South Korea is a global leader in digital technology and innovation, featuring a highly connected population and a thriving digital ecosystem. The country boasts a 95% smartphone ownership rate and high-speed 5G connectivity, alongside a blend of homegrown and international digital platforms. South Koreans are avid users of digital technologies, with long commute times driving high engagement with online content and shopping.
South Korea boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, with widespread access to high-speed broadband. The country’s 5G network is one of the most advanced globally, providing high-speed internet to both urban and rural areas.
Countries
Kenya
Kenya is among Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with the government recognising the digital economy as a key driver to attain national, regional, and global objectives. The Kenya Vision 2030 initiative guides Kenya’s digital economy, aiming to elevate the country to a newly industrialised, middle-income status.
Kenya does not currently have a stand-alone national AI strategy or regulatory framework. Instead, it relies on existing laws like the Data Protection Act (DPA) of 2019 to address issues related to AI and digital technologies.
Kenya’s government started exploring the potential of AI in 2018 when it created the Distributed Ledgers Technology and AI Task Force to develop a roadmap for how the country can take full advantage of these technologies. The report the task force published in 2019 notes that AI and other frontier technologies can increase national competitiveness and accelerate the rate of innovation, ‘propelling the country forward and positioning [it] as a regional and international leader in the ICT domain’. As actions that could help achieve this goal, the report recommends investments in infrastructure and skills development and the development of ‘effective regulations to balance citizen protection and private sector innovation’.
The 2022–2032 Digital Master Plan contains extensive references to AI. It starts from acknowledging that ‘AI technologies and capabilities will be the in thing in the next 5–10 years and Kenya cannot afford to be left behind or to be the late laggards’ and sets as an objective the development of an AI master plan to encourage the research, development, and deployment of AI solutions ‘to solve local problems while exporting the same capabilities to other countries’. The plan also envisioned strengthened international partnerships with leading R&D actors in the emerging technologies space, to facilitate technology transfers and attract foreign direct investments.
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Ethiopia
Ethiopia is undergoing a significant digital transformation, guided by the ‘Digital Ethiopia 2025’ strategy. This comprehensive plan aims to build a digitally empowered society by enhancing infrastructure, promoting innovation, and integrating digital technologies across various sectors.
The country’s digital infrastructure has expanded notably, with Ethio Telecom extending its fiber-optic network to over 23,000 kilometers, providing mobile coverage to 85% of the population. The liberalization of the telecommunications sector has introduced competition, exemplified by Safaricom Ethiopia’s entry into the market. Additionally, investments in data centers, such as those by the Raxio Group, are bolstering the nation’s digital capacity.
Emerging technologies are increasingly integrated into Ethiopia’s development agenda. The government approved its first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in June 2024, focusing on sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education .
To support this digital evolution, Ethiopia enacted the Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024, providing a comprehensive legal framework for data governance. The Ethiopian Communications Authority oversees the implementation of this law, ensuring data privacy and security.
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Liberia
Liberia remains a low‑penetration digital market, with only about 32 % internet users as of early 2025—placing it among the lowest in West Africa for connectivity. Mobile subscriptions are much higher—87 % connectivity relative to population—reflecting a strong mobile network reach through operators like Lonestar (MTN) and Orange that drove cellular coverage across urban and rural zones.
Despite its low connectivity, Liberia stands out regionally in a few areas: according to the Internet Society’s Pulse Resilience Index, Liberia ranks third in West Africa for Internet security resilience—evaluated by adoption of best practices and technologies to resist network disruptions. In broader governance metrics, the IIAG Global Index places Liberia among the top ten in Africa for ‘Rural Market Access,’ scoring 94.4, indicating especially strong connectivity and infrastructure access in rural zones relative to other low‑income countries.
Lastly, Liberia has demonstrated steady digital development progress: it scores above the continental average on 44 of 96 governance and infrastructure indicators, improving in 53 indicators between 2014–2023—including public administration, education, business environment, and ICT infrastructure foundations—reflecting steady governance reform and capacity development.
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North Korea
North Korea’s digital landscape is marked by surprisingly high adoption of mobile and intranet technologies, given its isolation. As of early 2025, mobile connections reached about 29.6 percent of the population, a relatively notable penetration rate in context. The country operates a uniquely extensive closed intranet system—Kwangmyong, hosting an estimated 1,000 to 5,500 internal websites and supporting services like email, internal search, e‑books, e‑commerce, video streaming, scientific resources, and multilingual dictionaries The Pyongyang Sci‑Tech Complex, with around 3,000 computer terminals providing access to these internal digital services, serves as a major institutional hub.
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Kuwait
Kuwait is actively advancing its digital landscape through strategic initiatives aligned with its Vision 2035 plan, aiming to transform into a regional financial and commercial hub. The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) oversees the ICT sector, focusing on consumer protection, service regulation, competition promotion, and licensing. The country is actively collaborating with global technology leaders, such as the partnership with Google Cloud, enhancing e-government services and developing national digital skills programs.
As a critical node in global telecommunications, Kuwait hosts several submarine cable landing stations, notably the Kuwait City Cable Landing Station. This facility connects major submarine cable systems, including the Fiber Optic Gulf (FOG), FALCON, Gulf Bridge International (GBI), and the Kuwait-Iran submarine cable. These connections position Kuwait as a pivotal hub for regional and international data traffic, enhancing its strategic importance in global communications.
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Lebanon
Internet governance in Lebanon is characterised by a complex interplay of state control, infrastructural challenges, and emerging civil society activism. The telecommunications sector is largely dominated by the state-owned operator OGERO, which controls most of the internet infrastructure and services. This governance structure has significant implications for internet access, freedom of expression, and the overall digital landscape in the country.
A significant portion of internet services in Lebanon is provided by unlicensed internet service providers (ISPs). Reports indicate that around 90 illegal ISPs operate in the country, collectively serving approximately 600,000 subscribers.
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Faroe Islands
Vatican
In the late 1990s, the Vatican established the “Internet Office of the Holy See,” integrating Vatican City State into the global internet network. This initiative led to the acquisition of the “.va” domain, the development of electronic mail services, and the launch of the official portal, www.vatican.va. Over time, the Vatican’s internet services have expanded, ensuring robust connectivity through collaborations with international operators and internet exchange points. A notable component is the Security Operation Centre, which is dedicated to safeguarding against cyber threats.
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Haiti
As of December 2024, Haiti’s digital landscape reflects both progress and ongoing challenges. Internet penetration has increased to 38.9%, with approximately 4.59 million users, yet a significant portion of the population remains offline.
The government, in collaboration with international partners, has initiated projects like the Haiti Digital Acceleration Project, aiming to expand broadband access and enhance digital resilience. Additionally, efforts are underway to digitise government operations to improve public service delivery.
Tech entrepreneurship is on the rise, with organisations fostering innovation and developing digital tools to empower communities. Educational programs are also being implemented to bridge the digital literacy gap.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including limited infrastructure, the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks, and the necessity to develop digital skills among the population. Addressing these issues is crucial for Haiti to fully leverage its digital potential.