Hungary’s strongest digital headline is connectivity. Gigabit-capable fixed broadband already reaches most households (around 84% in 2023). FTTP is also widely deployed, placing Hungary well above the EU average and among Central Europe’s leaders for fibre reach. These figures come from the European Commission’s annual Broadband Coverage in Europe study and datasets for the 2023 reference year.
On payments and transaction infrastructure, Hungary is an early mover: nationwide instant account-to-account payments went live on 2 March 2020, operating 24/7/365 and designed as a mandatory rail for domestic credit transfers (with rules issued by the central bank). The launch places Hungary among the first countries globally to implement an always-on instant payment system at a national scale, with the Magyar Nemzeti Bank documenting the regime and its legal underpinnings.
Regionally, Budapest also punches above its weight as a peering hub. The Budapest Internet Exchange (BIX) lists more than 130 networks and reports >1.4 Tb/s peak public traffic, anchoring diverse paths to neighbouring capitals and major European hubs, an important complement to Hungary’s high fixed-line coverage and improving mobile footprint tracked in the regulator’s annual State of the Open Internet report.
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Brunei Darussalam is actively advancing its digital landscape, guided by the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025. This strategic plan aims to transform the nation into a Smart Nation, focusing on a vibrant and sustainable economy, a digitally conducive ecosystem, and a future-ready society. Key initiatives include the expansion of fibre-optic networks, deployment of 5G technology, and the promotion of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the internet of things. The government has also established the Brunei Innovation Lab to foster innovation and support tech startups. In the realm of cybersecurity, the enactment of the Cybersecurity Act (Chapter 272) in 2024 underscores the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its digital infrastructure. Collectively, these efforts position Brunei as a proactive participant in the global digital economy, striving to enhance the quality of life for its citizens through technological advancement.
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Several laws form the foundation of internet governance in Bulgaria. The Electronic Communications Act (ECA) of 2007 (as amended) is the primary law regulating telecommunications and internet services. It aligns with EU telecom rules and establishes the legal framework for electronic communications networks and services. Oversight of the telecom sector (including internet service providers, or ISPs) is vested in the independent Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), Bulgaria’s national regulatory authority. The CRC oversees licensing/registration of providers and enforces sector regulations; as of recent years, hundreds of ISPs operate under its supervision (845 active providers in 2022). Complementing the ECA is the Electronic Commerce Act, which implemented EU e-commerce rules (liability of online intermediaries, e-contracts, etc.), now largely superseded by newer EU regulations.
Bulgaria is party to key international agreements that shape internet governance norms. It was an early signatory of the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (one of the first international treaties on internet crime) , and it actively participates in the Convention’s Committee meetings to update protocols for electronic evidence. In the Council of Europe context, Bulgaria also engages in broader digital policy initiatives (such as the development of guidelines on AI and human rights, and the ongoing work on a potential treaty on AI). Moreover, Bulgaria engages with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), having joined ITU conventions and contributed to discussions on internet connectivity and telecom standards. The country supports the multistakeholder model of internet governance, wherein governments, private sector, technical community, and civil society share dialogue. This stance was evident during the UN’s WSIS+10 review, where Bulgaria backed the continued involvement of all stakeholders in governing the internet.
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Germany’s digital profile is anchored by core internet infrastructure that is among Europe’s strongest. Frankfurt’s DE-CIX, one of the world’s leading internet exchanges, set a new global peering record of 25 Tb/s in April 2025, underscoring Germany’s role as a continental traffic hub. Frankfurt’s data-centre market also crossed a structural milestone in Q2 2025, exceeding 1 GW of operational colocation supply, only the second European city to do so, reflecting deep interconnection and cloud capacity.
On connectivity, Germany is close to universal 5G household coverage. The European Commission’s 2024 Digital Decade country report cites 98.1% 5G coverage of households, placing Germany near the top of the EU on this metric (while acknowledging remaining FTTP gaps).
In high-performance computing, Germany operates JUPITER, Europe’s first exascale supercomputer, inaugurated on 5 September 2025 at Jülich. This positions the country at the forefront of European computing for AI training and large-scale simulation.
Commercially, Germany is one of Europe’s largest e-commerce markets by revenue. After two weak years, online retail grew 1.1% to €80.6 bn in 2024, with the national trade association forecasting about €92.4 bn in 2025, indicating a return to steady expansion at scale.
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Czechia’s digital profile is anchored by dense interconnection and steady last-mile upgrades, Prague’s NIX.CZ ranks among Europe’s larger neutral IXPs (209 members; 2023 peak >2.8 Tb/s), keeping a large share of national traffic local and low-latency. The National Plan for Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCN) guides gigabit build-outs through 31 December 2027, while the Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ) serves as the country’s Digital Services Coordinator for the EU DSA.
On services and computing, the state rolled out eDoklady, a mobile digital-ID app, starting 20 January 2024 to streamline high-assurance login and in-person checks. For cloud, most workloads combine domestic colocation with nearby hyperscale regions, strengthened by the Azure ‘Austria East’ launch (three availability zones in Vienna, Aug 2025). Research and AI training lean on IT4Innovations’ KarolinaEuroHPC supercomputer in Ostrava.
2Governance is comparatively mature and still tightening. The National AI Strategy 2030 (NAIS) was approved in 2024, and a new Cybersecurity Act transposing NIS2 is slated to take effect on 1 November 2025, expanding obligations for essential and important entities. Together with the DSA setup and the VHCN plan, these measures place Czechia near the regional frontier on practical enablers: interconnection density, close-by cloud regions, national digital ID, and an up-to-date cyber/legal framework.
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The Senegalese government has developed various strategies to kick-start digital transformation in the public sector, aiming to extend the benefits of digitalization to rural and disadvantaged population groups. Despite these efforts, the pace of digitalization in Senegal remains slow, and the country’s digital strategy lacks green approaches for the simultaneous promotion of digital transformation and sustainability, known as the ‘twin transition’.
To address these challenges, the Digital Transformation Center Senegal has been established to ensure sustainable and human-centered development, enabling self-determined digital transformation. The center focuses on improving access to online public services, developing interoperable and inclusive digital administrative services, and bridging the digital skills divide by supporting inclusive digital offerings and providing training, particularly for women in rural areas.
In terms of internet connectivity, as of 2024, approximately 60% of the population had access to the internet, with a significant portion utilising mobile broadband services. However, challenges such as the high cost of mobile broadband subscriptions persist, limiting broader access.
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At the core of Samoa’s digital transformation is the Digital Transformation Strategy 2023–2030, supported by the World Bank, which outlines a comprehensive roadmap to enhance broadband access, promote e-government services, and build climate-resilient infrastructure. The strategy complements the ICT Sector Plan 2022–2027, which prioritises infrastructure upgrades, digital inclusion programs, and the establishment of a national Internet Exchange Point to reduce latency and improve the efficiency of internet services. These efforts are reinforced by the Digitally Connected and Resilient Samoa Project, designed to expand access to high-quality digital services and secure connectivity across the country.
Samoa’s legal and regulatory framework for data protection is anchored by the Privacy Act 2013, supported by the Data Protection Guidelines 2020, the Crimes Act 2013, and recent legislation such as the National Digital Identification Act 2024. These instruments collectively safeguard citizens’ rights to privacy and regulate how personal data is managed, shared, and stored. Telecommunications providers are also bound by confidentiality obligations under the Telecommunications Act 2005. While there is no dedicated data protection authority, multiple institutions are tasked with enforcement and compliance oversight.
Cybersecurity is another priority area, reflected in Samoa’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (2016–2021), which laid the foundation for developing secure infrastructure and aligning national laws with international standards. The Samoa Computer Emergency Response Team (SamCERT), established in 2019, plays a central role in detecting, responding to, and preventing cyber incidents.
Samoa’s digital infrastructure is underpinned by two key submarine cable systems: the Tui-Samoa Cable and the Manatua One Polynesia Fibre Cable. These cables provide high-speed international connectivity and are managed by the Samoa Submarine Cable Company (SSCC), which also participates in regional infrastructure projects such as the planned Central Pacific Cable and Google’s Bulikula and Halaihai subsea cables.
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São Tomé and Príncipe, an archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, has been actively advancing its digital landscape to foster economic growth and improve public services. As of January 2024, the country reported an internet penetration rate of 57%, with approximately 133,400 users, and about 63,100 social media users, accounting for 26.9% of the population.
The government has initiated the ‘Digital São Tomé and Príncipe Project,’ supported by the World Bank, aiming to enhance telecommunications services and strengthen data governance. Additionally, the ‘National Strategy for Digital Governance’ seeks to align public policies across sectors to improve digital public services. Furthermore, the government is formulating a National Cybersecurity Strategy and Action Plan to safeguard its digital infrastructure and data.
In education, partnerships with organisations like UNICEF have led to the development of digital learning platforms, such as the ‘Learning Passport,’ integrating technology into classrooms and promoting digital literacy among students.
To bolster connectivity, the country connected to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable in 2012, significantly enhancing internet access and reducing costs.
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Follow Sao Tome and Principe’s digital submarine cables
Egypt’s digital profile reflects rapid transformation driven by infrastructure investment, regulatory modernisation, and strategic regional positioning. The country hosts over 10 submarine cable landing stations and carries nearly 30% of global internet traffic through its Mediterranean-Red Sea corridor, making it one of the most critical internet transit hubs worldwide. With 5G rollout underway and broadband speed improvements, the ICT sector grew by 14.4% in 2023–24, contributing over 5% to GDP—placing Egypt among the fastest-growing digital economies in Africa and the Arab world.
Digital transformation is anchored in the ‘Digital Egypt’ initiative and ICT 2030 strategy, which have connected more than 33,000 public institutions and digitised essential services through a national e‑government platform. The country has enacted comprehensive legislation, including the Personal Data Protection Law (2020) and the Cybercrime Law (2018), aligning with global norms. Notably, Egypt has become a leader in fintech growth in emerging markets, with services like InstaPay and Meeza accelerating financial inclusion and mobile wallet adoption across socioeconomic segments.
Emerging technologies are gaining traction through national AI and blockchain strategies, deep‑tech venture studios, and talent pipelines like the Digital Egypt Builders program. Egypt ranks among global leaders in AI workforce reskilling, with 85% of employers upskilling in generative AI and automation. With rising tech startup activity, expanding digital infrastructure, and a strong regional role in data transit, Egypt is positioning itself as a digital innovation hub for Africa and the Middle East.
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