Latest news with #ICTRegulatoryTracker
Saudi Gazette
17-06-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia announces its candidacy to ITU Council's membership
Saudi Gazette report GENEVA — Saudi Arabia announced its candidacy to retain its membership in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council. The announcement was made during the 2025 ITU Council session held in Geneva, Switzerland. Addressing the council meeting on Tuesday, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Acting Governor Eng. Haytham AlOhali reaffirmed the Kingdom's pioneering role in supporting the global telecom and technology sector. Eng. AlOhali reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong commitment to international cooperation in bridging the digital divide, stressing the importance of accelerating global efforts to connect the unconnected and address the challenges of the digital and AI era. He pointed out that the world currently connects around 200 million people annually, and at this pace, it would take more than 13 years to connect the remaining 2.6 billion. This calls for an innovative approach to speed up connectivity efforts and reduce the timeframe by over 50%. 'Saudi Arabia is proud to be among the top nations that have successfully reduced the digital connectivity gap to below 1 percent. The Kingdom has also leveraged technology to create advanced and innovative solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and public services,' he said. Eng. AlOhali affirmed that Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the ITU, introduced the AI Readiness Framework, highlighting the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence must be inclusive, human-centered, and focused on empowering youth and women. 'By innovation and collaboration, we now have the solution to accelerate the pace of global connectivity and cut the time needed to close the digital gap by over half. This could enable us to connect the unconnected within five years or even sooner. It's not just about saving time, but about unlocking opportunities and advancing inclusive social and economic development, particularly in developing nations,' he stated. Eng. AlOhali pointed out that Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its digital workforce, increasing the number of professionals from 150,000 in 2018 to more than 380,000 by 2024. Women's participation in the ICT sector also grew from 7 percent to 35 percent, surpassing both the global and G20 averages. The Kingdom's adoption of a forward-thinking digital regulatory framework has secured it the second spot among G20 nations in the ITU's ICT Regulatory Tracker. In addition, Saudi Arabia has launched global initiatives to enhance regulatory digital maturity in over 100 countries, emphasizing the vital role of adaptable, innovation-driven frameworks in enabling inclusive digital transformation. AlOhali emphasized that the Kingdom's digital accomplishments and innovative initiatives have been driven by the strong support and guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to leveraging its resources and expertise to support the international and ITU's efforts in building a sustainable digital future. As part of the Kingdom's ongoing collaboration with the ITU, he announced that the Kingdom will host the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) from August 31 to September 3, 2025, in Riyadh, under the theme: 'Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development.' He invited all member states to participate in this significant forum, which highlights the Kingdom's strong relationship with the ITU and reflects its dedication to building regulatory frameworks that foster innovation, investment, and inclusive access. The ITU Council consists of 48 member states, including Saudi Arabia, out of a total of 194. The council oversees the Union's activities between Plenipotentiary Conferences (PP). Its responsibilities include: directing the ITU's tasks, ensuring the implementation of ITU policies and budgets, approving operational and financial plans, and reviewing programs, while also providing recommendations on general policies to develop the sector. This makes the council a pivotal mechanism in ensuring the efficiency and continuity of the ITU's work.
Business Insider
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Top 10 African countries leading in ICT policy and regulation
Africa's digital economy is rapidly evolving, and strong ICT policy and regulatory frameworks are playing a vital role in shaping that transformation. Africa's digital economy is undergoing significant transformation driven by policy and regulatory frameworks. The Tracker categorizes nations as G1 (limited) to G4 (leader) based on their regulatory environments. Ten African nations have achieved high maturity levels, with Burkina Faso and Senegal reaching G3 status. From data protection laws to broadband access strategies and regulations, several African countries have distinguished themselves through forward-thinking ICT policies. The ITU's ICT Regulatory Tracker provides a framework for assessing countries' regulatory systems in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. As African governments leverage ICT for economic growth, inclusion, and innovation, the Tracker helps measure progress, benchmark reforms, and identify gaps. Country assessment The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assesses global regulatory maturity through its G5 framework, ranking 193 countries across four pillars: national collaborative governance, policy design principles, digital development tools, and political agenda for the digital economy. The framework categorizes countries into four levels of regulatory maturity: - G1 (Limited): 0-40 points, characterized by monopolistic markets and authoritarian approaches. - G2 (Intermediate): 40-70 points, marked by partial liberalization and privatization. - G3 (Advanced): 70-85 points, featuring an environment conducive to innovation and competition. - G4 (Leader): 85-100 points, distinguished by harmonized regulation that drives digital transformation. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has revealed that ten African countries have reached high levels of regulatory maturity in ICT and digital governance—marking a major step forward in the continent's digital transformation. Notably, Burkina Faso and Senegal have advanced to the G3 category, joining a select group of countries with regulatory frameworks that promote investment, innovation, and universal access. Below is the list of the ten African countries with the most advanced ICT regulatory frameworks. No. Country Points 2024 Level 2024 1 Kenya 93 G4 2 Nigeria 92 G4 3 South Africa 88 G4 4 Malawi 87.5 G4 5 Egypt 87 G4 6 Rwanda 85.67 G4 7 Morocco 85.5 G4 8 Uganda 85 G4 9 Burkina Faso 84 G3 10 Senegal 82.67 G3
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Ranks Second in G20 for ICT Regulatory Progress
Saudi Arabia has secured second place among G20 countries in the UN International Telecommunication Union's 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's efforts to modernize its digital regulatory environment. The achievement underscores Saudi Arabia's progress in developing a robust regulatory framework for the telecommunications and information technology sectors. It reflects the country's commitment to fostering innovation, building advanced digital infrastructure, and implementing effective regulatory tools that support investment and fuel the growth of the digital economy. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission said the index is designed to assist policymakers and regulators in keeping pace with rapid changes in the sector. The index evaluates 194 countries based on 50 indicators across four key areas: regulatory authority independence, mandate, framework, and market competition. The Kingdom's performance in the ICT Regulatory Tracker adds to a string of international successes in the technology sector. It has maintained its position as the second-highest ranking G20 nation in the ITU's ICT Development Index for a second consecutive year. Saudi Arabia also ranked second among G20 countries in the UN's Telecommunication Infrastructure Index. Separately, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia was named 'Country of the Year' and topped the global rankings for the fastest-growing tech startup ecosystem in the 2024 StartupBlink Index. Riyadh was recognized as the world's fastest-growing city in this category. Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in healthtech, and second in both insurtech and investment tech, as well as in logistics and delivery applications. It placed third in digital payments, fifth in gaming, and seventh worldwide in edtech. Riyadh also posted the highest global growth rate in innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The capital ranked first in nanotechnology and transportation technology, and second in fintech. As part of its broader strategic vision, the Saudi government is working to maximize the economic impact of the tech sector. The digital economy now contributes more than SAR495 billion ($132 billion) to GDP, representing 15% of the total. The ICT market size exceeded SAR180 billion ($48 billion) in 2024, creating over 381,000 quality jobs. Women's empowerment has been a cornerstone of this transformation. Female participation in the tech sector surged from 7% in 2018 to 35% in 2024, the highest in the region and above the G20 and EU averages. In the realm of digital government, Saudi Arabia ranked fourth globally for digital services, second among G20 nations, and first in the region.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia ranks second among G20 in the ICT Regulatory Tracker Index
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia achieved an exceptional accomplishment by securing second place among the G20 countries in the ICT Regulatory Tracker index issued by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 2024. The achievement confirms Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress in telecommunications and technology regulations, enhancing regulatory innovation, building cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and implementing effective market oversight mechanisms. It also demonstrates Saudi Arabia's dedication to providing an attractive regulatory environment that stimulates investment and accelerates digital economic growth, solidifying its position as a global regulatory leader. The index aims to support decision-makers and regulatory entities in keeping pace with developments in the vital sector, as it measures the maturity of ICT regulatory frameworks across 194 countries. It is based on 50 criteria divided into four main pillars: regulatory authority, regulatory mandates, regulatory regime, and competition framework. The achievement extends Saudi Arabia's series of international successes in the telecom and technology sector, as it continues to enhance its global position by achieving the highest classifications and advanced rankings. Saudi Arabia maintained second place among G20 countries in the ICT Development Index for two consecutive years, and it achieved second place among the G20 countries in the United Nations' Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII). © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
20-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia ranks second among G20 in the ICT Regulatory Tracker Index
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia achieved an exceptional accomplishment by securing second place among the G20 countries in the ICT Regulatory Tracker index issued by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 2024. The achievement confirms Saudi Arabia's remarkable progress in telecommunications and technology regulations, enhancing regulatory innovation, building cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and implementing effective market oversight mechanisms. It also demonstrates Saudi Arabia's dedication to providing an attractive regulatory environment that stimulates investment and accelerates digital economic growth, solidifying its position as a global regulatory leader. The index aims to support decision-makers and regulatory entities in keeping pace with developments in the vital sector, as it measures the maturity of ICT regulatory frameworks across 194 countries. It is based on 50 criteria divided into four main pillars: regulatory authority, regulatory mandates, regulatory regime, and competition framework. The achievement extends Saudi Arabia's series of international successes in the telecom and technology sector, as it continues to enhance its global position by achieving the highest classifications and advanced rankings. Saudi Arabia maintained second place among G20 countries in the ICT Development Index for two consecutive years, and it achieved second place among the G20 countries in the United Nations' Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII).
