Internet penetration in Eritrea remains low, with approximately 20.0% of the population, or about 714,000 individuals, using the internet as of January 2025. This figure reflects a slight increase from the previous year, indicating slow but steady growth in internet adoption. The country’s connectivity is primarily reliant on satellite links and limited terrestrial connections through neighbouring countries, as Eritrea lacks a submarine cable landing station. This dependence results in higher latency, lower bandwidth, and increased costs, hindering the country’s digital development and access to reliable internet services.
Eritrea’s digital infrastructure is underdeveloped, with minimal investment in expanding network coverage. The state-owned telecommunications company, EriTel, is the sole provider of internet services, which may limit competition and innovation. Access to SIM cards and internet services often requires government approval, creating barriers for widespread adoption. Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to improve digital infrastructure. The African Development Bank Group has signed an agreement with Eritrea for a $19.5 million grant to fund the Desert to Power Eritrea 12MW Mini Grid Project, aiming to enhance energy access, which is crucial for powering digital technologies.
Eritrea currently lacks a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy and a dedicated cybersecurity authority. However, the country is a participant in the Horn of Africa Digital Governance and Cybersecurity Initiative, which aims to enhance cybersecurity policies and awareness across member states. Despite the absence of formal structures, Eritrea has taken some steps to address cybersecurity concerns. In May 2024, the Eritrean government reported thwarting a significant cyberattack targeting its internet infrastructure during Independence Day celebrations.
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Guatemala’s digital profile reflects gradual progress, shaped by a mix of infrastructure expansion, policy initiatives, and private sector involvement. The country is connected to major international networks through submarine cables such as AMX-1 and Mistral, with the new AMX3/Tikal system expected to significantly boost capacity and resilience. The establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP.GT) has improved speed and reduced costs by keeping domestic traffic local. These developments position Guatemala as a key connectivity hub in Central America, giving it regional strength in submarine cable access and redundancy compared to some neighbouring states.
Policy frameworks are advancing, though unevenly. The Digital Government Plan 2021–2026 and recent education-focused digital transformation policies integrate artificial intelligence and digital literacy into national development. At the same time, the government has moved toward simplification of administrative processes, open government commitments, and pilot AI initiatives in education and environmental monitoring. However, Guatemala remains without a dedicated data protection law and its 2018 National Cybersecurity Strategy has seen slow implementation, leaving critical gaps despite ongoing legislative efforts such as Initiative 6347 on cybersecurity.
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Mexico has developed a solid digital governance framework, though with institutional shifts in recent years. Internet access is recognised as a constitutional right, and policies such as the National Digital Strategy (2021–2024) and the creation of the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (2024) set the direction for digital inclusion, e-government, and regulatory reform. While Mexico does not yet have a standalone cybersecurity or AI law, multiple legislative proposals are under discussion, and oversight functions for data protection have recently been restructured. These changes reflect a rapidly evolving governance landscape with ongoing debates over independence, transparency, and regulatory balance.
In terms of infrastructure, Mexico ranks strongly in Latin America, with more than half of fixed broadband lines delivered via fibre-optic connections and a national wholesale 4G network (“Red Compartida”) designed to expand coverage. International connectivity is supported by several major submarine cable systems such as AMX-1 and MAYA-1, with new projects like MANTA and Tikal extensions strengthening redundancy and capacity. These assets, together with a growing data centre sector and high mobile penetration, place Mexico among the region’s leaders in cross-border digital connectivity and backbone capacity.
Economically, Mexico is one of the largest e-commerce markets in Latin America, valued at nearly US$40–47 billion in 2024, with forecasts of rapid growth over the next decade. The country is also emerging as a key AI hub: it hosts hundreds of startups, major foreign investments in cloud and AI infrastructure, and plans for a national large language model.
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Georgia has been actively working towards fostering a digital economy, recognising its potential to drive economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. The government has made significant policy efforts to create an environment conducive to private sector development and digitalisation. The country’s digital economy is characterised by a well-developed connectivity infrastructure, with 100% population coverage by at least 4G mobile networks and 62% of households having a computer at home. However, there are still gaps in urban-rural connectivity and in connecting the last mile, with the lack of affordable and quality broadband internet service putting rural areas at a competitive disadvantage.
Data protection and privacy have also taken a front seat in Georgia’s digital development. In 2023, the Parliament adopted a new Law on Personal Data Protection, which came into force in March 2024. This legislation aligns Georgia’s regulatory standards more closely with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), introducing a robust set of rights for individuals and obligations for data controllers and processors. It mandates data breach reporting, appointing Data Protection Officers in both public and private sectors, and privacy-by-design principles in digital services. The Personal Data Protection Service (PDPS), an independent supervisory authority, is tasked with enforcement, oversight, and public awareness-raising.
In the cybersecurity domain, Georgia has developed an advanced and multi-layered framework to defend against a rising tide of cyber threats. The National Cybersecurity Strategy 2021–2024, coordinated by the National Security Council, outlines strategic goals such as strengthening cyber resilience, building national capabilities, developing a cyber-aware culture, and fostering international partnerships. The Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Defence plays a key role in ensuring the security of defense infrastructure and building sector-specific expertise. Alongside national institutions, Georgia collaborates with NATO, the EU, and other international bodies to align its defensive capabilities with global standards.
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Jordan’s digital profile reflects a country in steady transformation, guided by a clear strategic vision and a growing investment in technology-driven governance. Through policies such as the National Digital Transformation Strategy, the Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2023–2027), and the Blockchain Technology Policy (2025), Jordan is laying the foundation for a modern digital economy.
Internet penetration now exceeds 90%, with improvements in broadband infrastructure, the introduction of 5G, and the expansion of smart services across sectors. The capital, Amman, recognised as the 2025 Arab Digital Capital, symbolises the country’s commitment to innovation and digital urban development.
The e-commerce sector is expanding rapidly, supported by increasing mobile and digital payment adoption, though cash remains dominant. Public platforms like the Sanad app are enabling secure digital identity services, streamlining citizen access to government offerings.
In the realm of cybersecurity, Jordan has launched a comprehensive national strategy and established the National Cyber Security Centre, resulting in a significant leap in global rankings. Meanwhile, the Personal Data Protection Law (2023) marks an important step toward safeguarding privacy and personal data, though concerns remain regarding the implications of the Cybercrime Law on digital rights.
Jordan’s embrace of emerging technologies—including blockchain, IoT, and AI—is supported by institutional frameworks and innovation programs, placing the country among the region’s forward-looking digital actors. While challenges persist, particularly around regulatory balance and inclusion, Jordan’s trajectory signals a deliberate and structured approach to digital transformation.
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India’s past, present, and future are closely intertwined with digital and AI developments. Origins of the digital era based on ‘0’ and ‘1’ could be traced back to the invention of the number ‘0’ or Shunya in Sanscrit. Number ‘zero’ travelled from India via the Arab world to Renaissance Italy, arriving at modernity and our era.
India’s digital landscape is one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by large-scale public infrastructure, strategic investments, and rapid adoption across sectors. The country’s flagship Digital India programme and BharatNet have expanded broadband access to rural areas, while initiatives like MeghRaj (government cloud) and India Stack (DPI) enable digital identity (Aadhaar), payments (UPI), and consent-based data sharing at population scale. India’s public cloud market is projected to reach USD 24.2 billion by 2028, and the country is emerging as a global data hub with major hyperscaler investments (e.g., AWS, Microsoft) and ~1,800 MW of data center capacity expected by 2026.
India is among the global leaders in digital payments, with UPI recording over 10 billion monthly transactions, and in digital public infrastructure, influencing developing economies globally. The country is also a key submarine cable landing point, with 15+ active systems and upcoming links (IAX, IEX) poised to quadruple its international bandwidth. With the launch of the IndiaAI Mission, a large-scale GPU compute facility, and a growing GenAI startup ecosystem, India is positioning itself as a major AI innovation hub. The government’s regulatory efforts—such as the DPDP Act (2023), cybersecurity audits via CERT-In, and sector-specific AI guidelines—are gradually shaping a governance framework for its expanding digital footprint.
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San Marino is among the most digitally connected nations in Europe, largely due to its compact geography enabling near-universal coverage. Fixed broadband coverage is virtually nationwide, with over 50% of users already connected via fibre, and a committed phase-out of copper (DSL) by 2027. Significantly, San Marino was the first country in Europe to achieve full 5G coverage, reaching roughly 99% of its territory by late 2018. These developments enable broadband speeds that slightly exceed regional averages—the average fixed internet speed is around 96.8 Mbps, outperforming Italy’s ~91.8 Mbps and positioning San Marino ahead of many EU countries.
On e‑government, San Marino registers an E‑Government Development Index (EGDI) score of approximately 0.655, placing it moderately high in global comparisons – though not among the very top performers. The country also features a Digital Identity Readiness Score of 54/100, placing it in the medium category for readiness and capability in digital identity systems.
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Grenada has been progressively enhancing its digital infrastructure to support economic growth and improve public services. The nation’s connectivity is bolstered by submarine fibre optic cables, notably the Eastern Caribbean Fibre System (ECFS) and the Southern Caribbean Fibre (SCF). The ECFS is a 1,730 km network interconnecting 14 eastern Caribbean islands, while the SCF is an underwater fibre optics ring network connecting several Caribbean nations. These cables are integral to Grenada’s telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating internet services and international communications. Despite these advancements, challenges such as limited digital infrastructure in rural areas and logistical constraints persist.
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Honduras is working to strengthen its digital transformation through frameworks such as the National Digital Government Plan 2023–2026 and the National Policy of Digital Republic 2022–2025, introduced under President Xiomara Castro. The country has historically lagged in international digital rankings but shows signs of progress. In the UN E-Government Development Index (2024), Honduras advanced to 142nd place out of 193 countries, an improvement from 155th in 2022, although it remains behind regional peers in areas such as online services and interoperability.
In terms of open data, Honduras performs slightly above the regional average. According to the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024, the country ranks 119th globally with a score of 50, reflecting modest advances in data availability and accessibility compared to earlier assessments. This builds on its previous performance in the Open Data Index, where Honduras had already scored above the SICA regional average. The government is seeking to consolidate this relative strength through broader publication of open datasets across public institutions.
Beyond governance and open data, Honduras has limited digital infrastructure compared to other Central American states that serve as regional submarine cable hubs. Instead, the government is prioritising institutional modernisation, digital identity, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity. The country is currently ranked 114th out of 133 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2024, underlining structural challenges in innovation capacity.
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