Technological emergence in the heart of the Middle East: A story of progress and innovation
The Middle East's high-tech boom is still relatively recent. History rightly shows that the region has deep economic ties with the West, which in some ways have influenced the shape of the region's economic and technological environment. Over the past two decades, however, the situation has changed.
The Middle Eastern countries' growing desire for sovereignty, both geopolitically and technologically, is enabling the region to distance itself from this Western influence and to build itself as an independent technological power.
The question is: what are the characteristics of this new technological landscape in the Middle East, and what direction is it taking?
A Middle East that has become a master of virtual war
This part of the world has never been so aware of the many talents that inhabit its lands. Entrepreneurs, engineers and ingenious people have all contributed their brainpower and determination to shaping the new Middle East.
To achieve this, the region has had to rely on its own human and intellectual resources, particularly in the light of the numerous cyber-attacks. This type of cyber conflict has become commonplace in the Middle East due to the region's specific geopolitical challenges.
Countries have had to use all their strengths not only to defend themselves, but also to achieve geopolitical objectives without having to use traditional military methods. The challenge is therefore huge.
This cyberwar, invisible to our eyes, is implacably brutal. Nevertheless, it has enabled the countries of the region to be at the cutting edge of technology, to gain competitive advantages and give rise to innovative technological start-ups. Sovereignty is at stake !
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, leaders of the new Middle East technology landscape
The Middle East's technological landscape has also been shaped by numerous investments and funding programs. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, technological leaders in the region, have for many years been multiplying initiatives to consolidate a technological ecosystem in their countries. In 50 years, these countries have moved from camels to the production of some of the most advanced innovative technologies on the planet.
In a very short space of time, these two countries have succeeded in creating infrastructures enabling the sovereign exploitation of oil, industrialization and the complete digitization of their nations. All the ingredients have been brought together to create new start-up nations. Saudi Arabia, for example, launched its vision 2030 plan in 2016, aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on oil.
This plan includes numerous projects linked to technology and innovation, such as the development of special economic zones and research and development centers. One such project is NEOM, a futuristic city and special economic zone in north-west Saudi Arabia, designed to make full use of cutting-edge technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence, renewable energies and automation. The United Arab Emirates are not to be left behind.
The Dubai 10X plan aims to position the city as a world leader in innovation. Another example is Smart Dubai, making Dubai a smart, connected and sustainable city.
Expanding the Technological Horizon in the Middle East beyond Saudi Arabia and the UAE
audi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are not alone in the region in shaping the technological landscape. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar have also led the way with investments in digital infrastructure, 5G and the cloud.
Thus, the Gulf countries have consolidated their position as world leaders in digital transformation. Nevertheless, digital dynamics in the region vary significantly between the Gulf countries mentioned above and those of the Levant, such as Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.
This technological lag means that these disparities must be overcome if we are to remain competitive on a regional and international scale. As a result, and despite the economic difficulties, numerous entrepreneurial initiatives are emerging to nurture talent and shape the technological landscape.
For example, BADEEL, the new pre-incubator of Beirut's Centre d'Employabilité Francophone (CEF), aims to support student-entrepreneurs from Beirut's universities.
So, as we have explained, technological transformation has taken place through a number of channels. This has given rise to new technological industries in areas where the Gulf countries have become leaders. One of the most promising of these is healthcare.
The Covid-19 crisis has acted as a positive catalyst for the rapid adoption of digital healthcare solutions in the Middle East. A more than promising trend has emerged, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% between 2021 and 2030. By 2025, this digital healthcare market is expected to reach an estimated value of $11 billion.
This rapid transformation has seen the emergence of numerous technology startups offering, for example, telemedicine platforms and mental health applications. Other industries such as deeptech, robotics and synthetic biology are also flourishing, and are the fruits of numerous political and technological transformations.
Sources :
https://www.mei.edu/publications/middle-east-era-great-tech-competition
https://www.auf.org/nouvelles/actualites/badeel-le-nouveau-pre-incubateur-du-cef-de-beyrouth/
