision-making in a dynamic market.
Salam, a leading Saudi telecom provider, has partnered with Oracle in a managed services agreement to boost its digital transformation. Oracle will support Salam in improving operational efficiencies and customer experience, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The collaboration includes implementing Oracle’s cloud solutions and enhancing 5G capabilities.
SLB and Aker BP have formed a long-term partnership to co-develop an AI-driven digital platform using the Delfi platform. This initiative aims to enhance Aker BP’s E&P operations by leveraging advanced AI and cloud technology, driving efficiency, production, and sustainability, and establishing a unified data environment for subsurface workflows.
Algeria’s government is launching a five-year digital transformation strategy aimed at shifting from paper-based to digital management, enhancing transparency, and boosting economic performance. The plan includes a new digitization law and strengthened cybersecurity measures, positioning Algeria to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate ICT development by 2029.
stc has partnered with MEW to supply 500,000 smart electricity meters in Kuwait, supporting the country’s Vision 2035. This project aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce wastage, and improve electricity management. The collaboration underscores stc’s commitment to digital transformation and sustainable development in Kuwait.
Egyptian fintech company MNT-Halan has secured US$157.5 million in funding to support its global expansion. Founded in 2018 to provide digital banking solutions for the unbanked, MNT-Halan’s ecosystem includes business lending, consumer finance, and e-commerce. With over 2.2 million active users, the company aims to extend its innovative financial services internationally.
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) will convene with Member States and digital economy experts to address the recent global IT outage that disrupted essential operations. DCO Secretary General Dheemah AlYahya emphasizes the need for effective international digital cooperation and sustainable policies to mitigate risks and ensure continuity in an increasingly digital world.
Siemens and BAE Systems have signed a five-year agreement to enhance engineering and manufacturing technologies through digital transformation. This partnership aims to develop future capabilities across BAE Systems using Siemens’ NX software, Teamcenter PLM, and edge computing solutions, promoting sustainability, industrial digitalization, and supply chain modernization.