Date: May 21, 2025
Dubai
His Excellency Dr. Atef Helmy, former Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the General Assembly of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, emphasized that “digital infrastructure represents the fundamental pillar for achieving a comprehensive and sustainable economic renaissance in the Arab world.” This was during his keynote speech on the second day of the Seamless Middle East 2025 Conference.
His Excellency emphasized that the challenges facing the Arab region in the field of digital connectivity and access to electronic services require well-considered investments, integrated policies, and strong regional cooperation. He noted that the Arab Federation for Digital Economy is working to support these efforts by developing joint strategic visions, such as the document adopted at the Arab Summit in Algeria in 2022.
His Excellency indicated that the digital economy has become one of the most important drivers of economic growth in the twenty-first century and is working to reshape global economic and social systems. However, its contribution to the Arab GDP remains modest at 8%, compared to more than 40% in the United States, China, and Europe. This gap represents a golden opportunity that the region can exploit through smart investment in digital infrastructure, developing qualified human resources, and creating an appropriate regulatory environment.
His Excellency praised the efforts made by Arab governments and institutions to develop digital infrastructure, emphasizing that many countries have begun adopting comprehensive national digital transformation strategies aimed at developing national digital infrastructure. He noted an increasing focus on investing in digital education, training the workforce, and supporting digital technology startups to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. He also emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation to exchange expertise, standardize standards, and build strategic partnerships that enhance the region’s position on the global digital map.
Concluding his speech, His Excellency Dr. Atef Helmy presented his vision for the future of digital infrastructure in the Arab world, noting that development is expected to continue at an accelerated pace, driven by the growing demand for digital services and government efforts to achieve comprehensive digital transformation. He stressed that addressing existing challenges requires well-thought-out policies and targeted investments to enable digital infrastructure to play an influential role in achieving sustainable development and economic and social prosperity in the region.
