Page 75 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman and Rwanda Sign MoU to Boost Cooperation in ICT and Digital Economy

In a significant step toward fostering inter- of the Ministry of Transport, Communica- Collaboration in AI applications and ad-
national collaboration in the digital sphere, tions and Information Technology of Oman, vanced digital technologies
the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of and Yves Iradukunda, Permanent Secretary Promoting participation of private sectors
Rwanda have signed a Memorandum of at Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation. and startups in innovation ecosystems
Understanding (MoU) focused on advanc- The MoU outlines strategic areas of coop- Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Al
ing cooperation in information and commu- eration including: Shidhani stated:
nication technology (ICT), digital economy Cybersecurity and IT industry development “Honored to have signed, on behalf of the
development, artificial intelligence, and Joint research on AI, emerging technolo- Ministry of Transport, Communications
cybersecurity. The agreement was signed gies, and Internet of Things (IoT) and Information Technology - Oman, an
during the Global AI Summit on Africa, Workforce development in data protection MoU with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT & In-
hosted in Rwanda, and was represented by Exchange of expertise in government digi- novation during the Global AI Summit on
Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary tal transformation Africa. This partnership reflects our shared
commitment to advancing collaborations
in digital economy, AI, cybersecurity, and
emerging technologies.” He expressed his
appreciation to Her Excellency Paula Inga-
bire, Minister of ICT & Innovation of Rwan-
da, and His Excellency Yves Iradukunda for
their valuable partnership and expressed
optimism about the fruitful opportunities
this collaboration will bring for both na-
tions. This MoU represents a shared vision
between Oman and Rwanda to create an in-
clusive and innovative digital future through
mutual exchange, knowledge-sharing, and
technological empowerment.

New Ofcom Report Uncovers Breadth of Digital Exclusion

Despite a more connected society, millions those in unstable housing, minority ethnic ity in the past month alone—a figure that
in the UK remain digitally excluded, facing groups, non-English speakers, and infre- underscores the toxic undercurrents run-
barriers in access, affordability, and confi- quent internet users. Their experiences ning through digital spaces. The conse-
dence. For many, the internet is a lifeline – paint a troubling picture of an internet that quences of digital exclusion ripple far be-
connecting them to work, healthcare, and fails to serve everyone equally. For disabled yond inconvenience. Participants described
loved ones. But for millions in the UK, going participants, going online often came at a missing medical appointments, struggling
online remains fraught with barriers, leav- physical cost – fatigue, pain from poorly to apply for jobs, and feeling increasingly
ing them isolated, disadvantaged, and at designed devices, and heightened anxiety. isolated as services moved online. Non-En-
risk of worsening mental and physical Many struggled with websites and apps glish speakers, in particular, found them-
health. A new Ofcom-commissioned report that weren’t built with accessibility in mind, selves dependent on family or friends to
reveals the stark reality of digital exclusion, forcing them to rely on workarounds or sim- navigate essential tasks—banking, govern-
exposing how gaps in access, confidence, ply go without. Those in insecure housing, ment forms, even booking a GP appoint-
and affordability are deepening inequali- meanwhile, described the frustration of un- ment. Even those who were technically on-
ties. While the number of people entirely reliable connections. Overcrowded homes line often faced barriers. Around 27% of UK
offline has dropped from 13% before the led to sluggish speeds, while short-term adults are “narrow internet users,” sticking
pandemic to just 5% today, that still rep- rentals made signing up for broadband to just a few basic tasks due to fear or lack
resents 2.8 million people cut off from an nearly impossible. Some found themselves of skills. Another 18% rely solely on smart-
increasingly digital society. Even among locked out of remote work or education op- phones, often because they can’t afford a
those who are online, 8% lack confidence, portunities, exacerbating financial instabili- home broadband connection—a limitation
leaving them hesitant to engage with es- ty. Racism and abuse further poisoned the that disproportionately affects women and
sential services. Researchers commis- online experience for many minority ethnic lower-income households.
sioned by Ofcom spoke to 70 people across users. Nearly half (48%) reported encoun-
the UK, including disabled individuals, tering hateful content targeting their ethnic-

75 MAY 2025