Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has partnered with Thales to revamp the kingdom’s ID card system, enhancing biometric and security features and aligning with global digital standards. This initiative supports Bahrain’s 2030 Economic Vision and aims to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce market is set to reach $14.78 billion this year and $25 billion by 2029. WebCastle Technologies, recently entering the Saudi market, won the Best E-Commerce Agency Award at the 6th Middle East Retail & E-Commerce Summit and Awards KSA for their role in accelerating digital growth.
STEMpedia has successfully concluded the fifth edition of its global innovation fest, Codeavour 5.0 International. The competition encourages children to develop innovative projects using PictoBlox, a visual programming software, while learning AI, coding, and robotics. Supported by various organizations, the event attracted over 1200 participants from 18 countries.
Wink Pay, in collaboration with Visa and Codebase Technologies, has launched Lebanon’s first service for instant issuance of Visa prepaid virtual cards. This innovative solution facilitates secure, transparent payments and digital financial inclusion, targeting over 5 million Lebanese, particularly benefiting those without traditional bank accounts.
Omar Al-Omar, Chairman of CITRA, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on global business and daily life at the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Kuwait. The forum discussed the integration of AI in enhancing governmental and private sector operations, highlighting the shift towards digital smart procedures and services.
The 4th Digital Transformation Jordan and Fintech Jordan conferences began on May 5, 2024, in Amman, under the patronage of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. Over 400 global leaders convened to discuss advancements in fintech and digital transformation, aiming to enhance Jordan’s role in the digital economy.
Orange Business has partnered with EdgeConn to establish direct private connectivity to AWS, enhancing cloud services for the Egypt Ministry of Education. This agreement aims to transform digital content delivery for 22 million students and teachers, reinforcing EdgeConn’s role in Egypt’s education sector’s digital transformation.
Dialog Axiata PLC has reaffirmed its commitment to the GSMA’s Connected Women Commitment Initiative, aiming to close the gender gap in mobile technology use in Sri Lanka. This move supports enhanced access to mobile internet and financial services for women, promoting gender equality and broader socio-economic benefits.
US-based Iozera and the Moroccan government have unveiled plans for a pioneering 386MW data center and AI hub in Tetouan, Morocco. Named Eureka Park, the project emphasizes advanced AI computation and sustainability, utilizing renewable energy sources. Set to begin construction in 2024, it aims to operationalize by mid-2026.
Kazakhstan has completed an interface station for the OneWeb satellite network, aiming to start commercial services within the year. Additionally, the nation is developing a new satellite constellation for Earth observation. Meanwhile, over 170 villages now have satellite internet access, despite recent controversies in the digital ministry.