Through a Master Frame Agreement, stc will tap Ericsson’s latest portfolio of solutions, building on a long-standing agreement between the pair which included work to launch Saudi Arabia’s first 5G network in 2019.

The operator said it will use Ericsson’s technologies to accelerate 5G expansion and the rollout of standalone 5G, 5G-Advanced and massive MIMO.

Using standalone 5G features including network slicing, stc pointed to the potential to offer differentiated connectivity for a wide range of use cases across the consumer and enterprise segments.

Longer term, the deal is touted as being aligned to Saudi Arabia’s 2030 government vision and aims around readiness for 6G and self-optimising networks.

Stc wants to develop a “scalable, resilient and future-ready mobile network”, advancing digital inclusion and next-generation technology adoption across the Kingdom.

Abdullah Alowini, supply chain VP at stc said the agreement will help it accelerate enterprise innovation and supports an ambition to “build a globally competitive digital economy”.

Earlier this year, Ericsson deepened its commitment to Saudi Arabia by announcing Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, would be the headquarters for its Africa and Middle East operations.

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Mobile World Live’s Kavit Majithia was on the MWC25 Doha showfloor at Naaas Holdings’ stand to learn more about (and try on) the company’s exoskeleton robotic device. 

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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the companies shores up a partnership spanning several years to provide secure and reliable connectivity to various industries in Qatar.

The companies revealed the deal after MWC25 Doha closed.

Hytera stated the pair are focusing on developing and enhancing services to improve resilience through better coordination, safety and quality. The company itself provides various professional communications technologies.

The goal of the MoU is to boost services provided to public safety bodies and utilities, along with organisations in the transport, health and building sectors. The arrangement employs Vodafone’s network capabilities to boost digital transformations.

“This partnership is a pivotal step in our mission to deliver world-class communications”, Vodafone Enterprise Business unit director Mohamed Mohsin Alyafei (pictured, left) said.

He explained the companies are keen to promote Qatari goals to employ digitalisation as a driver of growth.

Hytera VP Stanley Song (pictured, right) said the pair would “continue to bring advanced communications capabilities” to organisations in Qatar.

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Justin Springham has all the action from the new show; with AI and robotics dominating discussion.

The post MWC25 Doha: Event highlights appeared first on Mobile World Live.

During the session, Qatar Computer Research Institute principal scientist Mohamed Eltabakh (pictured), who is involved in the development of local AI platform Fanar, noted although common models developed primarily in English were getting better with the Arabic language there were “great and high risks” from just using these platforms.

Among these are privacy concerns meaning sensitive data cannot be shared with platforms outside of the country, fears of bias, and uncertainty that comes from using a technology where “you don’t own the roadmap”.

“We know that ChatGPT, [Google] Gemini and all of these models are built by 90 per cent Western data. There are inherent biases in these models, whether you like it or you don’t like it”.

Noting there was a slant towards Western languages compared to others such as Arabic, he also highlighted cultural bias.

“If you are building any application that has social impact or social connection, biases will play a role”.

He also noted the Arabic language was not well represented online, hampering the ability for many existing models to gather appropriate information for use in AI models.

“If we don’t do something special to protect the Arabic language eventually it can die,” Eltabakh added, indicating this was part of the reason for the development of Fanar.

Human-machine interaction
Earlier in the session Dr Mohammed Al Sada (pictured, below), executive director of the Qatar Mobility Innovations Center at Qatar University, discussed its work investigating future technologies.

Noting the importance of adopting a “producer mindset” in Qatar, he added: “If we don’t create the future, we will always be following so that’s why we need to take the initiative to create a future that reflects our values and maintains our humanity”.

Among the areas it is developing are those contributing to “industry 5.0” and “society 5.0”.

These include use of collaborative robots for small and medium-sized businesses, human-machine interface technologies, and work on a project to aid machines in handling delicate goods and tasks.

“As humans we have soft bodies that enable us to interact with the real world, interact with different objects, holding things, so we need to reflect that on machines,” he added, stating it aims to develop parts for the end of robot limbs that are “soft, inflatable and can interact with some delicate objects just like a human would do”.

Applying AI
One company which has been delivering results, and a lot of other things, with the help of AI is Qatari logistics and ecommerce app company Snoonu.

During his segment, founder and CEO Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri (pictured, left) outlined the business benefits it has gained from using AI and machine learning across its operations, as it seeks to provide users with rapid deliveries and increase the number of purchases made.

Areas it is using the technology for are hyper-local push notifications, curation of recommendations, and improving logistics with real-time tracking and demand forecasts.   

Sharing his lessons with the audience, he advised “use the AI to increase your revenue, use your AI to reduce your costs, use your AI to increase your efficiency and improve your metrics”.

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At MWC25 Doha Dana Al-Abdulla, National Cyber Policies Affairs Director, discusses the NCSA’s role in strengthening cyber resilience in critical sectors and fostering a trusted environment for Qatar’s digital transformation.

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Q1: What is the AI opportunity for the Middle East?

Data centers are the essential backbone of the AI revolution. Previously viewed as an enabler, AI infrastructure is becoming a key determinant of economic advantage. Our report projects that global data center power demand will more than double from 86GW in 2025 to reach 198GW by 2030. We are forecasting that more than half of the total data center power demand in 2030 will support AI. Inferencing – the repeated and widespread use of AI models – will account for more than 80% of this demand for AI compute.

While North America will continue to be the major center for both AI computing power demand and capacity, BCG forecasts that by 2028, approximately 35% of global data center power capacity will be located outside the US. This will be driven by a number of factors.

Firstly, AI sovereignty requirements will demand localized AI data centers in many countries.

The growth in the use of AI applications with less stringent latency requirements, where proximity to users is less important, will allow data centers to be located to prioritize factors such as operating costs or sustainability. Accessible locations offering reliable low-cost power will become increasingly attractive, including US-based AI operators: the long-standing friendly relations between the US and states in the Middle East will provide confidence for inward investment into the region.

The Middle East benefits from distinctive structural advantages. The region, which has been at the center of trade routes for centuries and is now home to some of the world’s biggest airlines, is strategically located within a 2,000-mile radius of more than three billion people. Non-latency-sensitive AI inferencing can be served at scale to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the global south from the region.

The planned ~720 Tbps Fibre in the Gulf – FIG – submarine cable project will be a significant boost to digital connectivity: linking Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, FIG will also provide a new shorter and secure lower latency connection to Europe.

Q2: Why is the Middle East well suited to AI data center investments?

The Middle East has important selling points over and above its strategic location. The region offers expansive land availability, which is complemented by highly scalable power ecosystems. There is also significant local capacity to invest in transformational technologies that can help maintain growth that has exceeded most other regions in recent years.

The region offers lower costs, with leasing costs typically up to 50% below the global average. Lower taxation and some of the world’s lowest power tariffs allow world-beating power usage efficiency (PUE) and contribute to substantial reductions in total cost of ownership.

Several countries in the region offer dedicated investment teams, data center clusters within Special Economic Zones – such as the Stargate campus in Masdar city in Abu Dhabi – and streamlined regulatory processes, including fast-track permits. These can greatly simplify licensing, shortening time to completion and time-to-market.

Supportive regulatory frameworks, including the free flow of data, ensure operational continuity and security for investors. The risks of natural disasters are also minimal.

Q3: What progress has the region made to date?

The Middle East is positioning itself to become a global hub for AI infrastructure. With strategic investments, progressive digital policies, and ambitious national visions across Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, the region is building the foundation for scalable, next-generation AI compute.

So far, Saudi Arabia has launched HUMAIN with a target of 1.9GW AI data center capacity. The kingdom has established partnerships with NVIDIA, AMD, AWS, DataVolt, and Groq to develop multi-hundred-megawatt AI campuses, including the world’s largest AI compute center.

The UAE is advancing a 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi under the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership and is importing 500,000 GPUs for regional and US partners. This initiative is being supported by Microsoft’s US$15.2 billion AI and cloud infrastructure investment.

Strategic investments from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) are helping deliver the Qatar Digital Vision 2030 by steadily strengthening Qatar’s competitive position in the global AI and technology race. These investments include the establishment of a US$3 billion global platform to accelerate international AI and cloud infrastructure expansion, as well as participation in Anthropic’s US$13 billion funding round –one of the largest AI financing rounds in history.

Q4: Could Middle East states be doing more to seize this opportunity?

To fully unlock the region’s potential, BCG would recommend that governments create streamlined, unified investment packages that integrate key inputs such as land, power, water, and connectivity within clear, time-bound frameworks.

Expanding a diverse ecosystem of business and financing models – that include hyperscalers, GPU-as-a-Service providers, equity platforms, and bond-backed investments – will provide flexibility for market entrants. Our report also emphasizes the importance of strengthening partnerships with chipset suppliers, research institutions, and component manufacturers to accelerate innovation across the AI data center value chain.

Q5: You’ll be participating in a session on the AI Economy at MWC Doha 2025. Does the region possess the necessary skills to make the most of this AI opportunity?

The GCC today has a solid foundation of digital and technical skills, but fully capturing the AI opportunity requires moving beyond general digital literacy toward specialized, industry-specific AI capabilities. Over the last decade, the region has invested heavily in STEM education, coding initiatives, national digital academies, and partnerships with global tech players – and these efforts are paying off. We now see a growing pipeline of data analysts, machine learning engineers, product managers, and cybersecurity professionals.

However, the real bottleneck is not basic talent, it’s depth and specialization. To unlock the next wave of value, the region needs more AI architects, prompt engineers, model evaluators, sector-specific AI practitioners, and human-in-the-loop oversight roles. These are emerging globally, not just in the Gulf.

The good news is that the GCC’s model works: combining strong domestic talent with global expertise while rapidly upskilling the existing workforce. With continued investment in targeted training, public-private collaboration, and practical hands-on programs, the GCC is well-positioned to translate ambition into global AI leadership.

Marc Nasr will be speaking in the MWC Doha 2025 session The AI Economy Summit – Humans in the Loop: Reimagining Work and Investment in the Age of AI on Wednesday 26 November (Rose Stage, 12:25 AST)

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Al-Kuwari declared “everything depends on the quality of national digital infrastructure” noting Qatar had put itself ahead of the curve with forward-thinking policies and the network his company has been rolling out.

“Our networks today are designed not only for covering demand but for future transformation: AI driven automation, large scale data flows, immersive smart city experiences, cloud-native applications and services that require speed and sustainability beyond the traditional standards.”

In what was a strong theme of the opening keynote, the executive highlighted the need for digital, and especially AI technology, to benefit all.

“As technology accelerates, inclusivity must advance with equal force,” the executive said, noting Qatar’s authorities had “recognised that digital transformation only fulfils the purpose when it benefits every individual regardless of location, ability or socioeconomic backgrounds”.

“We are moving fast into an era where data becomes the currency of development, connectivity becomes the human necessity, and AI becomes the background of national progress,” he added.

“Qatar anticipated this global shift early under the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the digital agenda of the Ministry [of Communications and IT]”.

Al-Kuwari stated as a result of these measures the country “stands amongst the most digitally connected nations across the globe, not by coincidence but by design and effort”.

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Held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the inaugural edition of the show brings together leaders in the region with a focus on AI, 5G and intelligent infrastructure.

Launched alongside the event, two GSMA reports: Mobile Economy MENA 2025 and Enterprise in Focus: Digital Transformation in the MENA Region, revealed how growing digital technology adoption across the Gulf and North Africa is helping to expand access to vital services.

Findings indicate MWC25 Doha host country Qatar ranks highest worldwide for enterprise use of AI, big data and private 5G.

Other highlights from the reports include an observation 5G adoption is accelerating rapidly across MENA, with the technology expected to rise from 7 per cent of total connections in 2024 to 48 per cent by 2030.

Across the same timeframe, the mobile sector is to contribute $470 billion to the region’s economy, up from $350 billion, and mobile internet users are to rise from 308 million in 2024 to 378 million by 2030.

AI, mobile connectivity and related devices are expected to account for 45 per cent of all digital transformation spend through to the end of the decade, with enterprise spending averaging 9.8 per cent of revenue across MENA between 2025 and 2030.

Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, said MWC25 Doha represents a major moment for MENA and the global connectivity community.

“Across the region, we’re seeing world-class investment in networks, AI and digital services, and this visible ambition is creating new opportunities for societies and economies.”

Shared priority
Badrinath, however, added that at the same time, large parts of the region remain offline and closing the gap must be a shared priority.

“The conversations starting here in Doha can guide the next phase of progress and inspire many geographies.”

In the reports, the GSMA notes more than 340 million people across MENA remain offline despite having access to mobile broadband coverage.

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Qualcomm detailed plans to establish the AI Engineering Centre at a Humain facility in Riyadh, advancing a previous data centre access arrangement.

The centre is scheduled to open next month, focusing on accelerating the development and deployment of Humain edge-to-cloud services, along with broadening access to the Saudi company’s AI services.

Qualcomm’s engineering site is also tasked with integrating AI models, and developing the technology and broader market.

President and CEO Cristiano Amon (pictured, left), said the facility would “serve as a key technology and ecosystem development hub”.

Humain CEO Tareq Amin (pictured, right) added the companies hope to “unlock value across industries” and establish a leading position in AI technology.

JV
The Saudi Public Investment Fund company separately agreed to establish a joint venture with Cisco and AMD to deliver up to 1GW of AI infrastructure by 2030.

Humain, Cisco and AMD are to be founding investors in the JV, which they aim to have operational in 2026 with the deployment of 100MW of capacity.

The business will draw on Humain’s data centres, AMD’s Instinct MI450 series GPUs and Cisco’s critical infrastructure.

Amin said the JV would push “the frontier of AI compute” and provide the capacity needed to meet demand in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Cisco research indicates GPU capacity is currently a limitation on Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions despite a majority of companies plotting moves involving agentic iterations.

CEO Chuck Robbins believes the JV will provide the “secure, scalable, critical infrastructure” needed to deliver on Saudi Arabia’s “vision for a digitally advanced” economy based on AI.

AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su explained collaborations are key to providing “high-performance global AI infrastructure at scale”, adding the company intends to establish a centre of excellence to drive innovation and oversee integration.

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The additional capacity will be delivered through G42 subsidiary Khazna Data Centers with operations slated to begin by the end of 2026.

The expansion will provide further AI and cloud infrastructure across the country, “strengthening Microsoft Azure’s secure, scalable, and sovereign cloud services” while supporting the UAE’s national digital economy strategy.

The move comes on the heels of the tech giant announcing an investment in the UAE earlier this month, pledging a sum of $15.2 billion by 2029.

Microsoft also revealed it is first company under the administration of US President Donald Trump to secure export licenses from the US Commerce Department to ship Nvidia GPUs to the UAE.

In 2024 Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in a minority stake in G42, a deal which gave the tech giant a seat on the company’s board of directors.

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In a statement, du explained the Cloud Miner platform allows UAE residents to rent the required computational power on a subscription basis to engage in Bitcoin mining.

Customers wishing to participate are invited to an online auction running from today (3 November) to 9 November as part of a first phase, with contracts on offer for a lock-in period of 24 months.

The number of contracts will be expanded in the second phase.

Cloud Miner is being positioned as a mining as a service platform, explained du, and also covers other cryptocurrencies. Essentially, it allows users to engage in mining without facing the challenges of owning hardware, paying electricity costs or maintenance concerns.

It will run the service through data centres in the UAE, with each contract offering a capacity of 250 terahashes per second on a monthly basis. This will be converted into cryptocurrency, linked directly to crypto wallets.

Speaking to The National, du’s chief ICT officer Jasim Al Awadi said mining was the first step for the operator to provide more digital assets services.

“The adoption of cryptocurrencies expanded in the last two years when big names stepped in,” said Al Awadi. “And today, for people to trust mining, they need a trusted partner that follows all the rules and regulations of the country.”

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The crux of the deal involves using Sateliot’s 5G NB-IoT satellite constellation to connect Datakorum devices and related technology for smart metering purposes.

Sateliot stated the companies are launching a proof-of-concept to authenticate the handover between terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G networks.

Their work covers ensuring consistent and resilient data transmissions from remote areas and aims to prove the potential of satellite-based systems in a country the company stated is ripe for 5G IoT to take-off.

It stated the value of 5G IoT services in the UAE is expected to hit $1.7 billion by 2030.

In addition to proving the link between satellite and terrestrial infrastructure, the work will enhance Spain-based Datakorum’s connectivity-as-a-service product. The companies expect their work to eliminate coverage gaps and so unlock the IoT’s full potential in energy, water management and smart infrastructure settings.

Sateliot CCO Gianluca Redolfi said both companies want to “push the boundaries of IoT”.

“The UAE is a key strategic market and by joining forces with Datakorum, we are demonstrating how our technology delivers real value in one of the world’s most innovative regions.”

Rafael Martinez, R&D director with Datakorum, said non-terrestrial 5G would help it close coverage gaps and boost the options open to organisations in the UAE, in turn advancing digital transformation goals.

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In a joint statement the companies explained the deal is the first in the region for AST SpaceMobile and involves a $175 million upfront service payment by stc along with a long-term revenue commitment.

AST SpaceMobile plans to build three ground stations in Saudi Arabia along with a network operations centre in Riyadh to manage the service.

The integration of AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure will help extend 4G and 5G coverage to remote areas, they stated.

Consumers, enterprises and government users will gain access to broadband and voice services, with the companies targeting a commercial launch in Q4 2026, subject to regulatory approvals from Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and other regional authorities.

The partners aim to expand mobile coverage to millions of users in underserved areas across stc’s 15-country footprint, which includes subsidiaries in Kuwait and Bahrain.

AST SpaceMobile founder and CEO Abel Avellan said the collaboration “will create a paradigm shift in how people connect” and is “a major leap forward” toward universal broadband coverage.

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The arrangement involves establishing an AI institute at KAUST, a move expected to contribute to broader Saudi Arabian digital goals as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy.

Cisco stated it is bringing its networking, cybersecurity and cloud-scale AI expertise to the table, with KAUST providing leading research capabilities and facilities.

The institute will focus on AI R&D along with education and staff skills. Cisco stated work would cover native communication systems and advanced edge infrastructure to propel the next industrial revolution spanning intelligent factories along with autonomous mobility and transport systems.

KAUST president Sir Edward Byrne credited a collaboration with Cisco spanning more than 20 years as a key element in the university’s work to-date and said the AI institute would be “crucial for equipping our students with the vital skills needed for jobs of the future”.

Cisco chair and CEO Chuck Robbins concurred, explaining staff skills are an important element in unlocking the potential of AI.

The partners intend to promote local AI talent as part of the initiative.

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Speaking during a CNBC interview at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference that runs from 27-30 October in Riyadh, Ross stated Saudia Arabia could become a net exporter of data due to its surplus energy.

“One of the things that’s hard to export is energy,” he explained in the interview. “You have to move it, it’s physical, it costs money. Electricity, transporting it over transmission lines is very expensive.”

He said since there’s plenty of excess energy in Saudia Arabia, “the idea is move the data here, put the compute here, do the computation for AI here and send the results.”

 “What we’re doing is we’re building out an enormous data centre here,” Ross stated. “What you don’t want do is build a data centre right next to people where it’s expensive for the land or where the energy’s already being used.

“You want to build it where there aren’t too many people, where the energy is underutilized. And that’s the Middle East, so this is the ideal place to build out.”

In February, Aramco Digital-backed Groq launched the largest AI inferencing platform in the Middle East which included a $1.5 billion investment by Aramco Digital’s parent and Groq itself.

Rivals xAI,  Google, Meta Platforms and Microsoft are also scrambling to invest billions of dollars across the region on compute infrastructure and building large data centre clusters to train their models.

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Under the agreement, Ericsson will deploy kit supporting enhanced communication, train control and safety across SAR’s lines.

The partners plan to trial use cases including real-time video streaming, IoT connectivity and high-speed passenger broadband. The initial deployment will cover just one of its routes to assess performance under real-world conditions.

As part of the initiative, Ericsson and SAR will establish a dedicated innovation centre to trial and validate 5G applications. They will also introduce training programs to build local expertise and equip SAR’s workforce to use advanced communications technologies.

In a statement, Ericsson stated the project “highlights the transformative potential that 5G technology can offer” and “marks an important step toward the modernisation of rail communication systems in Saudi Arabia”.

The company said the joint project supports the country’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This is part of Saudi Vision 2030, a nationwide initiative which aims to boost connectivity, efficiency and digital transformation across Saudi Arabia.

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During the event’s opening keynote, Mupita told GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath (pictured, left) that while coverage has improved across much of the continent, usage and investment remain constrained by legacy rules and rising costs. “I think that some of the regulatory frameworks that we have across our continent were designed for the voice era,” he stated. “In the voice era, networks were built in a very capital-light approach. You couldn’t really fill up voice networks, so to speak, but you do fill up data networks very easily.”

He urged policymakers to start “with a clean set of paper” and design frameworks for digital societies rather than legacy systems. “We need a very clear roadmap towards digital Africa, the digital societies we want, and then build regulation and frameworks from there.”

Mupita added that high spectrum costs and heavy taxation continue to undermine investment, urging policymakers to rethink pricing and competition models. “Mobile network operators do not meet the cost of capital for the infrastructure that’s provided,” he said, calling for “price floors in markets so that we support and protect investments”.

Level playing field
In the keynote, Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker echoed these calls for smarter regulation, stressing the need for balanced competition and sustained innovation.

“We have to ensure that we have the same playing field that all players,” he said. “I don’t think we’re only competing against operators,” he noted, adding that today, telcos also compete against fintechs, OTTs and satellites players.

Shaker explained that “clarity is very important for investment,” arguing that fair rules and consistent policy would help operators continue investing in innovation. “We just need to have the same playing field for everyone.”

Three Africas
Also on stage, Airtel Africa Group CEO Sunil Taldar noted that the continent’s digital markets are developing at different speeds, highlighting distinct challenges across regions that he described as “three Africas”. The “core Africa” of major cities such as Lagos and Nairobi where digital engagement rivals global peers and anchors the continent’s growth, the “emerging Africa” of tier-two cities shifting from voice to data, and “rural Africa,” which Taldar hailed as “the single biggest opportunity.”

“In my view, the real strength of Africa lies not only in its demand or demographics, but in its mindset,” Taldar said, hailing innovation across the continent. He called for the industry to “redefine cost economies to further connectivity and leverage AI to build greener and reliable networks.”

“Africa’s telecom story is not about catching up,” he stated. “It’s about leapfrogging… from access to productivity”.

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Announced at conference GITEX Global in Dubai, the deal comprises various applications including unified data management (UDM), IP multimedia subsystem, user data consolidation and secure entitlement server.

The vendor noted the infrastructure runs on a combination of its platform and e&’s own cloud, adding it provided the means for the operator to use “cutting-edge 5G capabilities while ensuring robust platform stability through automation, continuous software updates and optimisations”.

e& UAE SVP core network and platforms Khaled Al Suwaidi said the upgrade is “about making everyday connectivity simpler, faster and more dependable for everyone in the UAE”.

“It lets us launch new services sooner, reduce delays and improve call quality. It also strengthens how we support businesses, from smart industry to public services, with secure and reliable connectivity.”

President of Ericsson Gulf at the vendor’s MEA division Petra Schirren added it is “enabling the secure, high-performance connectivity needed to power innovation across industries and accelerate new 5G use cases”.

The deal is the latest in a longstanding relationship between the pair and, Ericsson noted, builds directly on an UDM contract signed in 2020.

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The operation, a hernia repair, was carried out from Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait on a patient in Sao Paulo, Brazil, more than 12,000km away in what is now the furthest intercontinental robotic surgery ever recorded. The tele-surgery relied on Zain’s MPLS infrastructure to deliver near real-time connectivity with 199ms latency and 80Mb/s bandwidth.

The operator explained that network performance was critical to the surgery’s success, with low latency, high speed and minimal packet loss essential to ensuring surgical precision. “Our digital infrastructure and advanced network played a decisive role in providing a stable, instant connection that enabled a highly precise and reliable robotic surgery,” noted Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO at Zain Kuwait (pictured, second right).

He hailed the milestone a “serious step toward a thriving digital future”, highlighting Zain’s role in enabling mission-critical health applications as part of its broader digital transformation strategy.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the feat this week, crediting collaboration between government, telco and scientific partners. The procedure was completed by a joint team of Kuwaiti and Brazilian surgeons using robotic systems supported by UK-based medical device player Edge Medical and Arab healthcare technology company Aumet.

Ameenah Rajab Farhan, DG of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (pictured, second left), said the record, which “feels almost like fiction”, positions the country “at the forefront of scientific progress and innovation”.

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The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is already looking to build on its current smart tech as part of a strategy spanning 2025 to 2030. It plans to up the scope of predictive analytics, employ AI in driver training and customer service, and launch an open data platform to spur collaboration with academic and industrial sectors.

It highlighted the boost in punctuality as a palpable benefit of its move to employ large-scale databases and advanced analytics in its bus operations.

The authority is also automating various related technologies and seeking opportunities across the wider public transport network.

Marwan Al Zarooni, director of Buses at the RTA, said the lift in the “bus schedule compliance index” was delivered by “re-engineering bus operating times in real time and implementing data-driven procedures”.

Cancellation rates were cut 4 per cent using an AI model, he said.

The RTA argued the figures mean AI is “no longer an experimental option”, rather a technology which is now “actively contributing” to better public transport in Dubai.

A data-driven weather response mechanism was also created, contributing to passenger safety efforts particularly in extreme meteorological events.

Trucking
The RTA issued the data on its bus service a day after advancing an autonomous driving strategy for articulated vehicles by adopting a regulatory framework.

Included are licensing procedures, evaluation of initial operational trials and technical standards, among other requirements.

Dubai targets 25 per cent of all mobility journeys to be autonomous by 2030, seeking a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and a 10 per cent boost to operational efficiency.

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The strategic collaboration involves using Accenture’s AI Refinery platform and Cassava Technologies’ GPU-as-a-service capabilities to enable the latter’s customers to process relevant workloads and data within their respective national boundaries.

Accenture and Cassava Technologies stated the approach would address local requirements and regulations, and employ secure data centres running Nvidia AI infrastructure.

Cassava Technologies plots a similar phased deployment to a deal agreed with Nvidia earlier this year, with the Accenture tie-up to first target South Africa before being expanded to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria.

Data traffic is to run on Cassava Technologies’ fibre networks.

The companies stated the collaboration would help localise AI for African markets by incorporating the “context, languages and cultural nuances of the region”. They aim to provide more relevant, real-world set-ups to sectors including financial services, mining, telecoms, agriculture and healthcare.

Cassava Technologies committed to invest in and deploy the necessary infrastructure.

CEO Ahmed El Beheiry said Cassava Technologies intends to “drive the continent’s AI revolution” by ensuring the infrastructure and services are in place.

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“We don’t launch new [MWC] additions very often, and when we do, it’s a great cause for celebration, but it’s also a massive responsibility,” GSMA Ltd CEO John Hoffman remarked at a press conference in Doha this morning. “We want to make sure that we deliver what people know and need from an MWC event.”

To that end, the familiar facets of a MWC event will be in place in Doha: a keynote programme and full conference agenda featuring more than 200 speakers; three exhibition halls at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, startup event 4YFN; as well as a Ministerial Programme and the GSMA Digital Leaders Programme.

The event will also feature Smart City Expo Doha, a spin-off from Smart City Expo World Congress – an annual November event held at the home of MWC Barcelona, Fira de Barcelona.

Running 25-26 November, MWC25 Doha is the first of a five-year agreement between the GSMA and Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

Last year the GSMA held a smaller ‘M360 MENA’ event in Doha in November.

Economic impact
There were no details revealed on targeted number of attendees but GSMA’s Hoffman talked up the economic impact of hosting an MWC event in Doha.

“The GSMA will retain an independent third party agency, as we do in all of our events, to calculate the economic impact,” stated Hoffman. “It ranges from tens of millions of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars for some of our larger events. As a guide post, in Barcelona, more than €500 million per year are the direct impact of MWC in Barcelona. Now we won’t see those kinds of numbers in year one of MWC25 Doha, but we do believe it will be in the tens of millions, possibly approaching $100 million, as we build the event over time.”

As the first MWC event in the Middle East, MWC25 Doha is designed to support Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030. But the GSMA was also keen to talk up the international flavour of the event; 80 per cent of the 150 exhibitors already committed are international (names such as Cisco, Dell, Google Cloud, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei, Microsoft, Nokia, Veon, Vodafone and ZTE), with country pavilions on the showfloor from South Korea and Turkiye.

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The new lab will combine TII’s applied research in robotics, AI and high-performance computing with Nvidia’s accelerated computing platforms and AI expertise, marking the first Nvidia AI Technology Centre (NVAITC) in the Middle East.

TII, the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), stated the lab will drive innovation in embodied AI, humanoid stacks and hardware designed for real-time robotic systems. It will also support the development and deployment of large language models, including TII’s Arabic language Falcon series.

According to Reuters, TII CEO Najwa Aaraj confirmed the lab will utilise Nvidia’s latest edge GPU, the Thor chip, to advance next-generation robotics, including humanoids, quadrupeds and robotic arms designed for transport and logistics applications.

Teams from both organisations will reportedly co-locate in Abu Dhabi, with additional hires planned to support the expanded scope of work.

In a statement, Aaraj stated the partnership “marks a major step toward building AI-enhanced robotic systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments”.

“By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines,” he added.

The news comes after the UAE signed a multibillion-dollar agreement to build one of the world’s largest AI data centre hubs in Abu Dhabi using advanced Nvidia chips earlier this year. However, the deal remains pending amid reported US security concerns over the Gulf state’s ties with China.

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The company achieved US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) accreditation, a standard involving the protection of medical details established by the country in the 1990s.

XRP Healthcare stated the upgraded status of its app offers assurances personal health data is stored on users’ devices rather than on its servers or the cloud.

Kain Roomes, founder and CEO of the company, said it is now able to offer Africans the “same privacy standards as New York or London”, handing control of health data to the app’s users.

XRP Healthcare’s app offers prescription scanning and the ability to picture visible symptoms and conduct a preliminary assessment using AI. In future, the company hopes to work with hospitals to enable patients to provide access to their medical records.

The company stated the app is tailored for “patchy internet, multiple languages and limited access to doctors”. The HIPAA accreditation could also boost an intention to list on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange later this year which XRP Healthcare expects to accelerate a deployment of its AI systems in Africa.

In May, McKinsey analysts highlighted data protection as a risk to the broader potential benefits of AI-infused digital healthcare in Africa, though noted initiatives including tuberculosis diagnosis are already underway in South Africa and Uganda along with the technology’s potential to consolidate diverse health information.

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Powered by the company’s ALLaM large language model, the Humain Chat app supports real-time web search, Arabic speech input across dialects, bilingual switching between Arabic and English and conversation sharing. It also claims to comply fully with Saudi Arabia’s data protection laws.

Humain Chat is now publicly available on web, iOS, and Android platforms. It is initially available in Saudi Arabia with a regional rollout across the Middle East and global expansion to follow.

The company, launched in May by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), claimed ALLaM 34B is the most advanced large language model developed in the Arab world. It noted Humain Chat will continue to improve with consumer use post launch.

The chatbot was built from the ground up by a diverse team of 120 AI specialists hosted in Saudi Arabia

CEO Tareq Amin, formerly with Rakuten Symphony, hailed the launch as “a historic milestone in our mission to build sovereign AI that is both technically advanced and culturally authentic”.

“We are proving that globally competitive technologies can be rooted in our own language, infrastructure and values, built in Saudi Arabia by Saudi talent,” he stated.

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Molapisi took charge of MTN’s operation in its home market at the start of 2022 and will be replaced by group chief risk officer (CRO) Ferdi Moolman.

The move comes as the operator divides its group CTIO and digital infrastructure roles. Current incumbent of both Mazen Mroue retains responsibility for the latter though takes on a wider remit within that digital infrastructure banner.

Another change at group level will see CFO Tsholofelo Molefe’s responsibilities extended to include M&A activity.

Its chief commercial officer Selorm Adadevoh will have strategy and transformation added, as current chief strategy and transformation officer Chika Ekeji moves to focus on emerging business opportunities.

MTN also unveiled several changes impacting operating units across its footprint due to the changing make-up of its international operations.

Current MTN VP for Southern and East Africa Yolanda Cuba is set to become deputy CEO of MTN South Africa.

VP Middle East and North Africa Ismail Jaroudi moves to VP of special projects alongside being CEO of MTN Dubai, while SVP markets Ebenezer Asante takes on the job of VP of Ghana, Southern and East Africa.

MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola will have VP Francophone Africa added to his job spec.

All executive team changes are effective 1 November 2025.

Ambition beyond 2025
MTN explained the slew of changes were to “strengthen strategy execution and delivery” of priorities moving forward, defined by its board in a recent review of its ongoing Ambition 2025 strategy.

The company noted following the assessment and “evolving geopolitical, macroeconomic and technology landscapes” the broad objectives in its current plan were still relevant but outlined an aim to “streamline” its focus going beyond 2025.

Its upcoming drive revolves around three primary platforms of connectivity, financial technology and digital infrastructure.

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Bloomberg reported Saudia Airlines is finalising a deal with Starlink to employ its connectivity offering across a fleet of more than 140 aircraft, giving Musk a big foothold in the Gulf region.

If a deal is finalised, Starlink would emerge as a rival to Neo Space Group, which is backed by the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund and is in the process of establishing its own satellite-based in-flight play.

It would also step up competition with established satellite operators including Viasat and Inmarsat which have been targeting the segment.

Talks with Saudia Airlines adds to other advanced discussions between Starlink and airlines including Emirates and Gulf Air, along with an existing Qatar Airways deal to offer Wi-Fi on select aircraft.

SpaceX set up a dedicated division within Starlink to oversee its entry to the in-flight connectivity segment in 2022. At the time, it charged $12,500 to $25,000 a month for the service, with a one-time hardware fee of $150,000.

Bloomberg reported the upfront hardware charge now ranges from between $300,000 to $500,000, in addition to a monthly fee for every seat.

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The operator is an Elite and Founding partner of the EWC, roles involving a connectivity commitment at venues hosting the event.

stc deployed more than 1,295 antennas to run the 4G and 5G connectivity, 576 of which were installed within key venues.

The operator stated it also employed indoor building solutions (IBS) to bolster coverage and ensure stable internet connections with high data rates.

It expanded 5G bandwidth to 285MHz in areas with the highest density of users and also employed the mobile networks to deliver connectivity for broadcasters engaging in live coverage.

stc stated the systems connected more than 3 million users to-date in the EWC contest, which began on 7 July and runs until 24 August.

It noted the set-up highlights its commitment to “establishing Saudi Arabia as a global hub for esports”, enhancing the nation’s “readiness to host the world’s largest technology and sports events”.

Training
stc’s commitment was separately highlighted by a partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation offering the operator’s staff opportunities to work on project-based assignments within the sector.

Employees are being offered opportunities to develop relevant technical skills along with mentoring programmes to advance stc’s goals to establish Saudi Arabia as a frontrunning digital nation.

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The agreement will see the company’s dedicated defence division, Gilat Defense, deploy advanced satellite communication platforms designed for use in harsh and demanding military environments. The rollout is planned over the next 12 months.

The deal comes after the company launched its defence division in early 2025, consolidating technologies from Gilat and its subsidiaries – including amplifier specialist Wavestream, secure communications provider DataPath, and aviation connectivity unit Stellar Blu – under a unified offering aimed at delivering connectivity for military operations.

Gilad Landsberg, president of Gilat Defense, stated the contract demonstrates the company’s focused strategy in Israel’s defence sector. “It also highlights the strength of our unified defence offering, bringing together Gilat, Gilat Wavestream, and Gilat DataPath into one cohesive team that delivers a level of capability and innovation far beyond the individual parts.” he added.

The latest deal builds on recent momentum for Gilat in the defence sector, as it secured deals with the US Army and NATO-affiliated satellite operators earlier this month. The company stated that its expanding defence portfolio comes as demand for resilient multi-orbit satellite connectivity surges across the globe.

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