Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
TechOman has launched as a national technology community platform aligned with Oman Vision 2040, uniting students, academia, startups, and industry. Founded by Tariq al Barwani, it focuses on youth empowerment, hands-on learning, and startup support, bridging education with market needs to drive a knowledge-based, innovation-led economy.
Kuwait has launched the STEM Racing Academy to train young students in engineering, aerodynamics, and design through hands-on racing car projects and workshops. Developed with Formula 1 and Mabani Real Estate, the program supports the national STEM Racing Championship and prepares Kuwaiti youth to compete in global innovation competitions.
Orange Jordan concluded its 2025 Summer Challenge themed “Startup4Good,” celebrating youth-led innovations in IoT, safety, and accessibility. The program, held with partners META and AWS, nurtured digital skills and entrepreneurship, reinforcing Orange Jordan’s commitment to empowering youth and advancing Jordan’s digital transformation.
Bahraini students showcased innovative tech projects at GITEX Global 2025 under the “Tech Innovators” initiative, highlighting Bahrain’s growing talent in AI and digital transformation. Supported by BTECH and WorkSmart, the program prepares youth for global entrepreneurship and strengthens Bahrain’s innovation ecosystem.
Algérie Telecom has partnered with the Sétif Youth Directorate to provide students and start-up developers free access to collaborative spaces, expert-led training, and an AI lab at its Skills Center. The initiative supports Algeria’s digital transformation strategy by equipping youth with advanced skills and fostering innovation.
Al Dhahirah Governorate launched a three-day tech innovation hackathon at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, engaging over 200 participants in developing solutions for local challenges. The event advances the governorate’s digital transformation agenda through collaboration, mentorship, and expert guidance, with prizes for top teams and plans to scale impactful projects.
SLT-Mobitel’s SLIoT Challenge 2025 successfully showcased Sri Lanka’s emerging IoT talent across schools, universities, and the open sector. By combining expert-led workshops with competitive innovation, the event strengthened youth engagement and contributed to the country’s digital transformation journey. University of Moratuwa teams dominated the university category, while diverse winners highlighted IoT’s wide-reaching impact.
TKAWEN, a digital platform incubated at Badji Mokhtar University, aims to revolutionize Algeria’s certification process with secure, blockchain-powered credentials. The project received strong support from key ministries, positioning it as a cornerstone of Algeria’s digital transformation and sovereign infrastructure for trust, competence, and knowledge-based economy.
Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance, met with Nawaz Sharif to discuss the future of Pakistan’s digital economy and Web3 technologies. The meeting focused on blockchain, fintech, and equipping youth with IT skills. Zhao’s appointment as a strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council was also welcomed.
North Africa is experiencing a digital revolution, with technology driving innovation across sectors like fintech, healthcare, and education. Youth-led initiatives are championing change, while challenges such as digital divides and gender gaps remain. The region is advancing toward sustainable development through digital transformation, boosting equity and resilience.