ICT Sector Research Highlights
The Report: Oman 2025
ICT Sector Analysis
Oman is actively advancing its ICT and telecommunications sectors as part of its broader goal to become a digital-first economy. This transformation is reshaping the country’s financial landscape...
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...
The Report: Ajman 2025
Digital Economy Sector Analysis
The digital economy in Ajman is rapidly evolving, driven by advancement in technology and strategic initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and connectivity. The emirate benefits from high mobile...
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...
ICT Sector Analyses
OverviewEconomic diversification boosts Oman's cybersecurity
Oman’s strategic emphasis on ICT and telecommunications underpins its vision of becoming a digital-first economy. This focus is transforming the sultanate’s financial landscape while positioning it as a leader in regional and global digital transformation. As of September 2024, 98% of households in Oman had internet access, solidifying its status as a centre for connectivity, innovation and cybersecurity...
Interview
Talal Al Mamari, CEO, Omantel
On the steps businesses are taking to adjust to the changing digital environment
Interview
Bassam Al Ibrahim, CEO, Ooredoo Oman
On balancing the demand for innovation and cybersecurity concerns
Analysis
Boost to Oman's artificial intelligence drives economic diversification
With global spending on AI projected to reach $632bn by 2028, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 29% between 2024 and 2028, Oman has launched its National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies. Unveiled in September 2024 as part of Oman Vision 2040, this initiative will play a key role in the country’s digital transformation and economic diversification strategy...
Interview
Bader Al Zidi, CEO, Vodafone Oman
On the development of telecommunications and advancing digital infrastructure
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...
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 in Emerging Markets
Economic ViewAli 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...
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