Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia advances initiatives to address AI and computing challenges, emphasizing global collaboration for digital inclusivity. Minister Alswaha’s Geneva talks focus on partnerships in AI, digital governance, IP protection, and sustainable digital development.
Ericsson inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, enhancing its Middle East and Africa presence. The move supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals through innovation, 5G leadership, and talent development. Key partners like stc and Mobily reaffirmed collaboration, while initiatives like the Gen-E Graduate Programme foster local tech expertise.
XDS Datacentres teams with ICS Arabia to build 10MW immersion-cooled data centres in Riyadh and Jeddah by 2026. Facilities will support AI, GPUaaS, and cloud workloads with Tier III certification and high uptime. This project advances Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and sustainable computing goals.
36Zero opens Riyadh office to expand AI and IoT solutions in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector. Building on giga projects involvement, it targets enhanced project management and safety, supported by AstroLabs and key partners. This aligns with Vision 2030 and upcoming global events.
stc group launched a secure, AI-powered nationwide LTE network for Saudi Arabia’s mission-critical sectors, enhancing reliability and innovation in government, healthcare, and oil and gas.
Tarmeez Capital raised strategic funding from stc group’s Tali Ventures to accelerate its sukuk fintech platform, expanding Sharia-compliant finance access and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
Saudi Arabia leads globally in mobile shopping, driven by female consumers, with merchants advancing seamless cross-channel retail despite checkout friction challenges.
Nokia, CST, ACES NH, Mobily, and Zain Saudi completed the first pilot of 5G Standalone indoor coverage using sharable 4.0–4.1 GHz spectrum and active sharing, cutting costs by 60% and enabling all operators to deliver gigabit-class 5G inside buildings efficiently.
Saudi Arabia leads globally in mobile shopping with two-thirds of purchases via smartphones but faces high payment failures and friction, despite advanced infrastructure under Vision 2030. The kingdom’s digital payment adoption is strong, yet user experience issues reveal gaps needing urgent attention for seamless cashless transition.
Saudi Arabia continues to lead global cybersecurity rankings, recognized as a Tier 1 role model by the UN’s ITU. The Kingdom’s national cybersecurity authority and strategic partners drive robust cyber defenses and technology localization, supporting economic development and international collaboration aligned with its digital transformation strategy.