HONOR, a global AI device ecosystem company, has announced a strategic collaboration with OWN eSIM to bring seamless digital connectivity solutions to smartphone users across the GCC. Through this partnership, the OWN eSIM application will be preinstalled on selected HONOR smartphone models using Google PAI, enabling customers to access and activate global connectivity services directly from their devices with greater ease and flexibility.

By integrating OWN eSIM’s digital connectivity platform within HONOR devices, users will be able to activate international data services instantly, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and enabling a smoother travel and connectivity experience.

Enabling a Smarter and More Connected Mobile Experience

With digital lifestyles evolving, consumers increasingly expect their devices to offer seamless access to services that enhance everyday convenience. The partnership between HONOR and OWN eSIM responds to this demand by embedding advanced connectivity capabilities directly into the smartphone ecosystem. This integration allows HONOR users across the GCC to manage connectivity more easily, particularly when travelling or using multiple networks.

The initiative strengthens HONOR’s commitment to delivering innovation beyond hardware, positioning its devices as intelligent platforms for modern digital lifestyles. Through the integration of ready-to-use connectivity solutions. The preinstallation of the OWN eSIM application on HONOR devices will significantly enhance accessibility, adoption and visibility for the platform, allowing OWN eSIM to reach a wider audience of smartphone users across the GCC.

Debo Zhang, General Manager – HONOR GCC said, “Connectivity today must be as dynamic as the lives we lead. Our collaboration with OWN eSIM reflects HONOR’s commitment to delivering smarter, more integrated digital experiences for our users. Smartphones today are central to how people work, create, and stay entertained. By bringing eSIM functionality directly into our devices, we are enabling customers to stay connected more easily and confidently wherever their journeys take them.”

Expanding the Future of Digital Connectivity in the GCC

For OWN eSIM, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding its presence across the GCC and strengthening its position within the rapidly growing eSIM ecosystem. With its application integrated directly into HONOR devices, OWN eSIM will be able to reach a broader base of consumers.

Martijn Van Der Ven, Founder and CEO of OWN eSIM, said, “We are pleased to partner with HONOR to bring our connectivity platform closer to users across the GCC. This collaboration represents a shared ambition to remove friction from the way people connect when they travel or move across borders. By embedding OWN eSIM directly into HONOR smartphones, we are delivering a seamless, future-ready connectivity experience designed for today’s digital-first consumers.”

Beyond the technical integration, the partnership will be supported by coordinated marketing and communication initiatives aimed at raising awareness and encouraging adoption across the region. Both companies will work together on campaigns that highlight the benefits of integrated eSIM technology.

Driving the Next Generation of Digital Connectivity

As mobile connectivity shifts toward more flexible, digital-first solutions, the collaboration between HONOR and OWN eSIM reflects a broader industry move toward embedded connectivity services that simplify the user experience. Combining HONOR’s device innovation with OWN eSIM’s connectivity expertise, the partnership aims to give users greater freedom and convenience to stay connected wherever they are.

Through this collaboration, HONOR and OWN eSIM are enhancing the smartphone experience while contributing to smarter connectivity across the GCC.

ASUS today announced its participation at the first edition of GITEX Kenya, taking place in Nairobi from May 19-21, 2026. With its theme ‘In Search of Incredible,” ASUS will showcase its critically acclaimed portfolio of AI PCs designed to support the country’s national digital economy agenda.

“We’re excited to be a part of the inaugural edition of GITEX Kenya. The country plays an important role in ASUS’s commercial long-term vision for the African market,” said Tolga Özdil, Regional Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS. “As the region undergoes a significant shift with industry trends like AI, cloud and sustainability, GITEX Kenya gives us the platform to show our latest innovations to customers in the enterprise, SMB and government sectors.”

“ASUS’s line of PCs integrates AI support at the hardware level, allowing professionals to take advantage of AI tools without the need to connect online. In addition to that, our devices demonstrate the highest level of security fit for organizations where data protection is a must.”

ASUS will showcase its strong lineup of commercial devices that includes the ExpertBook series and workstation PCs at the exhibition. Visitors will get a chance to try out the recently released ExpertBook Ultra (B9406), the company’s flagship device that weighs less than a kilogram and measures 10.9 mm thin. Designed for next-generation professionals, the B9406 features up to 50 TOPS NPU, which enables it to perform AI tasks on-device without affecting the performance or battery life. All of this is packed in a lightweight device that also features robust durability and enterprise-grade security. Other devices in the ExpertBook series, the B5405, P5405, as well as the P440 All-in-One and the P500 Expert Centre Mini Tower, will be on the stand.

ASUS will also highlight its AI-driven solutions that enhance productivity, such as AI ExpertMeet, a powerful AI-powered collaboration tool that helps simplify meetings with real-time transcriptions and summaries.

Building on national initiatives such as the Kenya AI Strategy 2025-2030, which positions the region as a hub for AI research, ASUS will support its ambitions with innovative AI-ready solutions. The company has designed its entire commercial portfolio focusing on key factors that help drive digital transformation priorities, such as AI-first design, cloud-ready devices and sustainability. Attendees can visit ASUS’s booth at Hall 2, Stand B45, to experience their latest products.

At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, industries, and education systems, the UAE is accelerating its ambition to become a global AI hub. Against this backdrop, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai Campus has unveiled NEXORA, a next-generation Artificial Intelligence lab designed to equip students with applied, real-world AI capabilities.

The launch comes as the UAE’s AI market is valued at over USD 3.47 billion and is projected to grow at nearly 44% annually through 2030, with AI expected to contribute up to 14% of the country’s GDP. At the same time, the country is advancing its talent agenda, with artificial intelligence being introduced into school curricula from the 2025–2026 academic year, alongside increasing employer demand for AI and data-driven skills. NEXORA has been developed as an integrated AI environment where students move from ideation to development and deployment within a single platform. Structured across dedicated zones for ideation, learning, development, and experience, the lab enables users to conceptualize solutions, build prototypes, test applications, and demonstrate outcomes in real-world scenarios.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE Dubai, said: “The conversation around artificial intelligence has moved from awareness to application. The real differentiator today is not access to tools, but the ability to apply them in meaningful, domain-specific contexts. With NEXORA, we are creating an environment where students are not just exposed to AI concepts, but are expected to build, test, and deploy solutions that reflect real industry challenges. This is essential to developing talent that is relevant from day one.”
A key highlight of the launch was the demonstration of AI applications developed entirely by students, showcasing practical use cases across industries. These included interactive virtual avatars for visitor engagement, real-time facial recognition systems operating on edge devices to ensure data privacy, and intelligent retail inventory solutions designed to improve on-shelf availability and operational efficiency. Additional innovations such as sentiment analysis kiosks, voice-based biometric systems, and interactive learning platforms further demonstrated how AI can be applied across customer experience, retail, and enterprise environments.

The lab is supported by advanced infrastructure, including high-performance computing systems for large-scale model development, edge AI platforms for real-time intelligence, and cloud-integrated environments for scalable experimentation. Industry-standard frameworks and tools are embedded across the ecosystem, ensuring alignment with enterprise technology environments. Looking ahead, MAHE Dubai also plans to introduce a dedicated quantum computing terminal, enabling exploration of next-generation computing and the convergence of AI and quantum technologies.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Balamurugan Balusamy, Dean and Professor at the School of Engineering and IT, MAHE Dubai, added: “AI cannot be taught effectively in isolation from its application. What differentiates NEXORA is the focus on building systems. Students are working with real data, real constraints, and real use cases, which fundamentally changes how they understand and apply AI. This shift from theoretical learning to applied capability is what will define the next generation of technology professionals.” Designed as a cross-disciplinary initiative, NEXORA extends beyond engineering to include management, health sciences, media, and other academic domains, reflecting the growing role of AI as a foundational capability across sectors. The lab is also expected to drive research, industry collaboration, and skill development through faculty-led projects, partnerships, and specialised training programmes.
With the launch of NEXORA, MAHE Dubai strengthens its contribution to the UAE’s innovation ecosystem, supporting the development of talent equipped to navigate and shape an AI-driven future. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how industries operate and compete, initiatives like NEXORA serve as critical platforms for developing the talent, research, and real-world capabilities needed to power the next phase of growth.