Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
SLASSCOM’s Women Technopreneurs Forum concluded Hack Like a Girl 2.0 and Fast Forward 4.0, empowering female tech founders in Sri Lanka. Five startups won Fast Forward’s accelerator support, while university teams presented innovative hackathon projects addressing social challenges. Supported by key partners, these initiatives boost female-led innovation in Sri Lanka’s tech ecosystem.
Futuremakers Women in Tech accelerator launches in Egypt, supporting women-led startups with mentorship, masterclasses, and funding opportunities. The program promotes gender diversity and innovation in Egypt’s tech sector, backed by Standard Chartered, AUC Venture Lab, and Village Capital.
Nepal hosts its first waste hackathon “Bin There, Hacked That” on June 5 to develop tech solutions for waste management and empower informal workers, especially women. Supported by public-private partnerships, it invites innovators to tackle plastic pollution, recycling, and circular economy challenges.
Egypt introduces tax-free startup zones offering customs and tax exemptions, simplified registration, and support services to retain tech talent amid currency shortages. Inspired by Gulf models, the initiative targets AI, fintech, and software sectors, aiming to boost investment and growth while addressing challenges like funding and regulatory hurdles.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Google CEO Ruth Porat to discuss collaboration in AI and technology. The meeting highlighted the UAE’s plans for a full AI transition by 2027, further strengthening ties between the UAE and global tech leaders.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supported the growth of 127 digital startups in Q1 2025, a 135% increase from 2024. The chamber hosted key events, offered upskilling programs, and expanded its ‘Business in Dubai’ platform. Global roadshows promoted Dubai as a tech hub, culminating in the upcoming Expand North Star event.
Web Summit Qatar 2025 gathered over 25,000 attendees, 1,500 startups, and 700 investors, marking the largest tech event in the Middle East. Influential speakers like Paddy Cosgrave, Will Smith, and Alexander Wang participated, positioning Doha as a key global innovation hub and fostering collaborations in technology and entrepreneurship.
GITEX Africa Morocco 2025 will bring together 45,000 attendees from over 130 countries to showcase innovations in AI, fintech, health tech, and more. The event will foster collaboration across key sectors like energy, mobility, and AI, positioning Africa as a global tech leader and accelerating its digital economy.
Parcel, a Hope Ventures portfolio company, has expanded into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after successfully completing over 1.5 million deliveries in Bahrain. The platform offers businesses a cost-effective, tech-driven alternative to managing delivery fleets, connecting them with a network of on-demand drivers. The expansion marks a key milestone in regional growth.
Web Summit Qatar 2025 will bring over 20,000 attendees to Doha from February 23-26, featuring industry leaders, 1,200+ startups, and sessions on AI, fintech, and digital transformation. The event promises to be a hub for innovation, networking, and collaboration with over 300 global speakers and top investors.