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Toward Digital Transformation in MENA
As part of the MENA Workforce Development Initiative, this series aims to improve our understanding the landscape of digital economies and digital transformation of the region.
Through a series of high-profile policy discussions, publications, and other features, the MENA Digital Transformation series will highlight what countries and businesses are doing to increase digital consumption, promote digitization of businesses and public services, build on digital infrastructure and skills, and close the digital divide. Through this series the Middle East Program aims to educate our extensive audience in Washington and beyond about how the US, Western allies, and private entities can support the digital transformation as a development goal and harness it as an investment opportunity.
Featured Publication
COVID-19 and Internet Accessibility in the MENA Region: Maximizing digital skills and connectivity for economic recovery
Alexander Farley and Manuel Langendorf assess the readiness of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to shift employment and education online, both in terms of Internet availability and digital literacy among the populace. They argue that increasing internet accessibility and improving digital skills development can build on the steps that various governments have taken during the pandemic to mitigate economic impacts to form a digitally-enabled recovery strategy. However, policy planning and implementation needs to focus more on making the digital transformation in region inclusive and to bridge digital divides, which are becoming the new face of inequality around the world.
Learn MoreRecent Events
Events
Iraq’s Digital Future: A Conversation with the Minister of Communications
Digital Transformation in MENA: Harnessing Internet Accessibility for COVID-19 recovery
Egypt’s Digital Future: A Conversation with the Egyptian Minister of Communication and Information Technology
