Technological growth is the defining characteristic of the twenty-first century, and 2023 promises to be no different, with strong optimism surrounding the role of digital innovation in the future of our planet. This holds particularly true for the META (Middle East, Turkey, and Africa) region, where our countries have proven to be highly adaptable to global technology trends and ambitious in exploring new opportunities.
Our part of the world has always been fascinating in how its economies and societies have evolved over a relatively short period. This trajectory has been heavily influenced by a unique set of factors, including an emphasis on economic diversification and sustainability, the geopolitical climate, and a growing population that includes one of the highest segments of digitally aware youth.
The potential for growth driven by digitalisation is immense. The region’s digital economy is predicted to reach the $400 billion mark by 2030, and with the right tools and infrastructure in place, according to a new World Bank report we can increase our GDP per capita by 46% over the next 30 years through digital technologies.
However, this year will be a critical one for the region as we continue to navigate the return to normalcy in a post-pandemic world, commit to the sustainability goals set by the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, and build on the attention the region received during the Dubai Expo 2020 and the Qatar World Cup.
We also need to keep our eye on the major technical advancements predicted for this year and evaluate how to best capitalise on the opportunities relevant to us. The growth of AI and the influx of tools starting with Chat GPT is a hot topic now. Some jobs will evolve or be made redundant, but simultaneously, 97 million new jobs are expected to be created by 2025 due to AI adoption. Similarly, the explosion of new “green tech” across the construction, energy, and transport sectors will translate into massive potential for our region, along with a focus on clean energy sources and more intelligent and efficient grid infrastructure. Significant developments in autonomous systems, digital twin technologies, and IoT are also expected – radically transforming how we operate and carry out our businesses.
These trends, coupled with the region’s forward-looking plans and projects, will create a boom in the deployment of new technologies as well as catalyse new opportunities for the private sector. For example, the new ten-year Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which is driven by innovation and the creative use of new technologies, aims to double the city’s economy, enhance trade, support entrepreneurship, and facilitate job creation across more than 100 projects. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s innovative new urban developments – including NEOM, a $500 billion smart city that includes a futuristic industrial complex, and The Line, a 500-meter-tall mirrored linear city – are just the start of the Kingdom’s plans for overhauling its economy.
Within the realm of clean energy, Egypt being the host of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) drew attention to the sustainability plans of the region, and the country has ambitious plans to turn its capital into a new smart city. Elsewhere in the African continent, countries are expected to weather the instability caused by a turbulent 2022, and in fact, there is increased international interest in the area as a hub for new energy growth, including green hydrogen.
At Extreme Networks, we have been privileged to have a front-row seat to the visionary projects led by our customers. For example, organisations like Emaar Properties, a multinational real estate development company, are leading in smart home and AI-enabled product adoption, as well as smart community development. The Dubai World Trade Centre Authority has signed agreements to enable growth of the worldwide Web 3.0 industry and associated blockchain businesses from Dubai. Within the logistics industry, Ekol Logistics in Turkey has rolled out Logistics 4.0 with a smart systems-based communications network, automated processes, and self-routing components, among other things. The healthcare industry has also been seizing on new technological trends, with Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group being a prime example, having launched an AI-driven smart app that significantly enhances patient experience and care.
These present and future projects all rely heavily on data connectivity, digital resilience, and networking solutions to succeed. Therefore, the region will need to invest heavily in solid technological infrastructure, including data centers, cybersecurity measures, and most importantly a skilled workforce to bring these projects to life. With such vast possibilities awaiting us in the coming months and the challenge to build up our capabilities as fast as possible, what should the leading regional players focus on?
Governments will need to continue working together with technology developers and digital companies to facilitate legislation and implement the wide-scale digital infrastructure projects needed to continue our streak of success. Tech companies and solutions providers must maintain innovative services and products with an eye on the future needs of societies and the corporate world. It is not enough to tailor existing technologies to the META market anymore – our sector needs to surpass global standards and take advantage of the region’s unique aspects to excel further.
Perhaps most important is the need to invest in our youth. With youngsters below the age of 30 being one of the region’s strongest and still-growing demographics, we must equip them with the skills and expertise needed to deliver our technological ambitions and further drive our digital economy. An insightful exchange of practical knowledge from industries and theory developed by academia is vital to this. Extreme Academy is a prime example, utilising university partnerships to help educate and inspire the next generation of technologists and prepare them for the redefined workplace.
This is an exciting and crucial time for us all. Technologists and other leaders in our region must be active in continuing to explore the limitless opportunities afforded by expanding technologies. As META elevates its position from an emerging digital hub to a global technology trendsetter, we can set the standard for innovating and implementing exciting new projects that the world will follow.
