Page 4 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

EDITORIAL SAMENA TRENDS

Digital Economic Growth: From Policy to Reality

Multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts private collaboration, improved policy and
are now ever more necessary to help align regulatory enablement steps, aligned well
needs and ways forward on the complex with digital transformation goals set by
aspirations and challenges associated with Operators and the Private Sector, at large,
the Digital Economy. and sustainable influx in investment in both
infrastructure and incubation of innovation
In the now digitally-powered world, and ICT talent, will play a central role in
ubiquitous connectivity, computational catalyzing economic growth opportunities
power, and comprehension capabilities are for both existing and new businesses.
now driving technology development, with Quite possibly, this may uplift standards of
reduced cycles of adoption and with a greater living for billions all around the world. It is
possibility (and need) for stakeholder and engaging in these efforts, which can ensure
industry-to-industry cooperation. However, we make progress on our visions for digital
some fundamental needs remain the same: economic growth.
we need to include everyone in the digital
economy; and everyone should benefit from SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2021, Bocar A. BA
Chief Executive Officer & Board
the digital-led economic growth. to be held on April 8th, with a special focus Member
on "Championing Digital Economic Growth SAMENA Telecommunications
In this regard, partnership, collaboration, from Policy to Reality", is an important Council
digital capacity-building and innovation contribution to such efforts. The Summit
carry immense weight and are crucial will bring together renowned Public and
for sustaining the digital development Private-sector stakeholders, decision- with Media, Digital Application & 5G
momentum created over the past year. This makers, and global bodies to help voice Ecosystems, Digital Sustainability, and
momentum is essential for recovery efforts transformational needs for all. the Internet Economy.
around the world, and must be utilized
effectively to propel a new wave of digitally- Leaders' Summit 2021 will focus on As our societies and the global economy
driven and digitally-inclusive economic the role of broadband networks and digitalize, there are greater possibilities
development. In the post-pandemic advanced digital technologies, such as to put into effect human-centric, data-
times, new socio-economic and business cloud communications, IoT, AI, with a driven, and evidence-based policies,
paradigms, which, in many ways, are very particular emphasis on understanding their increase economic competitiveness,
different from those of the past, are the way implementation in correlation with emerging create more jobs, enhance provision of
to the future. social and business value ecosystems improved public services throughout
as well as thriving digital application the SA-ME-NA region's urban and
This calls for new initiatives and fresh new ecosystems. The structure of the Leaders' rural communities, and to create more
efforts in the alignment of the Industry's Summit 2021 is designed to accomodate capital.
and the governments' priorities and merits a multi-dimensional agenda, ranging
a paradigm shift in policy-making and from policy statements, discussions on We just need to put policy to action, and
regulations. On our way to economic a complex subject matter, to live insights work together in a well-orchestrated
recovery, from the technology front alone, from renowned personalities in the world. manner to address the systemic
increased network capacity and greater Special focus will be casted on Intelligent transformational requirements of
resilience are a pre-requisite for building a Connectivity, Technology Demonstration, operating in the new environs.
sustainable Digital Economy. On the other Global Action & Collaboration, Vertical
front, key enabling factors, such as public- Industry Segments, Interview Sessions

4 FEB-MAR 2021