Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo has made two service-related announcements in recent days – one alongside Nutanix, a leader in hybrid multi-cloud computing, for Qatar Airways, and the other, with digital transformation specialist Netcracker Technology, to enhance Ooredoo’s own CRM offering.

Operator Ooredoo Oman part of the multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Qatar, has signed an agreement for the landing of the 2Africa cable system in Muscat and Salalah.

UAE telecommunications company du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has announced a strategic partnership with STL, a leading optical and digital solutions company, for advanced optical fibre cables.

Dubai-headquartered telecommunication company du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), and global edge-to-cloud company Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have announced a major deal with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), one of the most prominent national banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A US-based technology startup called Iozera, in collaboration with the government of Morocco, has announced an initiative that it says is set to transform the artificial intelligence (AI) industry: the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a “pioneering” 386MW data centre and AI hub in Tetouan, Morocco.

Cairo-based AI developer WideBot announced on Tuesday that state-owned Libyan telco Almadar Aljadid will adopt its Arabic conversational AI chatbot platform to improve customer service.

South Africa-based CMC Networks announced on Tuesday it has launched a new infrastructure as a service (IaaS) solution that offers edge computing cloud services to enterprises across Africa.

Ericsson announced on Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jordanian telco Umniah to expand its 3G and 4G network in major cities across the country.

UAE-based operator e& denied a Bloomberg report claiming the company was in discussions to buy United Group.

Industry organisations Fibre Connect Council MENA (FCC MENA) and the FTTH Council Europe have inked what is described as a significant agreement aimed at fostering collaboration and synergy between the two organisations.

Qatar-based multinational telecommunications company Ooredoo Group has partnered with Nokia to “upgrade connectivity and drive 5G enterprise innovation”, as the two companies put it.

The anticipated merger of Bayanat, an AI-powered geospatial solutions provider, and Yahsat, the UAE’s flagship satellite operator, is now close to completion.

e& UAE will use cloud interconnect solutions from Nokia to deliver services for hyperscalers in its home market.

Saudi Arabian operator Zain KSA and network security specialist Enea have announced a collaboration to pilot the world’s first mobile network signalling overlay technology, which, they say, significantly extends signalling firewall capabilities.

The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) unveiled on Wednesday its roadmap to not only implement 6G in the country, but to contribute heavily to the technology’s global development.

In a move it says is  set to “boost the transition towards a cashless economy and support the national digitalisation agenda”, UAE operator du has announced the launch of du Pay, offering what it calls transformative fintech solutions for UAE residents.

Two recent announcements from Saudi Arabia highlight the growing momentum in that country behind smart city development.

UAE telco du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global internet provider Expereo to help it provide network connectivity to global enterprises with a local presence.

Egypt’s National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) has partnered with Arab Security Consultants (ASC), a distributor of the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) in Egypt, to bolster collaboration in network security and cybersecurity.

Oman fixed broadband provider Awasr announced that it has officially launched the "Oman-IX" internet exchange point in collaboration with regional digital infrastructure services provider Alliance Networks and internet exchange provider AMS-IX.

This week saw a potentially highly significant signing ceremony take place when representatives of Iraq’s Informatics and Telecommunications Public Company (ITPC) and the Kuwaiti service provider Zajil Telecom signed a strategic collaboration agreement to create a communications route from the Gulf to Europe.

Technology giant Huawei has been busy with information and communication technologies (ICT) education initiatives in recent weeks – in Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt.

Orange and online learning company Coursera are launching a free certification training programme for young people in Africa and the Middle East, to provide them with key skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Saudi oil giant Aramco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GCT Semiconductor Holding, a leading designer and supplier of advanced 5G and 4G semiconductor solutions.

Ericsson and Orange Egypt announced on Monday that they have signed a multi-year deal to collaborate on accelerating the telco’s digital transformation by fortifying its backend and building a resilient architecture across its network.

Network International, an enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, says it has entered into a strategic partnership with fintech solutions provider Souhoola to enable merchants with the capability to offer buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) payments at its networkpay point-of-sale terminals in Egypt.

UAE-headquartered technology group operator e&, in partnership with communications and advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi ME, has launched the mobile version of its Wider Web Extension tailored for autistic individuals.

Thuraya, the mobile satellite communication arm of UAE satellite player Yahsat, announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its partnership with Algérie Télécom Satellite to become the authorised distributor of Thuraya’s new direct-to-device (D2D) satellite smartphone in Algeria.

The Saudi Arabian market is to welcome a new player in the cybersecurity solutions field through a venture established by a Public Investment Fund-owned company alongside Korean security solutions business AhnLab. 

Saudi Arabian telco stc Group says it has partnered with Huawei Technologies to complete what they claim is the first long-haul 800G-per-channel trial on a live network in the MENA region.

Following yesterday's news that companies in Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire are being enabled to digitally boost their businesses, there’s news of another business-focused digital offering in Africa – this time in Morocco.