Page 3 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

EDITORIAL SAMENA TRENDS

Accelerated Collaboration and the Sustainable Digital

Future

As digital transformation paces on with of AI-powered broadband networks that
technology and changing priorities, can reach underserved areas; supporting
economies, industries, and socio-economic digital education and skills development,
dynamics are shifting along. Overall, rapid so young people are prepared to thrive in a
advancements in 5G technology, artificial digital economy; implementing policies that
intelligence (AI), and next-generation foster innovation while ensuring fairness
broadband networks, are catalyzing smarter, and security in how technologies are
faster, and more efficient systems that are deployed; and ensuring affordable, reliable
driving change across the globe. This is connectivity for communities in a greener,
bringing about a truly digitally-empowered sustainable manner.
world.
Countries in the subregions such as the Arab
At the heart of this global digital States, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa
empowerment lies AI, which is not only are increasingly recognizing the importance
enhancing the capabilities of networks but of digital transformation. With a young, tech-
also enabling smarter, more personalized savvy population eager to innovate, these Bocar A. BA
Chief Executive Officer
services for end-users; a large portion of regions have the potential to fast-track & Board Member
whom is young and technology savvy. traditional development models. However, SAMENA Telecommunications
Whether it’s optimizing network traffic, to fully capitalize on this opportunity, Council
predicting and preventing outages, they need investment in infrastructure,
or delivering personalized customer support for digital literacy, and policies that work together toward common goals,
experiences, AI is becoming the backbone of promote and enable sustainable growth – a conditions for inclusive, equitable digital
next-generation communication networks. significant share of which is directly linked growth can be created much more
to sustainable access to energy resources easily. Expanding digital infrastructure
Yet, as digital infrastructure advances required for digital development. is one key result of such synergistic
forward, with more artificial-intelligence involvement, but another key outcome
added to it, access remains a critical In the Arab States, where digital ambitions are is the creation of new opportunities,
challenge. Across the SA-ME-NA region and high and young people are rapidly adopting reducing inequality, engaging diverse
neighboring regions, millions still lack reliable new technologies, the need for inclusive stakeholders across different sectors,
internet connectivity. This digital divide digital services has never been more urgent. and driving innovation across all sectors
is hindering growth and preventing large The region has made significant strides of society.
segments of the population, particularly the in improving connectivity, but challenges
youth, from fully participating in the digital remain in ensuring that these advancements The digital future we are aiming to
realm. benefit everyone. By prioritizing digital create demands that no one be left
inclusion, as has been voiced together by behind. By investing in the right
Fortunately, collaboration offers a clear path the SAMENA Council and the UNDP, these infrastructure, supporting the next
forward for overcoming the divides and the regions can build a foundation for long-term, generation with digital skills, and
impeding challenges, but necessitates that sustainable development that empowers fostering collaboration across borders,
Governments, Telcos, TechCos, Technology their youth and supports their economies. by leveraging the power of artificial
Vendors, and international organizations intelligence across terrestrial and space
come together to ensure digital inclusion The key to success lies in accelerated networks, we can create a connected,
becomes a reality for all. Fundamentally, this collaboration. When Governments, the smarter, inclusive, and a transformed
translates into investing in the expansion Private Sector, and international bodies world.

3 MARCH-APRIL 2025