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 and Gulf nations continue to dominate MENA internet performance, with speeds exceeding 300 Mbps and a growing divide between high-speed leaders and the rest of the region. Jordan’s strong showing highlights accelerating digital progress beyond the Gulf as connectivity competition intensifies.
The UAE’s TDRA has launched a national 6G initiative to build a next-generation connectivity roadmap integrating AI, quantum computing, and satellite networks. The effort will establish research programs, global partnerships, and standards to position the UAE as a 6G innovation leader.
At the Future Hospitality Summit World 2025 in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy–Les Roches (ADHA–LR) spotlighted the urgent need for digital and agile talent to sustain the UAE’s rapidly expanding $10 billion hospitality market by 2028. Through programs integrating AI, sustainability, and data analytics, the academy is redefining hospitality education to meet evolving industry demands and advance Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030.
Fakeeh University Hospital has become the first UAE hospital to attain HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 accreditation, marking the highest level of digital maturity in global healthcare. Leveraging AI, real-time data, and automation, the hospital delivers paperless, patient-centered care aligned with Dubai’s smart healthcare vision. The milestone reaffirms Fakeeh Health’s commitment to innovation, safety, and humanized digital transformation across the region.
du, in partnership with Nokia and MediaTek, has achieved an industry-first 6.3 Gbps 5G speed in the UAE using advanced carrier aggregation technology. The test combined four 5G TDD carriers over 400 MHz spectrum, marking a major leap in 5G+ capabilities. With this achievement, du strengthens its leadership in high-performance 5G infrastructure, paving the way for next-gen AI, enterprise, and ultra-HD digital experiences across the country.
A new UAE–Kenya subsea cable by du and PEACE Cable establishes the first direct digital corridor between East Africa and the Gulf, boosting internet speed, AI collaboration, and cloud connectivity while positioning both nations as emerging hubs in the global digital economy.
ENEC and Presight have unveiled Eneciq, a sovereign AI platform enhancing decision-making, automation, and knowledge sharing within the UAE’s nuclear energy sector.
IBM and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment signed an agreement at GITEX 2025 to co-develop AI systems for environmental management, including CITES certificate verification and automated compliance, supporting UAE’s sustainability and digital governance goals.
du Pay and talabat launched a UAE-first digital wallet for delivery riders, offering instant salary payments, bill payments, remittances, and mobile top-ups through a secure, Central Bank-licensed system, enhancing financial inclusion and convenience for gig workers.
Digital transactions in the UAE have exceeded $60 billion in 2025, driving a nationwide shift toward e-commerce. Companies like Blue Ocean Global Group are transforming their operations to become tech-enabled distribution hubs, embracing AI, automation, and data analytics to stay ahead in a rapidly digitizing economy.