Licence or Product Purchase Required

You have reached the limit of premium articles you can view for free. 

Get expert, on-the-ground insights into the latest business and economic trends in more than 30 high-growth global markets. Produced by a dedicated team of in-country analysts, our research provides the in-depth business intelligence you need to evaluate, enter and excel in these exciting markets.

View licence options

Suitable for

  • Executives and entrepreneurs
  • Bankers and hedge fund managers
  • Journalists and communications professionals
  • Consultants and advisors of all kinds
  • Academics and students
  • Government and policy-research delegations
  • Diplomats and expatriates

This article also features in ICT Search Page. Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

ICT Sector Research Highlights

The Report: Kuwait 2025
OBG
plus

ICT sector analysis

Kuwait’s ICT and telecommunications landscape is undergoing a transformative period under New Kuwait 2035. Policy actions — the phasing out of 3G networks, new data protection rules and the rollout...

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2025
OBG
plus

ICT & AI Sector Analysis

The ICT and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors have emerged as central pillars of the Kingdom’s economic transformation agenda, reflecting the growing strategic importance of digital infrastructure, advanced...

Saudi Arabia’s digital payments sector drives Vision 2030 goals

In this Market Profile video, we explore how Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving financial technology (fintech) sector, anchored by Vision 2030, is accelerating the Kingdom's digital transformation...

Report: How Oman’s strategic investment fosters economic diversification and innovation

With Oman Vision 2040 guiding long-term economic transformation, strategic investment is playing a key role in reducing reliance on oil revenue and fostering sustainable growth...

Special Reports on the ICT Sector
Special Report

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...
Special Report

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...
ESG Report

ESG and Indonesia: Which factors will drive growth?

Indonesia’s commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is clear from its 2022 G20 Presidency focus on sustainability and environmental leadership, with topics likely to include digitalisation...

Report: Oman’s digital economy and its transformative potential
Focus Report: Understanding the impact of data centres on Africa's digital economy
ESG and Indonesia: Which factors will drive growth?
 

The Report: Qatar 2025
OBG
plus

ICT & Innovation Sector Analysis

Qatar’s leadership aims to create a knowledge-based economy supported by robust telecommunications infrastructure, a large and diverse community of scientists and a strong incubation programme...

ICT Sector Analyses

Overview

New initiatives position Kuwait as a regional telecom centre
OBG
plus

Kuwait’s ICT and telecommunications landscape is undergoing a transformative period as the country accelerates toward the digital ambitions laid out in New Kuwait 2035. Oversight of the sector is led by the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), which was established in 2014. Together with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), CITRA is responsible for driving large-scale digital initiatives including e-government services, cloud infrastructure and data privacy regulation...

Interview

Omar Al Omar, Minister of State for Communication Affairs
OBG
plus

On accelerating access to global-grade digital cloud infrastructure

Interview

Alaeddine Karim, Country General Manager, Microsoft Kuwait
OBG
plus

On the increased importance of cybersecurity and how new technologies are set to enhance urban services

Analysis

GCC strengthens response to emerging cyberthreats
OBG
plus

With global geopolitical instability elevating the threat of cyberattacks against businesses and government agencies, the GCC is developing more robust and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to respond to the evolving nature of such threats. Since experiencing their first major cyberattacks in the early 2010s, the six members of the GCC have looked at ways to bolster their cybersecurity by increasing their resilience and upgrading capacity. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 – which saw an increase...

Interview

Abdulaziz Al Babtain, CEO, Ooredoo Kuwait
OBG
plus

On utilising technology advancements to support economic diversification

Report: Strategic investment driving green energy, digital innovation and sustainable growth in Oman

Oman is embarking on a transformative journey under Vision 2040, combining innovation and sustainability to redefine its economic landscape. This report showcases...

ICT in Emerging Markets

Economic Update

Digital trade corridors are emerging as a strategic hedge against physical supply chain disruption
OBG
plus

The disruption to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reinforces a strategic argument that has been gaining traction among policymakers in emerging markets: that digital trade infrastructure offers a form of connectivity that is less exposed to physical chokepoints than conventional supply chains. Whereas goods move through ports and straits, data and payments move through digital infrastructure such as fibre optic cables. The two are not equivalent, as this type of infrastructure cannot replace physical commodity...

Economic View

Murid Atassi, CEO, Syriatel

On unlocking telecoms potential through infrastructure upgrades and strategic investment

Economic View

Abdul Salam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology

On fibre transit and market reopening

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
OBG
plus

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
OBG
plus

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
OBG
plus

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
OBG
plus

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...

Featured Countries in