The government’s dedication to digital transformation is exemplified by initiatives like the ‘Digital Bangladesh Vision,’ which seeks to integrate technology across various sectors to foster economic growth and improve public services. A key player in this endeavor is the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), which has established multiple data centers, including Tier III and Tier IV facilities, to ensure uninterrupted government services and enhance data management capabilities.
Projects such as the Development of National ICT Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government (Info-Sarker) have significantly expanded high-speed internet connectivity to district and upazila levels, bridging the digital divide and facilitating better access to information. Additionally, over 4,500 Digital Centers have been established nationwide, providing citizens with access to various digital services, including e-governance, education, and healthcare.
To strengthen international connectivity, Bangladesh has invested in submarine cable systems like SEA-ME-WE 4 and SEA-ME-WE 5, with landing stations in Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata, respectively. These investments have substantially increased the nation’s bandwidth capacity, supporting the growing demand for internet services and facilitating global communication.
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Central African Republic (CAR) is a participant in the Central African Backbone project, a fibre-optic internet backbone connecting countries in the Economic Community of Central African States. The project is significant as it aims to enhance regional connectivity and digital infrastructure, particularly given the law of internet penetration on CAR. However, political instability has slowed progress, particularly during the 2012–2013 period. The CAB project is supported by various international organizations, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and has attracted financing from the governments of the countries involved. The project is part of a broader effort by the African Union to improve connectivity across the continent under its Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030).
The construction of the fibre-optic network involves laying cables across national borders, linking landlocked countries in the region to international internet gateways, and ultimately to global internet exchanges. Some sections of the network are designed to be publicly owned, while private companies may also be involved in managing certain services.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is advancing its digital transformation through the Plan National du Numérique Horizon 2025, launched in 2019. This strategy prioritizes infrastructure expansion, digital services, and improved governance. National fiber backbone projects, such as the Central African Backbone and 2Africa subsea cable landing, have expanded connectivity, while data centers like Raxio DRC1 and IXPs in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma support growing internet traffic. Despite these developments, internet penetration remains low—around 27%—and access is uneven between urban and rural areas.
Cybersecurity and data protection frameworks have begun to take shape. The 2023 Digital Code defines personal data rights, mandates breach notifications, and outlines rules for cross-border transfers, though enforcement mechanisms remain limited. A national cybersecurity agency and data protection authority are legally established but not yet operational. Internet shutdowns during political unrest and outdated surveillance laws continue to pose risks to digital rights and service continuity.
E-commerce, AI, and emerging technologies are gradually gaining traction. Mobile money is expanding, though cash dominates online transactions. Startups in agriculture, logistics, and climate resilience are integrating AI tools, and the DRC has partnered with international initiatives to strengthen its innovation ecosystem. Challenges remain in regulation, logistics, and digital literacy, but ongoing investments and global cooperation are positioning the DRC for steady digital growth.
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On the demand side, China remains the largest online retail market globally: ¥15.42 trillion in online retail sales in 2023. The country also houses one of the biggest public cloud and data-centre footprints in Asia, underpinned by the national ‘Eastern Data, Western Computing’ program: by mid-2024, authorities cited ¥43.5 billion (US$6.1 billion) invested in eight computing hubs, with industry reporting ~1.95 million racks installed.
China has moved early on AI governance in emerging technologies while scaling domestic services: regulators reported 346 generative-AI services on file by 31 March 2025. These digital capabilities ride on extensive backbone networks and international links, and policy continues to prioritise compute build-out, even as officials work to improve utilisation across data-centre capacity added in recent years.
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Turkey’s internet governance is characterised by a complex regulatory framework that emphasises control and monitoring. The primary legislation governing internet regulation includes the Electronic Communications Law (ECL) and the internet Act, which are enforced by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA).In 2018, significant changes were made when the Turkish parliament granted the High Council for Broadcasting (RTÜK) the authority to regulate online video and streaming services, requiring these platforms to obtain licenses to operate in Türkiye.
The government established the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) in 2018 to coordinate digital services and enhance governance capabilities across various sectors. This office aims to integrate fragmented services into a central e-government platform while promoting data-driven decision-making.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina has been actively working on digital development. The country’s main objectives are in the electronic communications sector are increasing productivity and efficiency in business and improving public and e-government services. The internal organisation of the state and division of competencies between government levels within the country results in a big fragmentation of approach to resolving any issue and is the main contributor to reforms and governance processes being slow (or failing to succeed) – be it the rule of law, transparency, accountability, openness, ethics, conflicts of interest or the fight against corruption, stability and security (including cybersecurity) to name a few.
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Despite major challenges, Libya is actively advancing its digital landscape through strategic initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and other digital fields. On 17 May 2024, the Communications and Informatics Authority launched the National Artificial Intelligence Policy. This policy aims to promote digital innovation and sustainable development by establishing frameworks for AI adoption, ethical standards, and infrastructure development.
In recent years, Libya has introduced pivotal legislation to enhance cybersecurity. Law No. 5 of 2022 on Combating Cybercrime addresses various cyber offences, including hacking, identity theft, and cyber terrorism, aiming to deter malicious activities and hold offenders accountable.
Additionally, Law No. 6 of 2022 on Electronic Transactions governs the validity and regulation of electronic transactions, introducing data protection requirements for entities handling personal data, and emphasising transparency, consent, and accountability.
Despite these legislative efforts, Libya currently lacks a comprehensive data protection law and a dedicated data protection authority. Provisions within existing legislation, such as the Electronic Transactions Law, address aspects of data protection and privacy. Articles 12 and 13 of the Constitutional Declaration of 2011 guarantee citizens’ rights to private life and the confidentiality of communications.
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Belarus features a centrally managed digital infrastructure anchored by Beltelecom and the National Traffic Exchange, with the government controlling international peering via BY‑IX and backbone links to Russia, Europe, and neighbouring countries. Internet penetration is high—91.5% of the population was online in January 2025, with median fixed‑line speeds at ~75 Mbps and mobile speeds ~13 Mbps, supported by broad 4G coverage and ongoing plans for state‑run 5G rollout led by a unified operator.
The IT industry, especially the Hi‑Tech Park (HTP), is the primary driver of the digital economy. Under Decree No. 8 (2017), HTP companies enjoy tax incentives and are pioneering in blockchain, smart contracts, and AI. As of Q1 2025, HTP hosts ~1,000 resident firms employing ~59,000, with exports at $459 M (+7% y/y) and domestic IT sales topping Br 2 B (+24%). The ICT sector accounted for about 7.4% of GDP in 2021 but has eased to roughly 4–5% in recent years.
Digital governance is overseen by the Operations and Analysis Center (OAC) under presidential authority, which manages government cloud services (beCloud), cybersecurity, data peering, and DDoS protection. Though Belarus lacks a standalone digital law, recent decrees—such as No. 66 (2021) and No. 102 (2023)—expand e‑government, smart‑city deployment, and regulatory oversight. AI readiness and digital standards are also gaining traction, with Belarus integrating CIS-model AI law frameworks by 2040 .
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