Countries
Taiwan
Algeria
The Algerian government, through agencies like the Ministry of Communication and the Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications (ARPCE), oversees the internet infrastructure and its regulation. This includes licensing internet service providers (ISPs), overseeing digital infrastructure, and implementing regulations regarding online content and user activity. Algeria’s ISP market is primarily state-controlled, with Algérie Télécom as the main provider of internet services. The government’s significant involvement in telecommunications has both helped expand infrastructure across the country and given it control over access.
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United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, innovation is at the forefront, with a significant focus on artificial intelligence. The nation is building a strong digital infrastructure. From self-driving cars in Dubai to AI-enhanced healthcare, the UAE is combining its rich traditions with cutting-edge technology. This approach is setting a new standard for how AI can be integrated into society on a global scale.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays a key role in the global submarine cable network, with Fujairah serving as a major hub for numerous international cables. These include SEA-ME-WE 3, 4, and 5, which connect Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe; the Europe India Gateway (EIG), linking the UK to India; the Bay of Bengal Gateway (BBG), enhancing regional connectivity across South Asia; and AAE-1, which spans Asia, Africa, and Europe. Fujairah is also a landing point for TWA-1, connecting the UAE to Oman and Pakistan.
Etisalat’s Fujairah Cable Landing Station is a notable facility in this network, functioning as both a landing station and a carrier-neutral data centre. These systems position the UAE as one of the vital nodes for international internet connectivity, enabling high-speed data transmission between continents.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s digital infrastructure has seen significant investments, notably through the ‘Digital Silk Way’ project, which aims to establish a sustainable fibre-optic backbone along railway corridors, enhancing regional connectivity. Additionally, the ‘Online Azerbaijan’ initiative seeks to provide high-speed internet access nationwide, including remote areas, with substantial progress reported by late 2023. The implementation of a government cloud infrastructure (G-Cloud) has also centralised and secured state information systems, with over 110 state institutions migrating their systems by early 2024.
Azerbaijan’s data protection framework is primarily governed by the Law on Personal Data No. 998-IIIQ, enacted on 11 May 2010. This legislation delineates the principles for collecting, processing, and safeguarding personal data, aiming to protect individuals’ privacy rights. Processing personal data typically requires the explicit consent of the data subject, unless the data is publicly available or processing is mandated by law. Transferring personal data to third parties or across borders is permissible only with the data subject’s written consent, except in cases stipulated by law. While the law establishes responsibilities for data controllers and processors, Azerbaijan lacks a dedicated independent data protection authority, with oversight responsibilities distributed among various governmental bodies.
In March 2025, Azerbaijan approved its Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028, aiming to enhance economic competitiveness, foster a skilled AI workforce, and promote ethical AI usage. The strategy emphasises developing high-performance computing infrastructure, establishing a legal framework aligned with international standards, and promoting AI across sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and energy. To support this strategy, institutions such as the Artificial Intelligence Lab and the AI Academy have been established, focusing on research, development, and training in the AI domain.
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Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is actively engaging with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance various sectors, including education, agriculture, and finance. In October 2024, the country hosted the inaugural AI Global South Summit, focusing on leveraging AI for sustainable development. Additionally, educational initiatives are underway to incorporate AI into teaching methodologies, preparing students for a technology-driven future.
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Syria
The ongoing conflict in Syria continues to disrupt its telecommunications services. Frequent internet blackouts and reduced mobile network coverage persist due to significant damage to infrastructure from the war. Despite some recent improvements, a substantial portion of the population remains offline. As of early 2024, approximately 15.28 million Syrians, or 64.2% of the population, did not use or have access to the internet.
The country’s socio-political environment has significantly hindered Syria’s involvement in developing a digital ecosystem. The ongoing conflict and political instability have impeded the establishment of coherent and effective digital policies. This situation limits the country’s ability to harness digital technologies for economic and social development, leaving it behind in the global digital transformation.
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Bahrain
The Kingdom’s proactive digital policies and infrastructure have positioned it as a leading digital economy in the Middle East, attracting international ICT companies and fostering innovation across multiple sectors. Looking ahead, Bahrain’s digital economy is poised for further growth, fueled by emerging trends such as the expansion of eCommerce, the integration of artificial intelligence, and the increasing prominence of FinTech.
In alignment with its Economic Vision 2030, Bahrain has implemented the Digital Government Strategy, focusing on enhancing public services through digital channels and promoting transparency via open data initiatives. These efforts have cultivated a business-friendly environment, attracting foreign investment and establishing Bahrain as a centre for digital innovation.
A significant milestone in Bahrain’s digital advancement is the investment exceeding USD 250 million in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure announced by Beyon in May 2023. This investment aims to accelerate Bahrain’s digital transformation and stimulate the growth of its digital economy.
Since 2007, Bahrain has prioritized digital transformation in the public sector, launching over 200 electronic services accessible through various channels, including the National Portal and mobile applications. The eGovernment Strategy has facilitated the reengineering of the business process to improve citizens’ quality of life.
Bahrain has been a pioneer in cloud adoption within the GCC region, implementing a Cloud-First Policy to enhance government efficiency and service delivery. Complementing this, the Personal Data Protection Law establishes conditions for processing, storing, and transferring personal data, ensuring privacy and security.
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Australia
Australia advocates for an open, free, secure, and interoperable internet, managed through a multistakeholder approach involving governments, the private sector, the technical community, academia, and civil society. This collaborative model ensures that shared principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures are applied to internet governance. The .au country code top-level domain is administered by the non-profit organization auDA (.au Domain Administration), which plays a crucial role in managing Australia’s internet domain space.
The Australian Government actively engages with international bodies responsible for internet management, such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which coordinates global policy for the Domain Name System (DNS) and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
In October 2024, the Australian Government outlined its vision for internet governance, emphasizing the protection of the internet’s core technical infrastructure, the promotion of multi-stakeholder governance, engagement with the Australian stakeholder community, and the advancement of regional interests in the Asia-Pacific.
Additionally, the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) serves as a national platform for discussions on internet governance and public policy issues, bringing together a diverse community of stakeholders to facilitate dialogue on the internet’s future in Australia.
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Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is steadily advancing in digital transformation, with efforts focused on expanding infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering innovation. The country has improved internet connectivity through the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable and is working on last-mile connectivity to ensure broader access. Telecommunications operators, including Orange and Africell, have begun 5G trials, marking a step toward next-generation digital services.
The government has prioritised digital governance through the National Digital Development Strategy, emphasising infrastructure expansion, digital skills, and cybersecurity. Efforts to regulate the digital space include the Cybersecurity and Crime Act of 2021, which addresses online threats, and ongoing developments in data protection laws to enhance privacy and trust in digital services.
AI adoption is gaining momentum, particularly in healthcare and education, with initiatives like AISHA for medical support and Teacher.AI to assist educators. Blockchain technology has been applied in financial inclusion through the Kiva Protocol, though cryptocurrency adoption remains limited due to the lack of a clear regulatory framework.
E-commerce is growing, supported by mobile money services and the Electronic Transactions Act, though challenges such as infrastructure gaps and limited digital literacy persist. The government has also embarked on large-scale projects, including the Smart Sierra Leone initiative and a planned Tech City, aimed at fostering digital innovation and attracting investment.