Countries

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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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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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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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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The United Arab Emirates has nearly universal connectivity, with approximately 99% of the population online as of 2024. It ranks 1st in the world for mobile internet speed and 4th for fixed broadband in October 2025, reflecting extensive fibre and 5G deployment. In the 2024 UN E-Government Survey, it is 11th worldwide in the overall E-Government Development Index and scores the maximum value in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index.

In broader digital performance, the UAE placed 12th globally in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023, and 11th in several 2024 summaries, indicating strong capabilities in digital technology adoption and readiness. It also tops Oxford Insights’ Government AI Readiness Index 2024, and performs well in GovTech and digital government service-delivery benchmarks.

At the city level, Abu Dhabi is ranked 5th in the world in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, and the country is among those with the highest reported AI use (about 59% of the population using AI tools, in Microsoft’s 2025 diffusion report). Combined with its role as a regional data centre and submarine cable hub, this positions the UAE as one of the leading digital economies in the Arab region.

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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.

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The Bahamas boasts a high level of digital access: in early 2025, internet penetration reached 94.8%, with 381,000 users, and mobile broadband coverage stood at 99% of the population. The country’s fixed internet speeds average around 74 Mbps, up from 59 Mbps the previous year. Telecom operators BTC and Aliv lead broadband and LTE services nationwide, supported by submarine fibre links and regional disaster-connectivity initiatives such as Starlink.

Under the IDB‑supported digital transformation, the Bahamas is centralising e‑government services through the DTU’s MyGateway portal, digitising hundreds of services and modernising public-sector ICT with data centres and disaster recovery systems. The Sand Dollar CBDC, launched in 2020 as the world’s first national digital currency, has been progressively scaled and integrated into the broader financial system to promote inclusivity and secure digital payments.

With a digitally connected population, roughly 62% are active social media users across platforms, and over 87% have mobile connections. ICT services still carry a premium; fixed broadband is about 113% more expensive than OECD averages, while mobile data costs are 24% higher, pointing to untapped opportunities in affordability and rural expansion. Ongoing investment in fibre backbone resilience, PPPs, and digital inclusion initiatives aims to complete the digital ecosystem and further enhance economic impact

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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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