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 has begun construction of the Hexagon Data Centre in Riyadh, set to become the world’s largest government data centre with 480MW capacity. Led by SDAIA, the Tier IV facility will support government digital services, strengthen national data infrastructure, and advance Vision 2030 goals for a knowledge-based, AI-driven economy.
Saudi Arabia has launched a digital guide to streamline coastal tourism regulations, starting with yachting activities. The platform centralizes requirements, improves transparency for tourists and investors, and supports sustainable tourism growth under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy contributed 16 percent of GDP in 2024, driven by strong growth in ICT revenues, telecommunications activity, and a sharp rise in ICT exports and imports, reflecting the sector’s expanding role in the national economy.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has approved the regulatory frameworks for four Special Economic Zones located in Jazan, the Cloud Computing Zone,…
Merak Capital has invested SAR203 million in Saudi cybersecurity firm DSShield to support expansion of operations, technology development, and managed services. The deal strengthens DSShield’s role in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing cybersecurity market and supports its pathway toward a future public listing.
Saudi Arabia ranked second globally in the World Bank’s 2025 GovTech Maturity Index with a score of 99.64%. Strong results across digital systems, service delivery, and citizen engagement highlight the Kingdom’s rapid digital government transformation aligned with Vision 2030.
Newera.ai has raised $2.13 million in a Pre-Seed round led by Embark to expand its Saudi operations and accelerate generative AI product launches. The funding will strengthen R&D, build partnerships, and support compliant, locally hosted AI solutions aligned with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals.
Saudi Arabia’s workforce transformation under Vision 2030 is being driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence and financial literacy. Experts say human capital that combines digital fluency, financial confidence, and ethical judgment is key to economic diversification, leadership renewal, and sustainable growth across sectors.
Saudi Arabia’s CST has completed a series of investment awareness sessions to strengthen engagement between investors and space startups. The initiative highlighted emerging space technologies, cross-sector applications, and the role of AI and IoT, supporting Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and innovation-led growth.
Telemedicine is reshaping Saudi primary care under Vision 2030, but scaling virtual services raises ethical, privacy, workload, and equity challenges. Sustainable adoption requires culturally aligned consent practices, privacy-by-design governance, institutional support for clinicians, and inclusive digital health strategies to ensure vulnerable populations are not left behind.