ICT Sector Research Highlights
The Report: Abu Dhabi 2023
ICT Sector Analysis
Abu Dhabi is poised for deeper integration of advanced technologies in government and business processes. With advanced digital infrastructure and high global rankings in digital readiness...
The Report: Misrata 2024
ICT and Innovation Sector Analysis
In an increasingly interconnected world, ICT has become indispensable. Libya’s demographic profile, with a median age of 26.1 as of 2020, creates a conducive environment for digitalisation...
The Report: Saudi Arabia 2023
ICT Sector Analysis
Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector stands as the largest and fastest-growing in the MENA region, valued at SR154bn ($41.1bn) as of 2022. The Kingdom’s ambition has attracted global attention...
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 Sector Analyses
OverviewHow Abu Dhabi is working to strengthen its ICT sector
With a strong ecosystem in place, the coming years should see Abu Dhabi more deeply embedding advanced technologies in government and business procedures to propel economic growth. The emirate benefits from its advanced digital infrastructure, with the emirate and the UAE both having achieved high rankings in multiple global digital readiness indices. Governments across the GCC have traditionally been the key funding bodies for economic development programmes, but a region-wide focus on...
Interview
Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42
On how digital technologies can facilitate the country’s economic development
Analysis
Why GCC is turning to e-sports to support diversification plans
As Gulf countries continue to pursue plans to diversify their economies and unlock job creation for their relatively young populations, they are increasingly investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as e-sports. The MENA gaming market is expected to expand by some 19% by 2025 compared to 2019, according to a June 2022 analysis by strategic consultancy RedSeer, reaching a value of $5bn. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre estimated in a June 2023 report that the market size could reach $6bn...
Interview
Ali Al Hashemi, Group CEO, Yahsat
On promoting sustainability principles and practices in the satellite segment
Overview
How rise in internet penetration in Misrata spurred ICT innovation
As Misrata looks to rebuild and diversify its economy after a period of instability, ICT has emerged as a potential catalyst for driving growth and development. Steps are being taken in order to facilitate the digitalisation of services and trade, as well as encourage technology adoption, boosting efficiency in both the public and private sectors. In an increasingly interconnected world, ICT has become indispensable. Libya’s demographic profile, with a median age of 26.1 as of 2020, creates a conducive environment for digitalisation...
Analysis
Misrata targets digital transformation, literacy to improve service provision
Libya’s commitment to digital transformation nationwide and innovation is evident in the inauguration of the Digital Lab training initiative, in Tunis in March 2023. Supported by the EU, these programmes assist Libyan institutions in digitalising their operations, optimising processes and enhancing overall efficiency. The pioneering digital laboratory, the first of its kind in the country, aims to elevate the government’s stature and foster coordination among diverse institutions. Investment in e-government services has been a key...
The Report: Bahrain 2023
ICT Sector Analysis
ICT sector development forms a central element of Bahrain’s economic growth and innovation plans, enabling the development of multiple sectors and enhancing public service provision...
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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