Addressing a China Mobile International hosted leadership gala dinner during the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) last week, SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s CEO, Bocar BA, described how digital multilateralism has become inevitable and how sustainability challenges, including in digital infrastructure development through robust financing, are prompting unprecedented, out-of-the-box approaches to materialize. BA outlined how industries and niche segments are now being extensively driven by digitalization, new digital offerings, differentiated value-propositions, and how industry stakeholders need to capitalize on new opportunities relating to Industry 4.0, smart-city projects, and proliferating 5G applications across education, healthcare, oil & gas, port operations, and other verticals that are of most relevance to the economic diversification visions of this region.
BA, in his leadership speech, acknowledged that "This region, led by the collaboration and expertise from the likes of China Mobile, e& Group from the UAE, as well as other valued members of SAMENA Council, and supported by enabling policies and improved regulatory approaches, are fostering an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment, ensuring the safety and stability of supply chains in relevant areas, and advancing inclusiveness. Such support is central to the pace and progress of digitalization and digital transformation, and to our collective aspiration of making 5G a success for all. The pace at which digital transformation is taking place, sustainability and inclusiveness must remain the key principles for driving digitally-powered economic growth, creating new human experiences, and exploring new areas of inter-industry and inter-regional co-operation for both human development and environmental protection."
The SA-ME-NA region as a whole, and the GCC sub-region in particular, is leading in digital transformation by championing accelerated adoption of 5G, while ground for 5G Advance (or 5.5G) is being prepared. The emerging 5G opportunity landscape offers a reflection into the visions of the regional governments and demonstrates an understanding among industry stakeholders about the true potential of 5G. Regional Telecom Operators' leadership in 5G network deployment is particularly noteworthy, as it is being powered by strong collaboration with Tech Providers, innovation, attention to life-changing and new business solutions, and an overarching focus on thriving and governing sustainably.
An advocacy continuum, BA's keynote during the GITEX week supported and promoted the role of Telecom Operators, Regulators, and Tech Providers, especially since each stakeholder has a direct stake and responsibility in reinforcing and reimagining broadband’s role as a key driver of digital transformation across Education, Healthcare, Financial Service Delivery, thus signifying universal, inclusive, and affordable access to connectivity. Furthermore, strong collaboration among the industry stakeholders is central to meeting targets set forth by the ITU, where SAMENA Council chairs the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues (IAGDI), and by the UN Broadband Commission, where SAMENA Council has contributed extensively to help build consensus and implementable recommendations for funding and financing the next wave of broadband infrastructure development around the world. Such recommendations include broadening the base of contributors and adopting innovative financial approaches and instruments that engage leading financial institutions with the ICT industry.
Source: SAMENA Council Press release