Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Kuwait’s Vision 2035 Drives Digital Transformation Through Strategic

Partnerships and Technological Advance

Kuwait is undergoing a significant digital To realize this ambition, the government Partnerships for Youth Empowerment and
transition as part of its Vision 2035, aiming is making substantial investments Skill Development
to diversify its economy and establish itself in information and communication Kuwait’s private sector is also contributing
as a regional financial and technological technology (ICT) and digital infrastructure. to digital empowerment, particularly
hub. A key focus of this transformation The ICT market in Kuwait was valued at through initiatives aimed at enhancing
is the development of digital identity and $22.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to digital skills for youth. Collaborations with
biometric technologies, which are essential reach $39.83 billion by 2029. The Vision institutions like Zain, the National Bank of
for updating government services and emphasizes telecom improvements, Kuwait (NBK), and the Kuwait Foundation
enhancing national security. especially the rollout of 5G networks, for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS)
Biometric Projects and Government which will increase connectivity, improve are providing training in emerging
Initiatives digital services, and promote the growth of technologies such as artificial intelligence
Recently, the Ministry of Interior’s smart cities. (AI), cloud computing, and big data.
biometric fingerprinting project reached Security and Data Privacy Priorities Strategic Global Partnerships and Kuwait’s
a major milestone with over 3 million The Central Information Technology Technological Future
citizens and foreigners registered as part Regulatory Authority (CITRA) has been Kuwait’s collaboration with Google Cloud
of the national digital transformation instrumental in strengthening Kuwait’s aims to digitize government services,
initiative. This biometric project is critical cybersecurity landscape. However, the secure data migration to the cloud, and
to improving security and modernizing country still faces challenges related develop a national digital skills program.
government services by providing precise to cyber-attacks and data protection This partnership aligns with Vision 2035,
identification for accessing public and concerns. Despite the establishment which emphasizes the diversification
private sector services. While the project of the National Cybersecurity Center of Kuwait’s economy and the growth of
has made substantial progress, more than (NCSC) in 2022, Kuwait remains the third technology sectors such as healthcare,
754,000 individuals are yet to complete most targeted country in the GCC by education, and smart cities.
the registration. The deadline for Kuwaiti ransomware attacks. To tackle this, Kuwait Cybersecurity and E-commerce Growth
citizens has passed, but expatriates have has partnered with Microsoft to implement Despite facing cybersecurity challenges,
until December 31 to comply. The initiative a Zero Trust security model to protect its Kuwait’s e-commerce market has grown
not only streamlines services but also digital platforms. significantly due to increasing internet,
bolsters Kuwait’s security infrastructure Financial and Security Sector Integration mobile phone, and banking penetration.
using biometric technology. Kuwait’s biometric initiatives are also Online digital payments have surged,
Role of STC Kuwait and Thales in Digital significantly impacting the financial and with Knet, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
Growth security sectors. The Kuwait General transactions growing nine times faster
STC Kuwait, a major player in Kuwait’s Administration of Customs (KGAC), in than point-of-sale transactions in recent
digital transformation, has expanded its collaboration with M2Sys, implemented years.
role from traditional telecommunications to a multimodal biometric border control Kuwait’s Digital Identity Evolution
becoming an integral part of the country’s system that incorporates facial recognition, The journey toward a digital government
digital advancement. The company has fingerprint scanning, and iris identification. began in the early 2000s and accelerated
forged strategic contracts that enhance The biometric registration efforts have with the Kuwait Civil ID card program.
the nation’s connectivity, while assisting also extended to the banking sector, where In 2009, Kuwait launched the National
the government in meeting broader digital 60,000 unregistered individuals faced bank Identity Project, which was completed in
goals, such as incorporating biometrics and account suspensions due to the biometric partnership with Intercede, Diyar United
AI technology across various industries. registration deadline. Company (DUC), and VeriSign to issue
Similarly, Thales has been instrumental Mobile and Digital Identity Solutions biometric-based smart ID cards.
in supplying secure multi-application The Public Authority for Civil Information Vision 2035 Goals and Future Outlook
eID cards to citizens and residents. With (PACI) is managing the civil ID initiative, Kuwait’s efforts under Vision 2035 are
advanced smart card technology and which is the cornerstone of Kuwait’s digital paving the way for a more secure and tech-
experience in identity management, Thales infrastructure. The Kuwait Mobile ID app by nologically advanced future. The coun-
has played a key role in facilitating the shift Zain enables users to access government try’s strategic alliances with firms such
to a digital government platform in Kuwait. services, sign documents online, and as Thales, Google Cloud, and STC Kuwait
The Kuwait’s Growing Digital Infrastructure complete transactions, thus enhancing are enhancing connectivity, security, and
push for a digitally empowered economy Kuwait’s e-government services and e-services, supporting economic diversifi-
continues as Kuwait’s Vision 2035 also improving the overall experience for cation and reinforcing Kuwait’s global po-
aims to reduce the country’s reliance on oil. citizens and residents. sition in the digital economy.

74 OCT-DEC 2024