Imagine a farmer boosting crop yields using 5G-enabled weather insights, a student in rural villages accessing global education through digital platforms, or a logistics firm slashing delivery times with IoT-powered solutions. These are not visions—they are realities powered by Ericsson’s cutting-edge technology and long-standing partnerships with our customers the communication service providers across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). As we approach 2025, the MEA region is not just embracing the digital revolution but actively leading its evolution.

With 310 million 5G connections expected by 2029 and over 1.2 billion mobile subscriptions, MEA is poised for transformative growth. At Ericsson, we are proud to be at the forefront, empowering communities, supporting telecom operators, and driving enterprise innovation to create a connected, inclusive, and sustainable future. In a rapidly digitalizing world, enterprises across MEA are leveraging Ericsson’s technologies to innovate and thrive.

As a few examples, in Saudi Arabia, Ericsson’s partnerships are building the next generation of networks, supporting digital transformation initiatives in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aspirations. In 2024, we partnered with leading telecom operators in the multiple countries in the region to implement 5G Advanced time-critical communication solutions, enhancing user experience and driving the adoption of next-generation applications like cloud gaming and extended reality.

Our technology is powering logistics solutions and reducing delivery times by 30%, while private 5G networks are enabling manufacturers to automate operations and adopt Industry 4.0 practices. Ericsson’s Private 5G networks in South Africa are driving efficiency and safety in the mining sector by automating operations and enabling remote monitoring. These innovations are helping enterprises across the region unlock efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and contribute to national economic growth.

Ericsson’s technologies are enabling telecom operators to lead in connectivity, unlock new revenue streams, and deliver superior services. In the GCC Countries and by 2030, 93% of mobile subscriptions in GCC nations are expected to be 5G. Ericsson’s dual-band radios and AI-driven network solutions are helping operators deliver faster speeds, seamless coverage, and lower latency.

Last year, Ericsson has modernized core networks in Egypt, enabling operators to launch the country’s first 5G standalone services and introducing innovative consumer and enterprise applications. While in Nigeria, the AI-driven analytics have reduced network outages by 25%, improving service reliability and customer satisfaction for millions.By partnering with telecom operators around efficient, scalable, and sustainable solutions, Ericsson’s technology secure sustainable success in a competitive market while meeting the rising demand for advanced connectivity.

Ericsson’s impact is evident across MEA. As one example, in Qatar, Ericsson-powered 5G stadiums have redefined fan experiences, showcasing immersive entertainment and operational efficiency during global sports events. While in Kenya, our Fixed Wireless Access solutions have brought high-speed internet to remote villages, enabling education, telemedicine, and small business growth. By tailoring solutions to local needs, Ericsson is fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development across the region.

5G, AI and the Cloud are the building blocks of MEA’s digital future, and Ericsson is leading the charge in their deployment. In Nigeria, our AI-powered network optimization ensures reliable connectivity, enhancing user experiences and enabling businesses to operate seamlessly.

Technology is not only enabling a prosperous future but a sustainable one as well. Sustainability is at the heart of Ericsson’s innovations, helping reduce environmental impact while expanding connectivity. In Morocco, Ericsson’s initiatives in smart city infrastructure and telecom sustainability, as part of their vision for 5G and smart cities in the Middle East and Africa. And in the GCC Region, Ericsson’s energy-efficient 5G networks are reducing power consumption by up to 30%, supporting national climate goals.

But what would it mean for every enterprise in MEA to harness the full potential of connectivity? How can advanced and emerging nations collaborate to ensure digital inclusion for all?

The answers lie in collective action. By 2030, mobile broadband will account for 70% of subscriptions, and 5G will revolutionize sectors such as education, healthcare, and finance. Ericsson is committed to being a driving force behind this transformation.

At Ericsson, we see technology as a bridge to opportunity, inclusion, and progress. Together with our customers and industry partners, we are shaping a future where connectivity empowers nations, uplifts communities, and drives sustainable development. Through groundbreaking innovations, impactful partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability, Ericsson is unlocking the potential of the Middle East and Africa, to lead in a connected world.

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The eight Challenge Category winners will join Hack for Earth’s Build for Earth customized acceleration program that is based on science and designed to make the solutions a reality in 6 months. As co-organizer, Ericsson will continue to support the winners while they go through Build for Earth with bespoke knowledge-sharing sessions.

Ann Molin, Secretary General and CEO, Hack for Earth, says: “There is no other future than a sustainable future. The winners of Hack for Earth at COP28 showcases with all necessary clarity that citizens around the world are well aware of this, and they are stepping up the game on climate action. I am eagerly looking forward to see the winning solutions turn into real tools fighting climate change in Build for Earth acceleration program, starting January in 2024.”

Fida Kibbi, Vice President and Head of Marketing, Communications and Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: “Congratulations to the exceptional minds and passionate teams who rose to the challenge of Hack for Earth at COP28. In this dynamic world of today that continues to combat rising environmental concerns, innovation allows businesses and individual to make a transformative change towards a sustainable future. The winning teams, having showcased their groundbreaking solutions, now embark on the six-month Build for Earth acceleration program. Ericsson remains committed to fostering real-world solutions for a sustainable future and today, we look forward to nurturing and fast-tracking these groundbreaking solutions into impactful realities.”

The 8 Challenge Category winners are:

Energy Challenge winner & Hack for Earth Award 2023: Renewable Energy Placement Optimizer
The solution is a tool that can tell the user the optimal location to put a renewable energy source. For instance, the user might give it a boundary of land where the energy source may be placed. The tool then utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to pinpoint the places where solar panels or wind turbines would produce the most energy. The end users would range from homeowners wanting to be off-grid, to utility companies looking to build a new wind or solar farm, to government agencies looking for the best places to zone into residential areas that can be energy-self-sufficient like for the homeowner wanting to be off-grid.

Water Challenge Winner: Agri-Azola
Agri Azola for Food Feed stands at the forefront of sustainable animal feed production, offering a tangible solution to Egypt’s water scarcity challenges. The advocacy for Azolla aligns with the urgent need for water-efficient, environmentally responsible, and climate-resilient agricultural practices, ensuring a more secure future for Egypt’s agriculture sector amidst prevailing water scarcity concerns.

Partnership Challenge Winner: Climate Action Collaboration System (CACS)
Lack of awareness hinders community engagement in ongoing projects; individuals are unaware and unable to contribute effectively especially as students and the general public. Introducing a collaborative website connecting stakeholders, project managers, and individuals. Visitors can fund, join, create, search projects, view impact and progress and actively participate in discussions and project tasks – fostering a community-driven approach to project awareness and contribution. Students can also visit the website for research and study where they can search projects and view their impacts. This is not just collaborative but also educational.

Environment Challenge Winner: p-VITA
Introducing a revolutionary solution for a healthier planet and healthier individuals. The p-VITA solution extracts beta carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A, from the waste of palm trees that is usually burned or thrown into the Nile. By recycling this waste, the solution contributes to reducing waste and pollution in the environment and produces a high-quality and affordable source of beta carotene for various industries.

Food Challenge Winner: Greenance
Preventing farm yield losses by providing climate intelligence to unlock access to proactive intervention funds.

Transport Challenge winner: Roam and Nest: Your Sustainable Travel Companion
Innovating Sustainable Transportation with Roam and Nest. Creating sustainable transportation systems that reduce emissions, improve connectivity, and contribute to sustainable cities and communities.

Education Challenge winner: EcoShop – Sustainable Grocery Shopping Mobile Application
The solution presents a mobile application (app) ‘EcoShop’ to tackle the issue of increased carbon emissions. The app will raise awareness and help people to be more mindful of the environment by keeping track of the carbon footprint produced while shopping and suggests environmentally friendly alternatives.

Cities Challenge winner: EcoTabax Project
EcoTabax is a green project with the purpose of recycling plastic waste into eco-friendly bricks made from plastic granules and sand.

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KPMG is bringing together a broad collective, with Microsoft, leveraging infrastructure and gaming platform, Ericsson for their 5G technology and network; and Metakey as the technical partner to develop 3D objects. The objective of the CoE is to expedite Metaverse and Digital Twin application in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

“We have seen an immense commitment from the government to invest in Metaverse and to explore the public utility of the technology. With the launch of the Centre of Excellence, we are proud to bring together a team of experts and organizations to really drive these initiatives forward,” commented Maz Hussain, Head of Digital Lighthouse at KPMG in Saudi Arabia.

“A digital-first principle is to be applied across all the services to be delivered from this CoE, which means that the CoE will provide an incubation function to several technology capabilities that will be required to deliver a differentiated offering to the market,” he added. “Metaverse will help make Saudi firms more competitive and open up global opportunities.”

Digital Twin is the digital counterpart of real-world physical product, system or process in, for example Metaverse, and can be used for practical purposes like simulation, monitoring or educational purposes. Part of the CoE’s objectives to help organizations build Digital Twin objects, processes, and assets.
Saudi Arabia has made an immense commitment to investing in the Metaverse and gigacities, creating vast opportunities within the government, public and private sectors across various industries.

Zainab Alamin, Vice President of Digital Transformation & Sustainability, Microsoft Arabia commented “We are proud to join this initiative and take a leading role drive innovation and bring value to Saudi Arabia and the region through the application of Metaverse technologies which supports Vision 2030 by making Saudi a digital hub and Riyadh the capital of innovation and AI”.

According to KPMG, Metaverse will position Saudi Arabia on a global stage, creating safe, secure environments to facilitate Saudi business and society within national policies with the CoE being the foundational steppingstone towards the achievement of this overall target.

As part of the CoE, KPMG has allocated a dedicated co-investment fund for Metaverse use-cases in Saudi Arabia to work together with public and private partners on expediting the technology for practical use.

“With the traction we see in the market, we are very optimistic about the future of Metaverse and Web3 technologies in the Kingdom. With our CoE, guided by an advisory board of global ecosystem partners and with a dedicated team of specialists from academia and industry, we will be very focused on use case development in Saudi Arabia,” concluded Hussain.

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Ericsson Customer Acceptance (ECA) provides significant and impactful results to the customer acceptance process. It reduces the time spent on acceptance-related activities per site by up to 42 percent, thereby achieving faster time-to-market with accuracy. ECA also simplifies the process by providing a single interface for submitting and approving acceptance documents and displaying real-time status of every acceptance item submitted to the platform. Combined with other services and software capabilities, ECA also helps reduce CO2 emissions by removing the need for on-site customer visits to complete the acceptance process.

Batelco General Manager Technology Rashed Mohamed says:” Batelco is at the forefront of technological innovation, constantly seeking new ways to attain efficiency and effectiveness. We are proud to be the first telecommunication service provider to deploy the Ericsson Customer Acceptance platform. Within a short period of time, we have witnessed the benefits of deploying it. By simplifying our daily activities and achieving quicker installations and project completions, we can bring the latest technologies to our customers more efficiently.. We commend Ericsson for constantly offering new technological solutions that benefit the operations of their customers.”

Apart from enabling site quality assurance and improving the acceptance flow, blockchain secures the integrity of acceptance documentation and enables transparency and traceability between the parties involved.

Nicolas Blixell, Vice President, and Head of Ericsson GCC at Ericsson, says: “The Ericsson Customer Acceptance solution aims to provide speed, accuracy, sustainability, and efficiency to the operations between Ericsson and our customers. It strengthens trust, adds immutability and security, and provides full traceability end-to-end. Deploying the Ericsson Customer Acceptance solution with Batelco has demonstrated the benefits and efficiencies that can be achieved in a quick, secure, and resourceful manner. We look forward to future implementations of this blockchain-based solution to drive innovation and customer satisfaction.

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The official launch took place on Wednesday 30th of March 2022 at Innovation Park Muscat, under the patronage of HE Dr. Saif bin Abdullah Al Haddabi, Undersecretary for Research and Innovation at the MoHERI, and in the attendance of Dr. Abdullah Al Balushi, President of Ericsson Oman, general managers from the Ministry of Finance and a number of program participants from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).

The program aims to mentor students in developing IoT use cases using the latest 5G and IoT technology as part of the Center of Excellence for Advanced Telecommunications technology and IoT (CoE) established by Oman’s Ministry of Finance in partnership with Ericsson and Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

The students will be mentored by Ericsson’s academic professionals and experts in IoT, teaching them about the basic concepts and use cases of IoT all the way up to the realization, implementation, and testing. A total of 15 students ranging from undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Representing a rich variety of academic disciplines such as Mechatronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Architecture Engineering, Electronic Instrumentation & Control, and Communication & Signal Processing who will be involved in the mentoring program for two to three months. The students will be working on three main IoT use cases related to the nation’s agriculture and water sector. The main learning outcome of the program is to work in teams of multi-disciplinary, deliver a prototype with industry standards, and manage a project using agile development principles.

Ericsson has already equipped the CoE with state-of-the-art 5G Radio DOT technology from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio and a sophisticated IoT platform, which is extremely suitable for educational research and development purposes. To further show Ericsson’s commitment towards the CoE, Ericsson has conducted comprehensive knowledge transfer sessions for 5G Operations & Maintenance and have demonstrated the system capabilities to selected engineers from the technical team of Innovation Park Muscat (IPM).

Dr. Abdullah Al Balushi, President of Ericsson Oman commented: “We believe academia plays a significant role in the technological advancement of a nation by serving as a platform that encourages innovation and creativity. As we map the digital future of Oman through the CoE, we look forward to working alongside the talented students of Sultan Qaboos University and having them develop industry-wide use-cases that propel the realization of Oman’s Vision 2040.”

The Center of Excellence for Advanced Telecommunications technology and IoT (CoE) acts as a research center for developing 5G use cases and IoT use cases as Proof of Concept (PoC) before deployments in commercial networks. It supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups moving towards next-generation network evolution by incubating their ideas and concepts into reality. It is also set to support local academia and improve digital learning for junior and senior high school students through the Ericsson Digital Lab program.

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Based on a shared vision to engage the entrepreneurial community to contribute to Vision 2040, the MoU will see Omantel and Ericsson work together to support digital transformation and innovation in the country by expanding the enterprise market’s capabilities through 5G and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Using the Omantel Innovation Labs as a platform, Ericsson’s regional innovation hub, local, regional, and international experts will provide thought-leadership to start-ups and innovators in Oman. Ericsson and Omantel will also host multiple activities to bring together innovators to develop technology solutions in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Talal Said Al Mamari, Chief Executive Officer of Omantel says: “We are committed to equipping Omani entrepreneurs with the right tools to develop meaningful solutions and are delighted to be partnering with Ericsson to add more value to the local startup ecosystem. We believe that the collaboration with Ericsson will open new doors to technology innovators and entrepreneurs across the Sultanate and will be focusing on several technology areas to drive the value of 5G and innovation in the country and contribute to Oman Vision 2040.”

Abdullah Al-Balushi, Country Manager of Ericsson Oman says: “Our collaboration with Omantel will support in accelerating their digital transformation journey. Supporting Omantel in nurturing innovators and entrepreneurs through our expertise in 5G presents the vast talent in Oman with an opportunity to build on skills to bring to life Oman Vision 2040. We have many activities lined up and are looking forward to working together and bringing innovation to fruition.”

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The “Together Apart” Hackathon aim is to accelerate the journey towards a more connected future and solving global challenges by working with innovators, disruptors, and creative people of the UAE to build technology-based solutions aligned with the UAE Vision 2021. Participants from across the UAE were invited to contribute their innovative solutions, showcasing the power of connectivity and 5G, while taking inspiration from the six broad themes of UAE Vision 2021 – World Class Healthcare, First Rate Education System, Competitive Knowledge and Digital Economy, Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure, Safe Public and Road Safety, and Cohesive Society and Preserved Identity.

The finalists presented their solutions in front of the judging committee which selected six winners. Members of the judging committee consisted of senior representatives from the public and private sector including BecanWellness Solutions, Du, Dubai Future Foundation, Ericsson, Etisalat, Nasdaq and SOMA MATER.

The winning solutions are: Hayaa, RenAIssance, Insights, Organic Chain, Mindspire. The six winning teams will receive support in testing, developing, and scaling their ideas and will also be given the chance to showcase their solutions at the Swedish Pavilion in Expo2020. One team will receive the grand prize to visit Ericsson’s headquarters in Sweden to pitch the team’s solution and interact with the entrepreneurial community.

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Graduates will gain valuable work experience, skills and knowledge that will assist them in advancing their career. They will also have a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies, including, and not limited to, 5G, Internet of Things, Cloud Technology and Data Centres.

Wojciech Bajda, Vice President and Head of Gulf Council Countries at Ericsson Middle East and Africa says: “The newly-launched graduate program in the UAE will enhance the technical and commercial competence and knowledge of the candidates. The program will offer the candidates the opportunities of working hands-on on commercial projects at a strategic and global level. Facing challenges and tapping on the potential of activating their leadership skills, the graduates who join Ericsson will gain insight into our business, and witness first-hand how we make Imagine Possible.”

The graduates will have the chance to work with teams on live projects and attend training courses while being guided by assigned dedicated mentors. In addition, the candidates will experience working in a large global matrix-driven organization in terms of the ways of working, understanding the vision, mission, strategies, corporate culture, and values of the company.

Candidates are recruited from diverse backgrounds, various areas of study and into various areas of Ericsson’s business, including: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Management, Information Systems, Business, Finance/Accounting, and Marketing.

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As part of Ericsson Startup 5G, Etisalat will receive access to a curated list of companies that develop scalable services, devices, and applications over 5G. By bundling and offering innovative apps and digital services, Etisalat can differentiate the customer experience over 5G, ultimately changing the usage behaviour and demand for enhanced mobile broadband connectivity.

The program hosts a variety of innovative companies from across the world and is continuously expanding. Startup 5G helps member startups to evolve their business by connecting them with communications service providers around the world, providing exposure in major technology events, and sharing Ericsson’s technological and strategic expertise. The program also offers the participating startups to connect with the consumer market using ConsumerLab’ s expertise to validate their 5G services and concepts and grow.

The new collaboration further strengthens the partnership between Ericsson and Etisalat, with the companies working together to research and develop new 5G consumer offerings such as augmented and virtual reality, digital education, e-sports, and other immersive media applications.

Khaled Elkhouly, Chief Consumer Officer, Etisalat says: “5G has the capability to enable new experiences and use cases that are critical for the new digital normal and were impossible prior to 5G, be it for consumers or businesses. This will remotely enable opportunities within education, health, factories, ports, and entertainment. Ericsson’s Startup 5G program is a great platform that will amplify the use of these futuristic services, target new opportunities, and implement 5G use cases across verticals. This collaboration will give us the opportunity to introduce new partners and offerings to customers in the UAE as we continue to work to provide unparalleled 5G services.”

Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit Etisalat and Pakistan at Ericsson Middle East and Africa says: “We’re excited to have Etisalat on board for our Startup 5G program. 4G created the foundation for the App Economy that has transformed our societies beyond recognition. 5G is poised to continue and extend this transformation. Our global industry knowledge and expertise positions us to act as matchmakers in the 5G ecosystem, introducing communication service providers to products and services ready to launch on a mass scale. We are using our extensive consumer research to identify the startups with the highest potential for success and are glad to have Etisalat on this journey with us.”

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Ericsson surveyed over 8,400 white collar workers who are early adopters of AR, VR or virtual assistants from 16 countries, representing around 133 million people, about their expectations of the future workspace.

Key findings from the report

Employees want an internet of senses for work
Imagine a fully immersive office experience, where all sensory experiences are digitally interactive. By 2030, the dematerialized office may be a reality. And for those working from home, the full-sense digital home office will also get a boost. In fact, half of respondents want a digital workstation allowing full-sense presence at work from anywhere. Today, companies direct their funds into maintaining physical office space, but in the future, respondents hope this will be geared towards improving their home office environment.

The pandemic has become a digital tipping point
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the mindset of many companies and their employees. After months of working on their computers at home, constantly engaged in video meetings in their sometimes chaotic home environments, nearly 6 in 10 foresee a permanent increase in online meetings. They are also realizing that while connectivity is more important than ever before, digital meetings need to evolve before they become as effective as the real thing. There is simply a need for tools that better support remote interaction.

The sustainable dematerialized office
Dematerialization of the office will be driven by efficiency gains and sales, but the environment is also expected to benefit. With virtual offices for example, there would be no need to commute, or for companies to keep physical office spaces running. As many as 77 percent indicate that an internet of senses for business use would make companies more sustainable.

Virtual interaction with clients and colleagues
How about a team-building trip to Pompeii? What if Vesuvius suddenly erupted and engulfed you in lava, there would be a lot to talk about around the virtual water cooler later. Team building becomes more important when there are fewer physical meetings, but virtual interaction has other benefits for companies too. 50 percent are saying that digital temperature will be used to more immersively engage customers by 2030. Providing immersive full-sense sales environments, such as a virtual shopping mall or warehouse will enable customers to digitally try before they buy.

A taste of the future
Not a fan of the food in the canteen? Respondents think internet of senses technology will also be used inside companies and could help with this. 73 percent of senior managers believe that food in the company canteen can be digitally enhanced to taste like anything by 2030, opening up for optimization of both cost and perceived quality.

Security and privacy are key barriers
Privacy is increasingly set to become a critical challenge filled with paradoxes over the next decade. While many employees see the benefits of enhanced technology there is also a lot of fear. As digital interaction moves beyond sound and vision to incorporate all our senses, and potentially also enables functionality such as thought control of devices, the avenues for fraud, manipulation and identity theft will grow exponentially. While 66 percent think that by 2030, technology will enable them to sense when a colleague is upset, that also means their employer will know when they themselves are upset. The challenge will be in finding a balance that allows for fast adoption of digital technology in the workplace, while also respecting the integrity of employees.

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