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 ranks second globally for digital nomads in 2025, recognized for excellent infrastructure, safety, and tax benefits. Its digital nomad visa supports up to one-year stays, positioning the country as a leading hub for remote workers in the growing global market.
The UAE leads global mobile shopping, with 67% using smartphones for recent purchases, outpacing Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Driven by convenience and security, mobile retail grew 23% since 2022. Millennials lead adoption, Gen X follows, and rising cross-channel shopping solidifies the UAE’s role in digital commerce innovation.
Qatar’s Ooredoo and the UAE’s du have launched sovereign AI cloud services hosted locally to provide secure, low-latency access to advanced AI computing power. Ooredoo’s platform, powered by Nvidia Hopper GPUs, and du’s “National Hypercloud,” built on Oracle Alloy infrastructure, aim to accelerate AI adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare, and smart cities. These sovereign clouds enable compliance with national data policies while fostering innovation among governments, startups, and enterprises.
Dubai, UAE – July 2, 2025 — In a major stride toward simplifying company formation in the United Arab Emirates, UAE Free…
TikTok’s UAE launch of ‘Family Academy’ offers families enhanced digital safety tools and guidance, reinforcing responsible online behavior. With new parental controls, privacy settings, and wellbeing features like Wind Down Mode, TikTok strengthens its commitment to protecting young users and fostering healthy digital habits.
du has pioneered access to the Cisco Networking Academy in the region, delivering a comprehensive certification program focused on empowering Emirati youth with skills in AI, programming, cybersecurity, and networking. This initiative, part of du’s Future X talent development program, supports the UAE’s Emiratization vision and equips the workforce to meet the demands of a digital economy. With expanding cohorts and specialized training tracks, du is playing a strategic role in fostering technology leadership within the country.
Tawasul Transport and Mbank launched AE Coin, a UAE-dirham pegged stablecoin, enabling digital payments for Abu Dhabi taxi fares via the AEC Wallet app. The initiative supports the UAE’s smart mobility and digital government goals, with plans to broaden adoption across the country.
The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade surged by 18.6% in Q1 2025, reaching AED 835 billion, driven by a 40.7% jump in non-oil exports. This growth outpaces global averages and is set to help the UAE achieve its AED 4 trillion non-oil trade target four years early. Strong trade gains were seen with top partners like Saudi Arabia, India, and China, reflecting robust economic stability and progress under current leadership.
Key Takeaways: Dubai, UAE – The United Arab Emirates has cemented its position as a global leader in digital transformation, achieving…
The Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025) in Abu Dhabi focused on the UAE’s leadership in tech governance. Keynotes from ministers and experts highlighted AI, quantum computing, and digital transformation. The summit emphasized responsible innovation, global collaboration, and preparing the next generation for the digital future.