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
OverviewBahraini 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 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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