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ICT Sector Research Highlights

The Report: Bahrain 2024

ICT Sector Analysis

Bahrain’s expanding ICT sector highlights the country’s commitment to economic diversification and innovation, positioning it as a globally competitive economy. With a young, tech-savvy population...

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024

ICT & AI Sector Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector, the largest in the MENA region, is valued at $44bn and contributes 4% to GDP. The sector’s growth is driven by digital transformation across government and industries...

The Report: Indonesia 2024

Digital Economy Sector Analysis

Digital technologies play a crucial role in Indonesia’s burgeoning economy, driven by a competitive telecommunications sector and rapid growth in financial technology and e-commerce.

Report: Oman’s digital economy and its transformative potential

Oman’s digital transformation is revolutionising its economy and society. With the National Programme for Digital Economy driving progress, the country is bolstering its telecommunications...

ICT Sector Analyses

Overview

Bahraini government initiatives to enhance ICT sector competitiveness

In addition to driving economic diversification and innovation, Bahrain’s expanding ICT sector is indicative of the country’s commitment to making its economy more competitive globally. With a young, tech-savvy population, and a government dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure and upskilling local talent, Bahrain has become an attractive location for technology start-ups, drawing in many international ICT-focused companies...


Interview

Technological shift: Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, CEO, Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA)

On how digitalisation is changing public services


Overview

How government policies are driving Saudi Arabia's ICT agenda

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector is the largest in the MENA region, with a total value of SR166bn ($44bn) and contributing approximately 4% to the Kingdom’s GDP. Growth is propelled by the widespread digital transformation taking place across government, industry and society. Moreover, the Kingdom is striving to position itself as a regional centre for ICT and draw investors by strengthening data protection regulations, enabling infrastructure cluster development, nurturing domestic skills and attracting international talent while continuing...


Interview

Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary-General, Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO)

On realising digital inclusion through cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurship


Analysis

How AI can augment economic growth in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia identified the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) early on, recognising its potential to drive economic diversification, enhance efficiency across sectors and position the Kingdom as a global leader in cutting-edge technology. In 2020 under the directive of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the government introduced a comprehensive national strategy for data and AI, signalling a high-level commitment to harnessing these advanced technologies for national growth...


Interview

Yaser Al Onaizan, CEO, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence

On creating a supportive ecosystem for innovation


Focus Report: Understanding the impact of data centres on Africa's digital economy

Africa’s data centre (DC) market is primed for substantial growth, with a projected 50% capacity increase by 2026. Fuelled by a burgeoning digital economy and rising internet penetration, the continent...

How ICT solutions are fuelling change in Saudi Arabia

Omer Abdullah Al Nomany, CEO, solutions by stc

In this Global Platform video, Omer Abdullah Al Nomany, CEO of solutions by stc, discusses business-to-business opportunities, Saudiisation and female participation in the sector.

ICT in Emerging Markets

Economic View

Ali Boumediene, CEO, Bomare

On boosting Algeria’s potential to export technology to new markets


Economic News

Gulf countries explore e-sports as part of diversification plans

As Gulf countries implement plans to diversify their economies and create jobs, they are increasingly investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as electronic sports (e-sports). In February the gaming unit of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Savvy Games Group, purchased a $265m stake in China’s Tencent Holdings-backed e-sports company VSPO, becoming its largest equity holder. Savvy Games Group also increased its share of Japanese gaming giant Nintendo...


Economic News

The GCC’s latest efforts to bolster cybersecurity

With global geopolitical instability elevating the threat of cyberattacks against businesses and government agencies, the six countries of the GCC are rapidly building more robust and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to respond to the evolving nature of cyberthreats. In a January 2023 survey of 117 global leaders from 32 countries and 22 industries, 91% of respondents believed that a far-reaching, catastrophic cyber-event was at least somewhat likely in the next two years, while 43% believed that a cyberattack...


Economic News

The competitive outlook for artificial intelligence in MENA

As part of ongoing efforts to diversify their economies and build a platform for sustainable future growth, MENA nations are increasingly turning towards artificial intelligence (AI). A slew of recent investment and initiatives – primarily in academia and the government, but also in the private sector – has reinvigorated interest from industry leaders around the globe in the potential for AI to strengthen the efficiency and sustainability of MENA economies...


Economic News

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine elevates cybersecurity concerns for emerging markets

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused disruptions across the global economy, from food to energy, but it has also prompted an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks, exacerbating similar impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a recent poll of 800 chief audit executives conducted by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought the war had elevated cybersecurity and data-security risks...


Global Platform

Leveraging technology and talent in Saudi Arabia

In this Global Platform video, Essam Alshiha, CEO of Saudi Business Machines, emphasises the importance of the cloud and other innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things to remain competitive. Saudi Arabia's large youth population can help keep tech at the forefront of business operations and leverage the power of these tools.


Vidcast

ESG in Saudi Arabia's digital economy

As Saudi Arabia pursues a path of national digital transformation, stakeholders must take care to ensure the benefits of the digital economy are shared by the whole of society. In this latest vidcast in the OBG Talks series, Maha Alnuhait, stc's General Manager of Sustainability, discusses how the pandemic served to raise awareness of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues among businesses in Saudi Arabia, and expands on the role of digital technology in advancing social development in...


Economic News

Emerging Market Trends 2021: Digital Transformation

The onset of the pandemic in 2020 gave rise to global acceleration in the uptake of digital platforms and services. This surge was consolidated in 2021, as it became clear – in emerging and developed economies alike – that digital is the new normal. While in some ways 2020 was reactive, with governments and businesses scrambling to implement digital approaches, 2021 was proactive, as those approaches were streamlined and synthesised...