Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
MWC25 Doha showcases the GCC’s rise as a powerhouse of digital innovation. By bringing global and regional stakeholders together, the event demonstrates how world-class infrastructure, investor appetite, and startup momentum are reshaping the connectivity landscape and positioning the region at the forefront of next-generation technology development.
Taager’s entry into Morocco signals rising demand for low-barrier e-commerce tools across MENA. With its end-to-end infrastructure, Taager aims to help young entrepreneurs start online businesses without upfront costs, positioning Morocco as a gateway for further North African expansion.
Zain Group is accelerating disability inclusion across its eight markets with three new initiatives aligned to its WE ABLE 2030 strategy. The company partnered with Business Disability Forum, expanded its GROW training program for graduates with disabilities, and introduced Individual Development Plans to support career growth for employees with disabilities across the region.
beIN extended its NBA rights across MENA, securing up to nine weekly games plus full playoff and finals coverage on beIN Sports and TOD. The renewed deal, active in 23 countries, reinforces a partnership dating back to 2008 and ensures multilingual, multi-platform access for basketball fans across the region.
Zain Group achieved its best performance in 16 years, with KD 1.7 billion in revenue and 31% profit growth, driven by fintech, AI, and enterprise solutions under its 4WARD strategy — reaffirming its position as MENA’s leading digital powerhouse.
MENA startup funding hit $783M in July 2025, surpassing last year’s total in just seven months. Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated with two unicorns—Ninja and XPANCEO—while Iraq and Morocco surprised with breakout deals. Deeptech and e-commerce led sector growth, but the gender funding gap remains severe.
Impact46 invests $6.6M in diverse MENA gaming studios, supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision to become a global gaming leader through culturally rich and innovative digital content.
EdfaPay secures triple PCI MPoC certifications, becoming the first MENA firm to do so, boosting secure mobile payments adoption and fintech innovation in the region.
MENA startups across fintech, logistics, AI, and SaaS sectors raised significant capital recently, reflecting robust regional innovation. New funds and media partnerships bolster ecosystem growth, while Saudi Arabia hosts OpenAI models locally, enhancing AI access.
Ooredoo is expanding its digital footprint through AI-ready data centres, a subsea fibre network, and fintech growth, with Q1 2025 net profit up 5%. The strategic focus on Syntys, TowerCo, and Fintech positions it as a leading digital infrastructure provider in MENA.