The Middle East goal of increasing digitization comes with both significant challenges and huge opportunities. What can leaders in both the public and private sectors do to accelerate digitization across the region? We believe the transformational visions outlined by the Middle East’s government leaders are one of the building blocks. To achieve the target of full digitization many actions and a gap analysis for different countries at different levels of progress is needed. Today, it is no longer sufficient to be a consumer of digital; countries that aspire to join the vanguard must become digital creators.

However, digital acceleration across an entire economy and society requires the strategic coordination of multiple stakeholders. AFDE identified four areas— government, business, funding, and talent—as the most important areas to drive transformational change.

Fostering transformation to the Digital Economy & Society, by providing a platform for development and exchange of ideas and nurturing experiences on a national scale, business, government, society and individual levels.

• Building a Conceptual Framework for Digital Transformation, and a checklist for each country with gap analysis and benchmarking.
• Exchange of ideas and nurturing experiences, looking at best in class practices and building a high-level agenda for each country.
• Developing a framework for cooperation with the final outcome of building the Middle East and North Africa Digital Agenda.

• Countries Digital Transformation Summits, on a quarterly basis.
• Building a Conceptual Framework for Digital Transformation, and a checklist for each country with Gap analysis and benchmarking.
• Suggesting Cooperation Initiatives.

• Economic Transformation Brought about by Digital Technologies.
• Business Opportunities arising from Digital Transformation.
• Opportunities arising from the Digital Transformation of Government.
• Ramifications of this Transformation for Society, and the Future of Work.
• Technology Development and the Transfer of Knowhow.
• Regulatory and Policy Framework.
• Embracing New Digital Life Style, aspects of Culture and Moral Framework.
• Developing the Digital Foundation and Infrastructure.
• Fostering Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• Nurturing & Building Capacities.
• Developing Talent and Individual Transformation
• Governance, incentivization (motivation).
• The destabilizing affecting this transformation can have on our security, privacy.
• Aspects of Risk Mitigation.
• Impact of Transformation and how to Neutralize Negative Social and Development Effects.

• Policy makers in respective countries.
• Economic and Technology Experts.
• Business leaders.
• Community leaders and beneficiaries.

• Respective ministers and government authorities.
• International development agencies
• Arab League and regional cooperation organizations
• ICT Regulatory Authorities
• IT and Telecom associations and unions
• Chambers of commerce and industry
• Regional and international digital platforms.
• Telecom operators
• Technology and infrastructure companies.
• Banks and financial institutions
• Entrepreneurs and Venture capital funds
• Manufacturing and industrial companies
• Transportation and logistics services providers
• Healthcare providers
• Incubators and accelerators
• Municipalities and urban planners
• Consulting firms
• Universities, colleges and training institutions