Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Lebanon and Jordan signed 21 agreements covering trade, digital transformation, infrastructure, energy, education, and public sector reform. The accords, concluded in Beirut, aim to deepen bilateral cooperation, modernize institutions, and support sustainable development across economic and social sectors in both countries.
Iran engaged regional regulators at SATRC-26 to advance digital cooperation, align on emerging ICT policies, and strengthen spectrum, connectivity, and innovation frameworks across South Asia.
Syria’s communications minister hailed Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation as “exceptional” during an official visit, signaling future ICT cooperation. He confirmed upcoming joint projects under a strategic vision shared by President Ahmad al-Shara and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia participated in the 31st GCC Post and Telecommunications Undersecretaries Meeting, where member states agreed on measures to boost cooperation, review sectoral work plans, and address new technologies including AI. The session built consensus on recommendations to advance the region’s telecom and postal services.
Egypt and Algeria held talks to enhance cooperation in renewable energy and electricity grid modernization. Discussions covered high-voltage transmission, distribution networks, and transformer stations, with a focus on clean energy manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions. Algeria aims to collaborate with Egyptian firms to support its energy transition and decarbonization efforts.
UN Envoy Amandeep Singh Gill commended Egypt’s digital transformation efforts, highlighting its robust infrastructure and the increasing focus on digitization across the Arab world. Gill emphasized the need for global cooperation in digital advancements, especially to foster youth employment. He also discussed regional collaboration on AI governance and digital trade expansion.
A three-day international symposium on spectrum management, organized by BTRC, began in Bangladesh with 200 participants from various countries. The event focuses on outcomes from the World Radio Communication Conference-2023, new ICT innovations, and spectrum management policies to foster regional cooperation in the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
Iran and Oman have signed an MOU to enhance data transit between their countries, increasing capacity to 4.5 terabits per second. This collaboration strengthens Iran’s role as a regional data hub, optimizing infrastructure and reducing transmission costs, while boosting Iran’s position in the global digital economy.
The MENA ICT Forum 2024, held at the Dead Sea, concluded with key recommendations focused on advancing regional technology innovation. The forum emphasized areas like financial technology, cybersecurity, and AI, while also stressing the importance of entrepreneurship, education, and workforce development. These steps aim to enhance global competitiveness in the tech sector.