Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
STC Bank has been recognized as Saudi Arabia’s Best Digital Bank, highlighting its rapid evolution from a digital wallet to a full banking service embraced by millions. The award from Inc. Arabia underscores STC Bank’s innovation and leadership in shaping digital financial services for the Kingdom’s tech-savvy population.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have formalized cooperation to securely exchange personal data under aligned data protection frameworks, enhancing cybersecurity and enabling cross-border digital services. This agreement, alongside prior MOUs, supports regional interoperability and sets higher compliance standards for public and private sector entities.
AIQU’s Deploy-on-Demand model enables Saudi Arabian organizations to fill critical tech roles 50% faster and at 30-50% lower cost than traditional hiring. This solution addresses acute talent shortages under Vision 2030 by providing pre-verified professionals and comprehensive onboarding, supporting agile scaling for digital transformation projects.
Saudi quick-commerce company Ninja raised $250 million in a funding round led by Riyad Capital, reaching a $1.5 billion valuation and gaining unicorn status. Founded in 2022, Ninja delivers groceries and essentials across Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf countries. The funds will support expansion, logistics scaling, and preparation for a planned IPO on the Saudi Exchange by 2027. This investment highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing startup ecosystem and Riyad Capital’s key role in regional venture funding.