tl;dr
The Port of Fujairah in the UAE has signed a five-year partnership with UK tech company Endava to digitally transform port operations using blockchain technology and smart contracts for improved transparency, security, and efficiency. The project includes developing a Port Community System called Ma...
The Port of Fujairah in the UAE has partnered with UK technology firm Endava for a five-year digital transformation project aimed at enhancing port operations using blockchain and smart contracts. This collaboration will develop a Port Community System, MarHub, featuring cloud-native architecture to improve transparency, security, and workflow efficiency, with a phased rollout beginning in the last quarter of the year. By project completion, the port expects optimized vessel call management, enhanced gate pass security, and real-time analytics, all adhering to ISO 27001 security standards.
Meanwhile, the UAE continues to lead the Middle East in digital innovation, pioneering developments in AI tailored to Arabic culture, digital assets adoption, including moves toward central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins, as well as blockchain-based digital IDs and Web3 educational programs.
In Vietnam, the state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and the private conglomerate Vingroup have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate advanced technologies like 5G, IoT, AI, and blockchain across Vingroup’s sectors such as real estate, healthcare, automobiles, and education. This partnership aims to boost Vietnam’s digital economy and sustainability efforts, including the deployment of nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure and collaborative R&D initiatives.
On the cryptocurrency front, the 2024 Bitcoin halving has led to a significant reduction in mining profitability, forcing miners worldwide to adopt cost-cutting strategies to remain viable in a tighter margin environment.
In Africa, Ethiopia is emphasizing the development of domestic AI capabilities, while South Africa is revising telecom ownership regulations to require at least 30% black ownership and facilitating the deployment of Starlink satellite internet, enhancing connectivity and digital infrastructure across the region.