ICT Sector Research Highlights

ICT in Emerging Markets

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

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...

Murid Atassi, CEO, Syriatel

On unlocking telecoms potential through infrastructure upgrades and strategic investment

Abdul Salam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology

On fibre transit and market reopening

Ali Boumediene, CEO, Bomare

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

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...

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...

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...

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...