Countries

Equatorial Guinea is a country on the west coast of Central Africa, with an area of 28,000 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi). Formerly the colony of Spanish Guinea, its post-independence name evokes its location near both the Equator and the Gulf of Guinea. Equatorial Guinea consists of two parts, an insular and a mainland region. The insular region consists of the islands of Bioko (formerly Fernando Pó) in the Gulf of Guinea and Annobón, a small volcanic island which is the only part of the country south of the equator.

Indonesia’s commitment to e‑government shows tangible progress: in the United Nations E‑Government Development Index for 2024, it climbed from 77th to 64th out of 193 countries, positioning it among the very-high EGDI group within ASEAN and reflecting strengthened ICT infrastructure and digital literacy efforts. In cybersecurity, Indonesia is among the global leaders, achieving Tier 1 status with a perfect score in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024—placing it alongside regional peers like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On digital competitiveness, Indonesia ranked 45th globally, a modest improvement from the previous position of 51st. In network performance, the country ranked 58th globally in Opensignal’s Global Network Excellence Index (Q1 2025), placing it in the upper mid-tier internationally, with better-than-average 4G/5G availability at 21st, though consistency remains a relative challenge In innovation, the Global Innovation Index 2024 places Indonesia at 54th out of 133 countries, reflecting advancing but still developing research, output, and ecosystem capacity.

Indonesia shows strengths in digital governance, cybersecurity, and steadily improving competitiveness, with regional leadership in certain areas—but infrastructure consistency and innovation output remain areas for further advancement.

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The Gambia is actively advancing its digital landscape through strategic initiatives and infrastructure development. The National Digital Economy Master Plan (2023-2033) outlines a decade-long vision to transform the nation into a fully digital state, emphasizing resilient infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies. Complementing this, the National Digital Transformation Strategy (2023-2028) focuses on enhancing public services and economic growth via digital means. In telecommunications, Africell leads with 93% territorial coverage, offering 2G, 3G, and 4G services. The Gambia’s connection to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable system bolsters its international bandwidth. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including limited 4G coverage and the need for comprehensive e-commerce regulations.

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​Ghana has made significant strides in its digital transformation journey, underpinned by robust infrastructure and strategic initiatives. The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) leads policies impacting the communications sector, with a focus on developing a national ICT infrastructure to promote economic competitiveness. In November 2024, Ghana launched its Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, aiming to leverage digital technologies for economic growth, improved public services, and equitable access to digital resources. The Ghana Digital Acceleration Project (GDAP) further supports fast-tracked digitization by focusing on expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing digital skills, and promoting the adoption of digital services across various sectors. Through these concerted efforts, Ghana aims to position itself as a leading digital hub in Africa, leveraging technology to drive inclusive and sustainable development.​

​Ghana’s strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea positions it as a central trade hub in West Africa, providing access to over 400 million people through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This advantageous positioning is further enhanced by the presence of key submarine cable systems, such as the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) and the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which land in Accra. These cables are crucial for high-speed internet connectivity, supporting the country’s digital infrastructure and economic growth. ​

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As of January 2024, Laos had approximately 5.08 million internet users, representing 66.2% of the population. This marks an increase of 69,000 users (+1.4%) from the previous year. Internet access is more prevalent in urban areas, with rural regions facing limited connectivity due to infrastructure challenges. Mobile devices are the primary means of internet access.

The Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC) is the principal government body overseeing information and communication technology (ICT) policies, including internet governance. It is responsible for formulating strategies to advance digital infrastructure and services across the nation. Operating under the MTC, LANIC manages the country’s internet resources, including the administration of the ‘.la’ top-level domain. Established in 2010, LANIC plays a crucial role in implementing internet policies and ensuring the stability and security of internet services.

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Fiji is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,100 nautical miles (2,000 km; 1,300 mi) north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi).

Kazakhstan’s internet governance is driven mainly by national regulations designed to ensure both digital security and data sovereignty while supporting the growth of digital infrastructure. A key component of this governance is the country’s data localization requirement, which mandates that the personal data of Kazakhstani citizens be stored within the country’s borders. This regulation has an impact on the use of foreign cloud services, as companies operating in Kazakhstan must comply with these laws to store data locally.

The government’s Cyber Shield of Kazakhstan initiative plays a crucial role in securing critical information infrastructure, establishing stringent rules for data protection and regulating online activities. This initiative underscores Kazakhstan’s focus on creating a resilient and secure digital environment.

In the realm of e-government, Kazakhstan has made significant strides by developing a comprehensive digital government system, most notably through the eGov.kz platform, which allows citizens to access a wide range of public services online. This has not only streamlined bureaucratic processes but also facilitated greater accessibility for citizens.

On the international stage, Kazakhstan participates actively in discussions surrounding internet governance, aligning its national regulations with global standards while promoting cross-border cooperation.

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The Solomon Islands’ digital landscape is characterised by moderate connectivity with room for growth. As of January 2025, approximately 352,000 people (~42.5 % of the population) were internet users, marking a slow increase from ~336,000 (45 %) in early 2024. The country also had 547,000 mobile connections (~66 % of the population), with about 82 % of these capable of 3G/4G service.

Social media use is growing steadily: in January 2025 there were an estimated 174,000 social media user identities (~21 % of the population), with Facebook reaching 36.6 % of adults However, access remains highly urban-centric—over 70 % of people live in rural areas where connectivity is often limited by infrastructure gaps.

On the infrastructure front, the 2019 Coral Sea submarine cable significantly boosted international bandwidth, followed by the ongoing deployment of 161 rural 3G/4G towers (14 completed so far) under SINBIP. Satellite systems supplement connectivity in remote areas. Despite these efforts, the digital economy is still in a “start‑up” phase (IDES score ~42 %), with affordability, last‑mile access, and network coverage remaining critical challenges

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Institutionally, Kiribati has laid solid digital groundwork. With World Bank support, the Digital Government Project (2021–27) established a Digital Transformation Office, designed core systems like enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure, digital ID, e-signatures, and a national portal The National ICT Policy (2019), complemented by the 2020 Cybersecurity Strategy and recent data-protection legislation, underpins this modernisation push.

However, major infrastructure gaps persist. Only Kiritimati island is connected via undersea fibre (Southern Cross NEXT since 2022), while the rest depend heavily on expensive satellites, Kacific1 (Geo-HTS) and Starlink LEO services, leading to inconsistent speed and coverage. Looking ahead, the planned rollout of the East Micronesian undersea cable and expanded fixed networks aims to close the digital divide. The country’s focus now is on scaling access, improving affordability, and leveraging digital services for development and governance.

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Kyrgyzstan’s approach to internet governance is notably more open than its more Central Asian neighbours. Citizens can create online media without mandatory licensing, fostering a diverse media landscape. However, despite this openness, Kyrgyzstan faces emerging challenges as the government tightens internet regulations in response to political unrest and security concerns, raising issues around freedom of expression and access to information. The country struggles with a significant digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas, where connectivity is limited or nonexistent, deepening inequalities in access to digital services.

There is active engagement in promoting responsible AI, especially via civil society. The ISOC Kyrgyzstan chapter leads a ‘Responsible AI Governance’ program focused on transparency, accountability, interpretability, and AI ethics. Efforts include algorithm literacy training for civil society, media, NGOs, and government actors, alongside promoting AI ethics officers and cross-border collaboration.

Higher education institutions are also advancing AI adoption. For example, Adam University piloted a ‘cyber‑mentor’ for students that uses predictive algorithms to tailor academic guidance. Workshops and planning sessions involving ten leading universities and the Ministry of Education are shaping institutional AI action plans, though gaps remain in infrastructure, especially outside of Bishkek, and in faculty training.

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