Countries

Mali’s internet governance is shaped by its efforts to expand access, promote cybersecurity, and ensure digital inclusion. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Communication plays a key role in managing the country’s digital policies, which focus on improving internet access, particularly in rural areas where connectivity remains limited. A significant part of the strategy is to bridge the urban-rural digital divide by increasing infrastructure investments.

Additionally, Mali is working to strengthen its cybersecurity framework, following the broader regional approach of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This includes combating cybercrime and improving cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and institutions from digital threats. ECOWAS has been instrumental in promoting a unified regional strategy for cybersecurity, and Mali has aligned itself with these goals to secure its digital ecosystem​

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Mauritania is connected to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable, a 17,000-kilometer undersea network linking 24 countries, including France, Portugal, and several West African nations, extending down to South Africa. This connection, established through a landing station in Nouakchott, has significantly enhanced Mauritania’s digital infrastructure by providing direct access to high-speed international bandwidth.

Initially designed with a capacity of 5.12 terabits per second (Tbps) using 40 Gbps Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology, the system’s design capacity was later increased to 20 Tbps. The cable has multiple landing stations, including Penmarch in France, Carcavelos in Portugal, and various locations along the African coast, such as Dakar in Senegal and Lagos in Nigeria. The system is managed by a consortium of 20 members, including major telecommunications operators and countries, and the ACE project requires a total investment of $700 million.

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Qatar’s internet governance is structured to support its digital transformation and economic diversification goals. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) leads initiatives like the Qatar Digital Government Strategy, with the Council of Ministers holding ultimate responsibility. The Digital Government Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Transport and Communications, oversees implementation, ensuring coordinated efforts across government entities.

Regarding digital submarine cables, Qatar is a significant hub in regional connectivity. The country is connected to several major submarine cable systems, including:

• Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1): A 25,000 km submarine cable system connecting Southeast Asia to Europe across Egypt, with a design capacity of 100 Tbit/s.
• Gulf Bridge International (GBI): The Middle East’s first privately owned submarine cable system linking countries bordering the Persian Gulf and extending to Europe, Africa, and Asia. GBI’s network spans more than 40,000 km, offering scalable bandwidth options up to 100G.
• Qatar-UAE Submarine Cable System: A 400 km submarine cable system connecting Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, operational since December 2004.

These submarine cables are crucial for Qatar’s international connectivity, supporting the country’s digital economy and its role as a regional digital hub.

In October 2024, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) announced plans to merge the telecommunications operations of Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN) and Gulf Bridge International (GBI). This strategic move aims to establish a leading national entity in digital and AI infrastructure.

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New Zealand is a digitally advanced nation with a high internet penetration rate of 95.7% as of early 2024. The government has implemented comprehensive strategies to enhance digital infrastructure, including the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) program and the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI), aiming to provide high-speed internet access across urban and rural areas. In the realm of cybersecurity, the Privacy Act 2020 governs data protection, outlining principles for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. The country is also investing in emerging technologies, with initiatives like the Quantum Technologies Research Programme supporting advancements in quantum computing and communication. To attract global talent, New Zealand has relaxed visa regulations, allowing digital nomads to work remotely within the country for up to 90 days without incurring local taxes. These efforts reflect New Zealand’s commitment to fostering a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital environment.

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​Mauritius’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean has positioned it as one of the pivotal hubs for submarine communication cables, enhancing its digital connectivity and economic prospects. The island nation serves as a landing point for several key submarine cable systems, including the South Africa Far East (SAFE) cable, the Lower Indian Ocean Network (LION), and the Mauritius and Rodrigues Submarine Cable System (MARS). The SAFE cable, operational since 2002, connects South Africa to Malaysia with landing points in Mauritius and Réunion, facilitating high-speed digital links between Africa and Asia. The LION cable, inaugurated in 2009, links Madagascar, Réunion, and Mauritius, providing a design capacity of 1.28 terabits per second and supporting the region’s digital economy. In 2019, the MARS cable further enhanced connectivity by linking Mauritius to Rodrigues, significantly increasing bandwidth and reducing reliance on satellite connections.

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Zimbabwe is actively pursuing digital transformation across various sectors to enhance economic growth and service delivery. The country has made notable progress in mobile connectivity, with a penetration rate exceeding 96% and internet usage reaching approximately 78.55% as of 2024. The widespread adoption of mobile money services, particularly EcoCash, has significantly improved financial inclusion, with millions of users conducting transactions via mobile platforms.

The government has implemented policies such as the National ICT Policy 2022–2027 and the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan to guide digital initiatives. These frameworks emphasize infrastructure development, digital skills enhancement, and innovation promotion. In higher education, efforts are underway to integrate digital technologies, although challenges like inadequate infrastructure and limited funding persist.

In cybersecurity, Zimbabwe enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act in 2021, establishing a legal framework to safeguard personal data and combat cybercrime. The government is finalizing a National Cybersecurity Strategy to further strengthen digital security measures.

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is also gaining momentum, with applications in public safety, banking, and agriculture. For instance, Bulawayo implemented an AI-driven security system in 2024 to enhance law enforcement capabilities.

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Madagascar’s digital transformation is gradually taking shape through a combination of institutional reform, expanding infrastructure, and targeted international partnerships. Since 2019, the country has developed a structured approach to digital governance with the establishment of the Digital Governance Unit (DGU) and the role of a Chief Digital Officer, tasked with modernizing public services and guiding digital policy. Supported by the World Bank and public-sector consultancies, the government has introduced agile and user-centred service delivery models, combining online platforms, SMS, call centres, and in-person access points. Key examples include the Orinasa platform for business registration, which has drastically reduced application times, and the deployment of vaccination certificates through digital channels. A flagship initiative, the PRODIGY programme, is rolling out a nationwide biometric digital identity system aimed at achieving universal coverage and enabling interoperability across public services.

The country’s internet connectivity has significantly improved in recent years. Madagascar is now connected to four submarine cable systems—EASSy, LION/LION2, METISS, and 2Africa. These cables land at different coastal cities and link into a 10,000 km domestic fibre network managed primarily by Telma. The arrival of the 2Africa cable in Mahajanga in 2023 has notably increased bandwidth capacity and resilience. In rural areas, the government is experimenting with innovative infrastructure models such as ICT villages powered by solar energy, which provide access to telemedicine, e-learning, and broadband internet in underserved regions. While core connectivity is improving, last-mile coverage remains a challenge, particularly in remote communities.

Despite these infrastructural advances, Madagascar lacks a dedicated national cybersecurity strategy. The legal framework for cybercrime is based on Law No. 2014‑006, which criminalizes a broad range of offences including illegal access, system interference, data theft, and online fraud. This was later amended by Law No. 2016‑031, which clarified and expanded the original provisions. However, enforcement remains weak due to the absence of procedural regulations, a national computer emergency response team (CIRT), and limited institutional capacity. The country also passed a data protection law in 2014, but the designated authority, CMIL, has never been operationalized, and implementation regulations have not been issued. While Madagascar ratified the African Union’s Malabo Convention in 2024, which requires the creation of national cybersecurity frameworks, progress in this area has been slow.

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Rwanda is a fast-growing digital economy, having achieved high visibility due to its digital achievements. In the 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, Rwanda holds the eighth position among startup ecosystems in the Middle East and Africa, securing the fourth spot in Africa overall. International aspects are stressed in Rwanda’s ICT Hub Strategy, which calls for partnerships with global organisations/institutions to develop the tech-based solutions needed to address socioeconomic challenges in areas such as education, health, and agriculture.

The concept of data sovereignty has been at the core of the government’s National Data Revolution Policy, which requires that national data be hosted locally: ‘Rwanda shall retain exclusive sovereign rights on her national data with control and power over its own data.’ However, the policy mentions the importance of collaborating with regional and international stakeholders in building a data industry, and notes that the government will work on attracting investors in the data industry. Data protection regulations adopt the extraterritorial approach of the EU’s GDPR. This means that entities outside of the country that handle citizens’ data are subject to the law. Rwanda intends to develop a national AI policy focused on the ethical use of AI in support of social and economic development.

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