Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Huawei and Virgin Mobile UAE have partnered to pre-load the Virgin Mobile app on upcoming Huawei devices, enabling instant access to mobile plans during device setup. The integration streamlines onboarding, supports Huawei’s ecosystem strategy, and enhances Virgin Mobile’s digital-first customer experience, creating a frictionless and convenient connectivity journey for users across the UAE.
The UAE has launched a US$1 billion “AI for Development” initiative to support AI-driven growth across Africa. Managed by ADEX, the program will fund projects in key sectors like education, agriculture, and infrastructure to strengthen digital ecosystems and improve government services. The initiative aims to accelerate sustainable development, deepen UAE–Africa partnerships, and expand economic resilience across the continent.
Intersec 2026’s InCyber Briefing will equip CISOs and cybersecurity leaders with practical insights into AI governance, digital threat evolution, and post-quantum readiness. With the UAE cybersecurity market growing rapidly, the event includes expert keynotes, strategic roundtables, and high-level discussions on securing national infrastructure during accelerated digital transformation. The 27th edition will be the largest to date.
The partnership strengthens the UAE’s cyber resilience by establishing a Cyber Centre of Excellence built around space-focused cybersecurity, advanced cryptography, and national testing labs. Through local talent development, R&D expansion and strong global collaboration, the UAE aims to build sovereign cyber capabilities that support long-term technological leadership.
The UN has praised the UAE’s Arab Digital Economy vision as a regional model, highlighting the UAE’s leadership and forward-looking approach in driving unified digital transformation across the Arab world.
Space42 has successfully completed the first public test flight of its ApusNeo18 HAPS aircraft in the UAE, validating stratospheric performance and preparing the platform for commercial-scale geospatial and telecom applications.
Pakistani fintech Abhi has partnered with UAE’s Numou to deliver embedded financing for SMEs, helping businesses unlock faster working capital availability and strengthen economic resilience in the region.
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.