At Zain Interactive Forum: Experts Call for Accelerating Digital Transformation in Sudan

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Experts and academics specializing in telecommunications and information technology have called for accelerating Sudan’s digital transformation through an effective partnership between the government, the private sector, and Sudanese experts both inside and outside the country. They stressed that digital transformation represents one of the most important pillars of economic and social development in the coming period.

The calls came during the seventh Zain Interactive Forum, which discussed the current state and future of digital transformation and the telecommunications sector in Sudan. Participants included Professor Mustafa Omar Nuwari, Professor of Engineering at the University of Khartoum and Advisor to the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation; Dr. Yahya Abdullah Mohamed, academic and digital transformation advisor to Sudan and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); and Dr. Ammar Hamdeen, advisor on digital policy and governance of emerging technologies in Africa and the Middle East and a member of the African Council for Artificial Intelligence. The session was moderated by Engineer Faisal Al-Miftah Noor Al-Huda, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Zain Sudan.

Participants emphasized that digital transformation is no longer a luxury or a project that can be postponed. Rather, it is a strategic necessity that can reduce the cost of government and private services, improve operational efficiency, and expand access to financial, educational, and healthcare services, particularly in light of post-war reconstruction and recovery requirements.

The speakers noted that Sudan possesses promising opportunities to benefit from modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital financial services, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and e-learning. They stressed that realizing these opportunities requires the development of digital infrastructure, modernization of legislative and regulatory frameworks, and the adoption of clear and actionable national strategies.

Dr. Ammar Hamdeen highlighted the importance of developing a comprehensive national strategy for artificial intelligence and digital transformation. He called for a partnership model that brings together the public and private sectors, civil society, and Sudanese experts abroad to accelerate digital transformation and maximize the utilization of national expertise.

For his part, Dr. Yahya Abdullah Mohamed called for the establishment of a Supreme Council for Digital Transformation with effective executive powers, while strengthening the role of information centers within ministries and government institutions. He also stressed the need to create an attractive work environment for technical professionals to reduce the migration of national talent.

He further emphasized the importance of improving the quality of telecommunications services, expanding fiber-optic networks, developing cloud computing services and national data centers, and utilizing telecommunications networks to support early warning systems and emergency services.

Professor Mustafa Omar Nuwari explained that keeping pace with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and satellite internet has become essential to enhancing Sudan’s digital competitiveness. He pointed to the importance of developing modern data centers and connecting government institutions through an integrated digital ecosystem.

The forum also discussed key challenges facing the sector, including weak infrastructure, power outages, high operating costs, limited institutional coordination, and delays in implementing some technology projects.

In the same context, Engineer Faisal Al-Miftah Noor Al-Huda stated that telecommunications service pricing is linked to operational and sustainability requirements. He noted that Zain continues to provide promotional offers and service packages on a regular basis while remaining committed to contributing to the development of digital infrastructure and supporting innovation and digital transformation initiatives in Sudan.

The forum featured interventions from attendees who emphasized the importance of empowering Sudanese youth and software developers, supporting startups, and leveraging volunteer efforts and national expertise in implementing digital transformation projects, particularly in the education, healthcare, and government services sectors.

The participants concluded the forum by stressing the importance of continued dialogue and coordination among all stakeholders and working toward building a sustainable digital economy that supports development and reconstruction efforts while enhancing Sudan’s ability to benefit from the opportunities presented by the global digital revolution.

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