Cairo
Source: Al-Wafd Newspaper
Prof. Dr. Ali Mohammed Al-Khouri
The world is currently witnessing a frantic race toward digital arms, with major countries competing to develop their technological capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing. This digital race is not just an attempt to keep pace with technological developments; it represents a strategic investment in the future of national security and economic growth. It also impacts international relations and the balance of power between countries, given the impact of controlling advanced technologies and exploiting them as a tool for diplomatic and economic influence. In this context, Arab countries find themselves facing profound challenges, but also promising opportunities that could change the contours of their digital future and their position in the global economy.
Like other countries around the world, Arab countries face fundamental challenges in keeping pace with global digital development. One of the most prominent of these challenges is the so-called “digital divide,” as many Arab countries suffer from significant disparities in access to modern technologies and digital infrastructure compared to developed countries. According to 2023 International Telecommunication Union reports, approximately 45% of the region’s population does not have reliable internet access, limiting their ability to benefit from digital transformation and hindering economic development efforts. This technology gap also reflects a shortage of qualified human resources to address complex digital challenges. Studies show that the Arab region suffers from a shortage of specialized skills, especially in areas such as cybersecurity. The skills gap amounts to approximately 3.4 million specialists, leaving Arab organizations vulnerable to cyber risks and exacerbating the fragility of their digital infrastructure. Examining the reasons and causes, we find that Arab spending on technology research and development remains low compared to global standards. While developed countries allocate an average of 2.3% of their GDP to this sector, Arab countries allocate much lower percentages, not exceeding 0.8% in some countries. This funding gap makes it difficult for Arab countries to develop local and innovative solutions to technological challenges, and even places them in a position of dependency on foreign technology. The absence of integrated national strategies for digital transformation poses another challenge. Many Arab countries lack a clear and comprehensive vision for how to leverage technology to support development plans. This, in turn, leads to the dispersion of efforts and the waste of resources, as well as making them vulnerable to increasing cyber threats due to their continued reliance on technology without the knowledge and capabilities to adequately protect digital infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, Arab countries possess unique opportunities that can be exploited. The demographic structure of the Arab region represents one of its most important strengths, with youth representing approximately 60% of the total population. This high percentage of youth opens the door to investment in training and honing their technical skills, contributing to enhancing the region’s competitiveness in the global digital labor market. Furthermore, annual government budget allocations to finance digital infrastructure projects can make a significant difference in the digital presence of Arab countries.
In the context of capitalizing on these opportunities, digital transformation in vital sectors such as health, education, and agriculture represents an important entry point for transforming the Arab economy, creating new job opportunities, and achieving economic diversification. In addition, regional cooperation between Arab countries in the field of technology will contribute to the exchange of expertise and unification of efforts to address common challenges and enhance the region’s ability to compete on the global stage.
For Arab countries to catch up with digital development, they require a set of integrated strategic steps. The first of these steps is developing the education system and updating curricula to focus on 21st-century skills, such as programming and data analysis. This should not be limited to academic education, but should extend to developing the future workforce by investing in specialized training programs to qualify young people in advanced technology fields and enable them to contribute effectively to the national digital economy.
At the same time, governments must invest in developing digital infrastructure by building fast and reliable communications networks and providing the energy requirements necessary to support these technologies. Providing an attractive environment for investment in technology startups will also contribute to fostering innovation and creating more job opportunities. Furthermore, improving cybersecurity is an urgent necessity in light of the increasing digital threats. This requires enacting strict laws to protect personal data and building local capabilities to confront the growing cyber threats. Another undisputed focus is international cooperation, which represents a fundamental pillar for supporting digital transformation. Cooperation with advanced countries in the field of technology and the exchange of knowledge and expertise will enable Arab countries to benefit from global best practices. In this context, it becomes imperative to develop policies that encourage investment in technology, in addition to addressing bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the growth and development of priority sectors, particularly those related to technological infrastructure, digital education, and the development of specialized human skills.
In conclusion, the race for digital arms is no longer an option, but rather a strategic necessity. Arab countries must prioritize political will to advance the agenda of digital transformation and economic progress. Naturally, this requires directing efforts and resources toward achieving national and regional goals, supported by a clear future vision, strategic investments, and well-thought-out implementation plans. This will enable them to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities, as a prerequisite for achieving an influential position in the global digital economy.
