As technological innovation inspires more intelligent and automated societies, governments have also shifted towards digital governments leveraging digital technologies to improve their services and the lives of their citizens. While this has brought greater convenience and efficiency, it has also created a “Digital Gap” due to unequal access to digital technologies, whether due to differences in skills, connectivity or digital literacy. In the MENA region, these digital discrepancies are especially pronounced given the cultural and financial diversity of the region.
The GCC countries are diving into the digital age with intentional and well-calculated digital transformation strategies that have accounted for Digital Inclusion in many ways. While challenges with the inclusion of low-income groups and the elderly continue to persist in the GCC and globally, the GCC governments are making strides in bridging the digital gap to accelerate their digital transformations. Middle-income and lower-income countries face larger challenges of access, affordability, skills gaps, culture barriers and lack of digital trust.
In contrast to middle-income countries where the main barriers to digital inclusion are limited digital training, cultural factors, fears over Internet safety and the absence of proper legislation, the low-income and conflict countries face more basic challenges of Internet connectivity and affordability of devices as well as the added factor of the psychological effects of the misuse of digital technologies by warring parties.
Various regional efforts have been made to promote digital inclusion, and further initiatives should be focused on training, connectivity and legislation. The MENA region has yet to unleash its full potential, and a regional collaboration between digital government leaders across MENA to tackle digital inclusion barriers and bridge the digital gap between the high-income and low-income countries of the region would benefit the entire region and ensure it unlocks this potential.
Digital Gap:
Refers to the divide created in societies based on unequal access to digital technologies due to differences in skills, connectivity or digital literacy.
Digital Inclusion:
Refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use information technologies.
Digital Equity:
A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in modern societies and economies.
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