Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
The UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute, VentureOne, and e& have launched QuantumConnect, a quantum key distribution-based encryption solution. Developed locally, it embeds hardware on fibre networks to deliver future-proof protection against quantum threats, ensuring compliance with UAE cryptography regulations and enhancing data security across regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
The UAE leads globally in mobile internet speed with 584.97 Mbps, followed by Qatar and Kuwait, while Singapore tops fixed internet speeds at 386.96 Mbps. In the Balkans, North Macedonia leads in mobile, Serbia in fixed, and Bosnia and Herzegovina trails with the slowest internet.
Madari Space, an Abu Dhabi startup, will launch its first orbital data centre mission in Q3 2026 with UAE and UN partners. Positioned as a sustainable alternative to Earth-based data centres, the initiative aims to serve Earth observation operators, reduce carbon emissions, and prepare for the future cislunar economy.
du has signed an MoU with the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council to provide women entrepreneurs with telecom solutions tailored to SMEs. The partnership aims to empower women-led businesses, remove digital barriers, and promote innovation, marking du’s first entry into Abu Dhabi’s SME sector.
Holo has raised $22M in Series A funding, led by Impact46 and backed by Mubadala and others, to expand its mortgage fintech platform in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The company aims to simplify homeownership with 500+ mortgage products, regional talent growth, and stronger product innovation.
The UAE tourism sector is transforming with AI-driven personalization, smart entry systems, and sustainable technologies. From eco-friendly hotels to 5G-enabled travel services, the country is creating tailored, safe, and seamless journeys. This positions the UAE as a global leader in tech-driven and sustainable tourism.
e& UAE outperformed rivals in the Opensignal 2025 report, won 12 of 13 national awards, and set a world record 5G uplink speed of 600Mbps. It launched the UAE’s first enterprise 5G slicing, partnered with Ericsson to expand 5G RAN, and continues to power the UAE’s global leadership in digital transformation under Vision 2031.
The UAE AI Office and Samsung Gulf Electronics have launched the third edition of Samsung Innovation Campus as part of AI Camp 2025. The program delivers AI, machine learning, and IoT training to youth, aligning with the UAE’s vision to empower talent and advance digital transformation.
OpenAI’s “Stargate UAE” project aims to counter China’s “autocratic AI” by building a massive datacentre in Abu Dhabi and exporting “democratic AI” across 10 countries. While hailed as a geopolitical move, experts warn it risks strengthening authoritarian control in a state ranked among the worst globally for political freedoms.
The UAE has ranked first globally in telecom infrastructure with a perfect UN score and continues to lead the world in mobile internet speeds. In 2024, it completed 173.7 million digital transactions, reflecting a 91% satisfaction rate. By 2030, AI is expected to contribute US$100 billion to GDP.