Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The Moroccan government has announced a new program to extend high-speed internet to 1,800 rural areas, part of its National Plan for the Development of High and Very High Speed Broadband. This initiative, aligned with the National Digital Development Strategy 2030, aims to boost economic growth, improve public services, and foster digital inclusion.
e-finance has acquired stakes in Al Ahly Momken (25%) and EasyCash (13%) to expand its digital payments presence in Egypt, supporting Vision 2030. This partnership aims to leverage e-finance’s technology to develop innovative payment solutions, enhancing services for over 90,000 merchants and 5 million customers.
Microsoft and G42 announced a $1 billion digital investment in Kenya, including a state-of-the-art green data centre to support Microsoft Azure. This initiative aims to enhance Kenya’s digital infrastructure, develop local AI models, expand connectivity, and ensure secure cloud services, fostering digital transformation and economic growth across East Africa.
Ooredoo partnered with ICIESTR 2024 to support innovation and knowledge exchange. Organized by UTAS and IEEE, the conference covered emerging technologies, AI, and sustainable engineering, bringing together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to foster digital transformation and technological advancement.
Vodafone Oman has launched BLACK for Business postpaid plans, offering flexible features like data rollover, roaming, and advanced SMS solutions. These plans cater to businesses of all sizes, aiming to empower Omani enterprises with adaptable communication solutions and best international practices.
Rwanda has committed to supporting the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation to boost digital development. Minister Paula Ingabire emphasized the initiative’s goal to transform the innovation landscape by establishing hubs and unlocking venture capital, fostering an environment for young talent to thrive and innovate.
NITDA and Cisco have signed an MoU to advance AI and smart agriculture in Nigeria. This partnership will implement pilot projects in AI, broadband, smart agriculture, and technology learning hubs, aligning with national goals for digitisation, food security, and economic growth.
The SAMENA Leaders’ Summit 2024, held in Dubai, marked a pivotal moment for the global telecommunications sector. Focusing on “Integration, Intelligence & Sustainability,” the summit brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of digital infrastructure.
Robi Axiata and Banglalink have signed an MoU to explore network sharing, aiming to improve 4G access across Bangladesh. This collaboration seeks to enhance cost efficiency, service quality, and environmental sustainability, with support from regulatory bodies and the government’s ‘Smart Bangladesh’ vision.
Core42, a G42 company, has launched the JAIS Chat mobile app for iOS, offering bilingual English and Arabic AI-driven communication. Built on the powerful JAIS 30B model, JAIS Chat excels in both languages and is designed to enhance government communications, customer service automation, and workforce enablement across various sectors.