Page 53 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia Enhances Digital Economy with National Data Index

The digital economy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is set to receive improve the effectiveness of data management operational
a boost with the launch of open data programs, including the processes, and develop compliance and investigation-reporting
introduction of the National Data Index, also known as Nudei, mechanisms. An upgraded version of the Open Data Platform
during the Saudi Data Forum in Riyadh. The event also saw the was also released, allowing individuals, government, and non-
launch of upgraded versions of the Open Data Platform and the government agencies to publish their open data for entrepreneurs
Data Governance Platform. This initiative, a first for the Kingdom, and other beneficiaries. The platform has achieved over 7,000
aims to promote transparency, create a national data-based open data sets, 190 publishers, and 35 use cases. Additionally, the
economy, and contribute to the assessment of data maturity in Data Governance Platform aims to register entities covered by the
government entities, aligning with Vision 2030. Organized by the Personal Data Protection Law, providing support and advice on
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the National preserving the privacy of personal data holders and protecting their
Transformation Program, the launch was attended by global rights. Government agencies can benefit from the platform through
and local experts. Participants included Assistant Minister of a process that involves filling out the registration form, logging
Interior for Technology Affairs Prince Bandar Bin Abdullah, SDAIA in through the national unified access platform, completing the
President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, ministers, senior officials, and entity’s profile, and submitting data for evaluation. It also provides
representatives from local and international companies. The services, including notification about possible data leaks, privacy
National Data Index, a collaboration between SDAIA and NTP, is impact assessment, legal support, and a self-assessment tool for
a dynamic results-based indicator for follow-up and evaluation. It compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law. SDAIA and NTP
aims to assess and track the progress of government agencies in signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 to launch new
data management, compliance, and operational indicators across strategic partnerships and smart business solutions that support
14 areas. The indicator establishes a robust data governance the strategic objectives of Vision 2030 assigned to NTP, including
framework and policies to control data management practices, SDAIA’s initiatives related to data and artificial intelligence.
measure data management maturity and ensure compliance,

Egypt Advances Digital Strategy with Telecom Egypt’s Regional Data Hub

Expansion

Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information
Technology, witnessed the signing of a crucial contract between
Telecom Egypt (TE) and Raya Information Technology. This
contract marks the commencement of the second phase of TE’s
ambitious Regional Data Hub (RDH) project, underscoring Egypt’s
growing role in the global digital landscape. Set to be operational in
18 months, the second phase responds to the increasing demand
for data hub services. Mohamed Nasr of TE and Hisham Abdel
Rasoul of Raya Information Technology formalized the agreement,
indicating a strong partnership between these leading entities.
The first phase of the RDH project demonstrated remarkable
success, reaching full utilization within a year. This efficiency sets
a high standard for the upcoming phase, which aims to further
enhance Egypt’s digital infrastructure. Under the new contract,
Raya Information Technology will deliver advanced technological
solutions to support digital transformation. The focus will be on the evolving needs of the digital world. This expansion is a vital
enhancing the RDH’s scalability and adaptability, aligning with step in Egypt’s digital strategy, positioning the country as a major
global sustainability standards, and mitigating environmental global data center. The RDH’s first phase, launched in 2021, already
impacts. A significant goal of this phase is to help TE obtain serves over 22 international clients, including cloud and content
Uptime Tier III certificates, showcasing its commitment to service providers, and hosts EG-IX, an open access Internet exchange
quality and flexible infrastructure. The RDH’s strategic location platform. The RDH project by Telecom Egypt, with its expansion
positions it as a regional hub with potential for future expansions. and technological advancements, plays a pivotal role in elevating
Connected to TE’s marine landing stations on the Mediterranean Egypt’s status in the global digital economy. This development
and Red Sea coasts, it offers businesses opportunities for global not only enhances the country’s digital infrastructure but also
expansion. The completion of the second phase will increase the offers new opportunities for businesses and enriches the user
RDH’s capacity to 7.1 megawatts. Plans include two additional experience, contributing significantly to Egypt’s vision of becoming
phases, bringing the total capacity to 16.3 megawatts, catering to a key player in the digital world.
53 DECEMBER 2023