The SAMENA Telecommunications Council, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the GSMA, convened a high-level roundtable session at the Mobile World Congress 2025, titled "Empowering the Arab States: Advancing Digital Inclusion for a Connected Future." The event was designed to delineate the need to accelerate digital transformation and attain ICT maturity in the Arab region to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the next five years.
A central theme of the roundtable was the need for regional policy harmonization to ensure seamless digital transformation across the Arab States. Experts called for greater alignment in digital policies, particularly in areas such as data governance, e-commerce, and fintech, to create a unified digital ecosystem. Regulatory collaboration across borders was highlighted as a critical enabler of digital inclusion, allowing for more efficient investments and stronger regional cooperation.
The roundtable brought together a diverse group of policymakers, international organizations, the private sector, and thought-leaders to explore actionable strategies for overcoming the digital divide and fostering an inclusive digital economy in the Arab region, with positive implications on the neighboring regions. This session marked an important milestone in advancing the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) Initiative, which is central to promoting digital inclusion as a driver of sustainable growth in the Arab States.
The opening remarks, delivered by the CEO of SAMENA Council, Bocar BA, set the stage by highlighting the urgency of addressing digital inclusion. With a focus on the Global Digital Compact (GDC) principles –i.e., Digital Inclusion, Human Rights, Digital Cooperation, Cybersecurity, Sustainable Development, and Ethical Use of Technologies – the session stressed that digital transformation is no longer optional but a critical necessity for socio-economic progress and innovation. BA called for new financing mechanisms and strengthened partnerships between public and private sectors to expand digital infrastructure and bridge the digital divide, particularly in underserved communities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies were highlighted by participants from e& and ITU. Specifically, Dena Al Mansoori, Chief AI and Data Officer at e&, and ITU BDT Director, Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, discussed the transformative potential of AI in sectors such as education, healthcare, and financial services. As AI continues to shape the digital landscape, the roundtable reaffirmed the importance of responsible governance to prevent exacerbating existing inequalities. Moreover, AI-driven solutions must be designed with inclusivity at their core to ensure accessibility and fairness, particularly for marginalized communities. The discussions aligned with the objectives of the D4SD initiative, which seeks to harness digital technologies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.
One of the most pressing challenges discussed was the significant financing gap in digital infrastructure, estimated at $446 billion globally; an issue that SAMENA Council has repeatedly highlighted over the last four years. Experts such as Michael Kende of the Data Sphere Initiative and Philippe Defraigne from Cullen International called for innovative financing models to bridge this gap and ensure that digital transformation is inclusive and equitable. The importance of expanding the pool of financial contributors, beyond traditional telecom operators, to include major technology firms, OTT platforms, and cloud service providers, was stressed as essential to scaling investments.
The experience of the UAE, a regional leader in digital transformation, was also shared as a case study of how public-private partnerships can be leveraged to scale digital inclusion and public service delivery. The roundtable also emphasized the importance of addressing the digital gender divide and youth unemployment. With over 60% of the Arab region’s population under 30, ensuring that young people are equipped with digital skills for the future of work was seen as essential for sustainable economic growth. Similarly, the gender digital divide remains a significant barrier, with women in many regions still less likely to access digital tools and opportunities. Targeted interventions were called for to empower women and youth and ensure that they can fully participate in the digital economy.
Participating entities in the roundtable included:
Cisco, CST KSA, CITRA Kuwait, Cullen International, e&, Minister of Somalia, GSMA-MENA, i2Cat, IFC, ITU, K-Eco, Deputy Minister-MCIT Egypt, Minister of Communications - Lebanon, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship - Jordan, Minister of Post and Telecommunications - Algeria, Ooredoo Group, Orange Jordan, SAMENA Council, Smart Africa, TRA Bahrain, TRA Oman, UNDP, Universal Postal Union, Women in AI, and the World Bank.
Bocar BA, in his concluding remarks as the Chair of the high-level discussion, called for a shift from ideas to concrete actions. “This roundtable has set clear priorities for future collaboration, including scaling investments in digital public infrastructure, ensuring that AI development is inclusive and accessible, and that we all need to foster regional policy harmonization to create a unified digital economy across the Arab States, and the SA-ME-NA region, overall.”
SAMENA Council, in partnership with UNDP, is committed to driving forward the D4SD initiative and ensuring that no one is left behind as the region works toward a more connected and inclusive digital future. This SAMENA Council – UNDP collaboration was in continuation of an MoU that both entities signed in 2024, to help accelerate digital development in the region.
Source: SAMENA Council Press release