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Mid East Info
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Driving Mobile Growth: GSMA Advocates for Policy Reforms to Enhance Investment in MENA
CAIRO, EGYPT – Media OutReach Newswire – April 2025 – Policymakers and regulators across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) risk missing out on significant economic growth driven by mobile technology unless urgent policy reforms are enacted, according to a new GSMA report presented today at a high-level CxO and policy roundtables hosted by Vodafone Egypt in Cairo. The report, Igniting Mobile Investment in MENA , takes a closer look at how well countries in the region are set up to improve and expand their mobile networks. It highlights key strengths and problem areas in current policies, offering practical ideas to help unlock more investment and enhance mobile access for everyone. With the mobile sector projected to contribute over $200 billion to MENA's GDP by 2030, the stakes are high. However, the report finds that outdated regulatory environments including fragmented licensing management, and high sector specific taxation are stifling the necessary investments to expand and modernise networks. At the same time, more than 250 million people remain offline despite being within coverage – underscoring the urgent need for policies that support both infrastructure expansion and meaningful digital inclusion. 'Governments in MENA have set bold digital transformation goals, but the investment climate still lags behind,' said Jawad Abbassi, Head of MENA at GSMA. 'This report provides a clear roadmap for reform – enabling mobile to deliver the connectivity, services, and economic growth that societies across the region are counting on.' At the reports core is the Infrastructure Policy Readiness Framework, a diagnostic tool developed by the GSMA to help policymakers assess the investment-readiness of their regulatory environments. The report evaluates mobile investment conditions in 13 markets across MENA, uncovering shared challenges such as: Restrictive licensing models and too short spectrum licence durations High and distortionary sector-specific taxes Delays in approvals for infrastructure deployment Lack of supportive frameworks for network sharing Limited provisions for cross-border data flows and innovation Five Priority Reforms to Unlock Mobile Investment: The GSMA has identified five top policy priorities essential to improving investment climates and accelerating network rollout: Modernise licensing framework to allow technology neutrality and increase spectrum license duration to provide clarity and reduce risk for investors Fair and investment-friendly taxation that encourages infrastructure investment Supportive frameworks for infrastructure sharing to lower costs and expand rural coverage Competitive, open market dynamics to enable efficient investment and consumer choice Regulation that enables innovation and emerging technologies, such as 5G, AI, and cloud computing 'These are practical, achievable steps that will pay dividends for years to come,' said Michaela Angonius, Head of Policy and Regulation at GSMA. 'This isn't just about building networks – it's about creating opportunities for people, communities, and economies across the region. With the right policies, governments can unlock innovation, create jobs, reduce inequality, and empower millions to benefit from the digital age.' A Shared Commitment to Progress: The report was presented during the GSMA MENA CxO Roundtable, bringing together senior government officials and industry leaders. The event highlighted growing momentum across the region for more collaborative policymaking and the importance of bridging the gap between ambition and action, emphasising that public and private sector collaboration is crucial for the successful digital transformation of the region. 'The telecommunications sector is a cornerstone of economic growth and digital transformation, offering immense opportunities to drive innovation and connect communities,' said Ayman Essam, External Affairs and Legal Director at Vodafone Egypt. 'At Vodafone Egypt, we are committed to leveraging our expertise, including our 5G experience across 49 Vodafone markets, to address the region's most pressing challenges. By collaborating closely with MENA operators and the GSMA, we aim to drive meaningful policy reforms and foster a supportive regulatory environment that enables sustainable growth across the region.' The GSMA is now calling on governments across the region to adopt the report's recommendations and deepen engagement with mobile industry stakeholders to realise shared digital ambitions. About the GSMA: The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop, and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy; tackling today's biggest societal challenges; underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work; and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. About Vodafone Egypt: Vodafone is the largest telecommunications company in Egypt. The company's strategy is to shape the future of the new digital world while continuing to put our customers first. For more than 25 years, Vodafone has invested more than EGP 100 billion to make a tangible difference in the lives of over 50 million customers through its exceptional team of 10,000 employees. The company strives to strongly impact on the market with innovative products and services and seamless digital customer experience. They were the first to launch the Vodafone Cash mobile wallet, aiming to facilitate the lives of over 20 million Egyptians by providing access to digital solutions and financial services. In 2003, the company established the Vodafone Egypt Foundation for community development and invested EGP 700 million in high-impact projects, benefiting 11 million Egyptians. The company's purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives and businesses and help develop inclusive, sustainable societies. It is committed to operating 100% on renewable energy by 2025.
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
New Forbes Survey Reveals C-Suite's Vision For Tech-Powered Growth In 2025
By Romy Oltuski Their optimistic projections, along with the short-term challenges that could derail that trajectory, are captured in our fifth annual CxO Growth Survey, which reflects the viewpoints of 1,000 global executives representing companies with at least $1 billion in revenue. This story, published in March 2025, marks our first release of its findings. Read on for an inside look at CxOs' investment strategies, their collaboration dynamics and the challenges they face in the race toward technological excellence. Executive leaders now view technology as the primary enabler of business growth, citing accelerating digital transformation as their top strategic priority, up from the number-three spot just last year. Chief financial officers are backing this shift, with tech set to receive the biggest jump in capital spending. Trailing technology in second and third place on the CxO agenda are: In contrast, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives—last year's top concerns—have slipped to seventh and eighth place for this year. 'This reflects increased pressure to balance long-term commitments with short-term profitability in this period of uncertainty,' says Ross Gagnon, executive director of research at Forbes. While this survey was conducted prior to Donald Trump's presidency, the findings also align with U.S. companies' growing retreat from corporate social responsibility. Dozens have walked back DEI commitments amid political and regulatory change, while others have cooled on climate pledges, delaying key decarbonization deadlines. However, executives' longer-term goals tell a different story. When asked how their priorities will evolve over the next two years, CxOs put DEI back on their top-three list. They also consider investing in the circular economy—a system that minimizes waste by extending the lifespan of materials through reuse and resource efficiency—as essential to their company's long-term growth. While these focus areas may be taking a temporary backseat, executives affirm their continued importance in shaping future strategy. *Indicates the percentage of respondents who gave this answer According to surveytakers, that's the most hotly debated question in the C-suite. Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity solutions top the list of tech investments, with 93% of organizations increasing spending in these areas over the next two years. And expect bold moves, not modest hikes: More than half plan to up their AI and cybersecurity budgets by more than 16%. This strategy reflects the ongoing race between innovation and protection, as cybersecurity solutions strive to combat the rise of AI-driven threats while also harnessing AI's capabilities for defense. 'We're living in a very interesting space where we're building tech to protect against tech, and the speed is just accelerating,' Allegra Driscoll, chief technology officer of payments solution provider Bread Financial, said at the Forbes CIO Summit in November. Fifty-five percent of survey participants struggle to handle the blitz of cyber threats and attacks they say has escalated over the past year. Stirred to action, 83% have implemented zero-trust security models, and 88% have continuous security improvement programs in place that include regular assessments, vulnerability remediation and ongoing employee training. RELATED: Do You Think Like A CEO? Take Our Quiz To Find Out Ripple Bhular, executive vice president and head of U.S. Capital Markets and Diversified at IT services company Kyndryl, sees these actions as not just a defense posture but also a growth strategy. 'Organizations need to start seeing cybersecurity as a competitive differentiator for them,' she said, speaking on the same CIO Summit panel. 'If a consumer is impacted or has an inclination that a certain business is not protecting their data, they're gonna take their business elsewhere.' Our survey portrays an increasingly unified and collaborative C-suite. Chief information officers (82%) and chief marketing officers (78%), for example, increasingly see themselves as bridge-builders within their organizations, reaching across departments to advocate for organization-wide innovation. This type of multidisciplinary approach facilitates CxOs' intertwined priorities: CEOs aren't just endorsing this cross-functional approach; they're modeling it. Eighty-eight percent are prioritizing stronger engagement with their leadership teams and say encouraging greater collaboration among their direct reports is one of their top strategic goals. Tech executives, meanwhile, topped the list of C-suite leaders CxOs want to collaborate with more in the future—highlighting their conviction that tech-driven growth is the key to advancing their functions and the organization as a whole. Forbes Research takes the pulse of the most important topics in business through original surveys, analysis and storytelling. Explore our findings, and learn more about partnering with Forbes Research.
