Page 80 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Morocco

Morocco is accelerating its digital transition by integrating in the expanding digital economy. Through this collaboration,
advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to Ericsson’s global educational programs will help entrepreneurs
modernize public services, boost socioeconomic development, and small business owners acquire essential 21st-century skills,
and enhance global competitiveness. To achieve these ambitious contributing to sustainable job creation and fostering innovation
goals, the North African nation has forged partnerships with across various sectors in Morocco. In addition, Morocco has
telecom giants Ericsson and Nokia during GITEX Africa 2025 in teamed up with Nokia to further advance its digital agenda. The
Marrakesh (April 14-16). The agreement with Ericsson focuses multinational company will help improve the country’s network
on strengthening digital education and supporting small business connectivity, share its technical expertise, expand high-speed
growth in Morocco, aligning with the country’s “Digital Agenda internet access, and build a robust digital ecosystem. These
2030.” This initiative aims to promote innovation, upskilling, and efforts are particularly crucial as Morocco prepares to host major
inclusive digital transformation, providing Moroccan entrepreneurs international sporting events in the near future, including those
and small businesses with the necessary digital skills to thrive planned for 2030. (April 18, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

Nepal

Nepal’s digital payment transactions have surged significantly in 2021 to 2.34 million in January 2024. While the digital payment
recent years, with a 43.5% increase in transaction volume over landscape is rapidly evolving, challenges such as infrastructure
the past three fiscal years. A report from Nepal Rastra Bank gaps in rural areas, mobile connectivity issues, and rising online
highlighted the role of QR code-based payments, which saw a scams persist. However, the adoption of digital lending, mobile
230% increase in transaction volume and a 210% growth in value banking, and cross-border digital payments is steadily growing,
from FY2021–2022 to FY2023–2024. The rise in digital payments contributing to the overall shift from cash to digital payment
is attributed to the growing accessibility of digital platforms, with methods. Notably, mobile banking usage jumped from 114 million
QR code payments becoming a preferred method due to their users in mid-2020 to 265 million by January 2024, and QR code
convenience and real-time processing. As a result, the number of payments have continued to grow, with transactions in Nepal now
merchants accepting QR payments has risen dramatically, with expanding internationally through cross-border QR payments with
QR codes issued to merchants increasing from 282,000 in July India and China. (April 11, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

Oman

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Oman decision affects licensees and companies involved in laying
has issued Decision No. 1111, introducing a “Bylaw on Regulating international telecommunications cables, aiming to attract
International Telecommunications Cables” to enhance the country’s investment and develop necessary regulations for the sector. It
telecom infrastructure and regulatory framework. The new bylaw also focuses on enhancing competitiveness by improving service
aims to establish a secure and accessible telecom environment quality, diversifying options, and ensuring competitive pricing.
in Oman while ensuring the regulatory system keeps up with rapid These efforts are expected to foster better collaboration between
advancements in the sector. This move aligns with Oman’s vision government agencies and stakeholders.
of fostering a competitive, investment-friendly environment. The (May 5, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com
bylaw mandates the establishment of a regulatory framework
for marine communication cables in economic zones and straits, The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Oman
without the need for anchoring. It covers all activities related to is set to introduce new regulatory measures aimed at improving
the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of international transparency and consumer rights. Among the key developments
telecommunications cables within Omani lands, waters, Special is a new regulation ensuring accurate billing systems, addressing
Economic Zones, and straits. Additionally, the bylaw centralizes consumer concerns about fair charges. Additionally, the TRA is
approval processes, streamlining procedures for efficiency. This launching the “Commercial Caller ID” project, which will require

80 MAY 2025