Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa, as consumers rapidly move away from cash. Mobile payments alone represent 16%, driven by convenience, security, and Vision 2030 reforms that are embedding digital finance into everyday life.
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global AI leader, driven by unified strategy, rapid execution, and deep investment. OpenText executives say the Kingdom is moving faster than any government worldwide, with new infrastructure, education reforms, and workforce programs positioning Vision 2030 as a blueprint for AI-driven growth.
Tarasol has been accredited by Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority after meeting 66 national criteria for government correspondence systems. Selected among only nine platforms, it reflects NVSSoft’s decade-long role in public-sector operations, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s digital governance framework while advancing AI-enabled, compliant, and interoperable government services.
Aramco Digital’s 450MHz industrial network marks a major leap in Saudi Arabia’s industrial digitisation, enabling secure, resilient connectivity for mission-critical operations. With AI-enabled devices and nationwide reach, the platform will power industrial IoT, automation, and real-time monitoring across energy, logistics, utilities, and smart infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in developing Arabic language models in 2025, with over 53 models identified, according to a study by SDAIA and KSGAAL. The report highlights progress in Arabic AI capabilities, growing global interest, and a roadmap to strengthen Arabic’s presence in the global AI ecosystem.
Saudi Arabia recorded near-universal internet usage in 2025, with 99% of residents aged 15–74 online, according to GASTAT. Mobile access dominates, social media leads usage, e-government adoption exceeds 98%, and e-commerce continues to grow, driven by strong female participation.
Red Sea Global and Bunat VC have launched Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated AI investment fund to back AI-native startups from early to growth stages. The initiative combines capital with real-world testing environments across Red Sea destinations, supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation and innovation ecosystem.
Huawei Cloud brought together over 150 partners in Riyadh to reinforce its partner-first cloud strategy in Saudi Arabia. The event highlighted ecosystem growth, innovation, and customer impact, while recognising top-performing partners and reaffirming Huawei Cloud’s long-term commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
Huawei Cloud’s Saudi Arabia Partner Day highlighted the strength and diversity of its local ecosystem and underscored the company’s partner-first approach. By combining strategic investment, enablement programs, and collaborative innovation, Huawei Cloud is positioning its partners to play a central role in delivering scalable cloud solutions and supporting Saudi Arabia’s long-term digital transformation goals.
Artificial intelligence dominated discussions at Riyadh’s Absher Conference, with leaders highlighting its impact on government services, education, and media. Panels emphasized infrastructure readiness, talent development, and AI-powered storytelling, positioning AI as a unifying force driving Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.