Iran internet blackout estimated to cost $37M+ daily, crippling businesses and society The ongoing digital disconnection is severely stalling commerce, draining millions of dollars daily and pushing many businesses toward collapse. Iran
Interview Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East The Middle East's young population is increasingly adopting AI through mobile devices rather than data center-based solutions, Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East and Africa, told Al-Monitor. Wassim Chourbaji Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa
Iran plans to create closed internet network offering tiered access: Report The shift heralds a new era in which internet access is no longer a right but a government-granted privilege, according to FilterWatch, a US-based group that monitors internet freedom in the Middle East. Iran
Tehran jams Starlink as Iranians take risks to skirt internet blackout Iranians have turned to the US internet provider to get online amid a government-imposed network blackout that began Jan. 8. Iran
Interview Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO Lay Ren President of OPPO MENA
Kurdistan government in Iraq hopes digitalization will bring investment The Kurdistan Regional Government has made progress digitizing government services, but investors say more is needed to attract serious capital and spur startup growth. Iraq
‘Stars aligned’ for Palestinian startups, Gulf investors say Entrepreneurs from the West Bank and Gaza recently visited Dubai to attend a conference on funding for new businesses. Palestine
Saudi Aramco continues to reap big profits The Saudi oil giant has been investing in futuristic technology as it benefits from high oil prices. Legacy: Gulf
Israeli cryptocurrency market attempts to catch up with global pace An Israeli crypto firm becomes the first in the country to get a capital markets license. Israel
Israeli autonomous driving firm goes public Mobileye’s stock rose on its first day trading on Nasdaq. Israel
How startups are contributing to Libya’s economic recovery Digital business in the war-torn country is slowly starting to take seed. North Africa
NFT art, industry boom in Israel Israel might have gotten a late start on NFT art, but it's catching up quickly with active artists and groups on all social networks. Israel
Flying cars, 'edible' robots come together at Dubai tech exhibit GITEX brought in more than 4,000 exhibitors from about 170 countries to demonstrate their products and share their knowledge. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia opens up to new fintech players While Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector presents opportunities for entrepreneurs, VC investors and consumers, there are specific, long-standing challenges hindering the market’s full potential. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi minister meets with Google, Zoom in California The official visit comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to grow its industrial sector. Saudi Arabia
UAE Economy Ministry opens new office in metaverse Developing futuristic technology is a priority for the Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Egypt seeks to attract Chinese mobile companies fleeing India Egypt is trying to take advantage of the crisis between Chinese smartphone companies and India by providing incentives to such companies to lure them into investing in the Egyptian market. Egypt
