From Crisis to Opportunity - Strengthening MENA's digital ecosystem in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic - Economist Impact
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From Crisis to Opportunity Strengthening MENA’s digital ecosystem in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic A report by The Economist Intelligence Unit April 2021 Sponsored by
FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
FOREWORD
From Crisis to Opportunity: Strengthening HE Abdulaziz Alrasheed, Assistant Minister
MENA’s digital ecosystem in the wake of the for International Financial Affairs and Macro-
COVID-19 pandemic is an Economist Intelligence Fiscal Policy, Ministry of Finance, The Kingdom
Unit (EIU) report that has been commissioned of Saudi Arabia
by Google. The findings are based on an HE Dr Saad Alshahrani, Deputy Minister
extensive literature review of more than 100 of Financial Affairs and Macro-Fiscal Policy,
studies, an internal expert panel and an Ministry of Finance, The Kingdom of Saudi
interview programme conducted by the EIU Arabia
between July and August 2020. A number of
Barbara Ubaldi, Head of Digital Government
findings were updated in January 2021. In total,
and Data Unit, Directorate for Public
more than 10 representatives from government
Governance, OECD
entities, the private sector and academia were
Arthur Pataud, MENA Policy Analyst, OECD
interviewed.
Dr Tina Zintl, Senior Researcher, “Stability and
The EIU bears sole responsibility for the content Development in the Middle East and North
of this report. The findings and views expressed Africa”, German Development Institute
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Dr Bernhard Trautner, Professor, German
commissioner. The report was produced by a Development Institute
team of researchers, writers, editors, and graphic Hazem Galal, Partner, Global Leader for Cities
designers, including: & Local Government, PwC Middle East
Chris Yiu, Executive Director, Technology and
Adedayo Bolaji-Adio, Project Director Public Policy, Tony Blair Global Institute for
Meriem Menani, Project Advisor Global Change
Pooja Chaudhary, Project Manager Suhail Shersad, Digital Economy Specialist,
Sumer Sharma, Lead Analyst World Bank
Zeina Dowidar, Research Contributor Cem Dener, Lead Governance Specialist,
Ben Parisi, Writer World Bank
Jan Copeman, Editor Stephen Davenport, Global Lead, Anti
Corruption, Openness and Transparency, World
Bank
Interviewees
Our thanks are also due to the following people Kimberly Johns, Senior Public Sector
for their time and insights: Specialist, World Bank
Jens Kromann Kristensen, Practice Manager,
Dr Ahmed Daher, Deputy Minister of Middle East and North Africa Region, World
Education for Information Technology, Ministry Bank
of Education, Egypt
2 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
INTRODUCTION 6
SECTION I: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN THE MENA REGION 8
SECTION II: EMPLOYING TECHNOLOGY TO BUILD RESILIENCE IN KEY 13
SECTORS
SECTION III: GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCING THE 28
TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM IN MENA ECONOMIES TO BUILD RESILIENCE
Gaps in MENA’s technology ecosystem 29
Policy solutions to strengthen MENA’s technology ecosystem and build long- 41
term economic resilience
SECTION IV: CONCLUSION 53
ENDNOTES 54
3 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COVID-19 has taken more than two million In response to the socio-economic fallout of
lives1 and wreaked havoc on even the strongest COVID-19, some governments in the MENA
economies. The pandemic has forced changes region have leveraged technology to ensure
to virtually every aspect of economic and non- that critical social services remain available,
economic life, from the critical to the mundane. and that businesses are able to operate despite
Overburdened healthcare systems around the increasing uncertainty. The countries of the
world have scrambled to build makeshift field Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), for instance,
hospitals to treat patients, whilst schools have have deployed advanced technology to launch
struggled to provide online instruction and in- telehealth services, offer digitised government
person business exchanges have all but ground services and transition school lessons online.5
to a halt.2 In North Africa, governments have expanded
e-learning services to ensure that students
continue to access education. However, not all
Policymakers around the world have
MENA countries were technologically equipped
implemented various measures to tackle the
to handle the crisis.6 Across the region, even in
spread of the virus, including lockdowns and
the richer GCC countries, a number of factors
social distancing. However, these measures have
still hold countries back from their full digital
forced business closures and travel restrictions,
potential. These factors include persistent
exacerbating the economic consequences of
technology skills gaps, complex regulatory
the crisis. In the Middle East and North Africa
requirements, lack of access to digital systems,
(MENA) region, COVID-19 has led to a severe
digital divides across age and gender, and
contraction in GDP growth, putting at risk the
weak data flow, classification and protection
region’s economic growth strategies. For oil-
frameworks.7
exporting MENA countries, the global fall in
demand has resulted in a slump in oil prices,
driving an increase in job losses. Widespread The pandemic presents a window of opportunity
travel restrictions have also resulted in the loss for MENA governments to reassess their digital
of significant tourism revenue; a particular readiness and drive changes that will better
concern for MENA countries, such as Egypt and equip them to create economic and social
the United Arab Emirates, where it contributes opportunities, mitigate risks, and minimise
up to 20% of GDP. 3 Across the region, the socio-economic disruptions during future crises.
current health and economic crisis has amplified
long-standing structural challenges, including
This report examines how technological tools
high youth unemployment, limited economic
have been successfully applied in MENA during
diversification, low business productivity,
the pandemic, as well as key obstacles to future
overburdened public sectors, and uncompetitive
technological adoption in the region. It assesses
business environments.4
4 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
areas where new or revised policies based on These require a robust set of data security,
international best practices could catalyse the transfer and privacy laws and regulations, which
MENA region’s use of advanced technologies to must be enforceable, credible and trusted by the
bolster economic resilience. public to be in its best interest;
3. The elevation of educational standards to
The study finds that MENA countries can ensure that MENA’s current and future workforce
speed up their economic recovery and is adequately equipped with the hard and soft
better prepare for future shocks by building skills that will enable them to participate in a
the digital infrastructure, data security high-tech economy;
regulation and human capital development 4. The promotion of private participation,
frameworks that will enable the greater regional startups and digital entrepreneurs
integration of advanced technologies through the simplification of business licensing
throughout their economies. These three procedures, and;
frameworks account for the physical systems 5. Accessible and interoperable legal systems,
(such as telecommunications infrastructure), designed through a participatory process, with
policy environment (particularly cloud, data key elements consistent across the region, that
flow and privacy laws), and educational protect user data as the region increasingly
strategies that can equip MENA’s future iterates new uses for Artificial Intelligence (AI),
workforce with the necessary digital skills. cloud computing and advanced data analytics.
Together, progress in these areas will build
MENA’s technology ecosystem capacity to
Although countries in the MENA region fall on
support the region’s long-term economic
a wide spectrum of technological readiness, a
resilience.
commitment to inclusive and strong economic
growth requires that each country prioritises
In particular, an analysis of MENA’s current these objectives in its national growth and
technology ecosystem highlights the need for economic recovery agenda. Many MENA leaders
concerted policy changes, including: have already started implementing policy
1. Unfettered, equitable access to high-speed initiatives to build their technology ecosystem,
internet, which is the basic building block and they must now continue to champion these
of preparedness, enabling remote learning, advances in resilience to help safeguard the vast
e-commerce, business continuity and more interconnected global population.
sophisticated and safer healthcare services;
2. The adoption of critical life-saving
technologies, such as contact tracing
applications and electronic medical records.
5 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 6 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021
FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
INTRODUCTION
T he COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes
to nearly every aspect of public life. By the
time the World Health Organisation (WHO)
pandemic with the help of technology. It highlights
how the pandemic has led to accelerated
technology adoption by individuals, businesses and
declared COVID-19 a public health emergency governments in the region in an effort to mitigate
of international concern on 11 March 2020, against COVID-19’simpact and prevent future
many countries around the world had enforced disruptions. The report also identifies existing
lockdowns and social distancing measures. These challenges to widespread technology adoption
measures have restricted business operations, in the region and highlights opportunities for
reduced international travel, limited global trade, developing an advanced technology ecosystem
and strained social service delivery systems. that could help countries build long-term
economic resilience.
A country’s capacity to adapt in the face of
these unexpected changes is an indication of its SECTION I of this report reviews how the
resilience. Crisis management that incorporates COVID-19 pandemic has affected countries in the
advanced technology ecosystems has proven to MENA region. SECTION II assesses how countries
be critical to building economic resilience and in MENA have employed technology to respond
mitigating the impact of COVID-19. For example, to the socio-economic consequences of the
South Korea was able to use existing technologies pandemic in five sectors - healthcare, education,
to aggressively trace the contacts of known retail, tourism and government services. SECTION
infected individuals and was one of the countries III examines the major gaps in MENA’s technology
with the most successful containment results, with ecosystem that have limited the region’s ability to
27 deaths per one million residents.8 Compared harness the full potential for technology to support
with an estimated average real GDP contraction economic recovery and growth. The section also
rate of 5.3% for the 37 OECD member countries looks at the key opportunities and international
in 2020, South Korea’s real GDP contraction is best practices for addressing challenges in MENA’s
estimated to be only 1.1%.9 The EIU also expects technology ecosystem. Recommended policy
South Korea to be the first OECD country to see changes and their likely impacts and timeframes
its economy recover to pre-pandemic levels, with are further detailed in a Policy Playbook that
estimated 3% growth in 2021.10 accompanies this report. The report concludes by
reviewing the importance of a strong technology
In the MENA region, the EIU estimates that GDP
ecosystem for MENA’s long-term growth and
contracted by 5.9% in 2020, as a result of COVID-
productivity and highlights key areas for further
19’s effects on the region’s economies.11 Disparities
exploration.
in the development of technology ecosystems in
the region, particularly between GCC countries Ultimately, this report aims to guide MENA
and those in North Africa and the Levant, leave policy makers and private sector stakeholders
some MENA countries much less able to fully in designing data-driven and forward-looking
leverage new technologies to support economic solutions that will help develop the region’s
recovery and resilience. technology ecosystems and address socio-
economic challenges.
This report will examine how MENA countries have
managed the challenges posed by the COVID-19
7 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
SECTION I: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
IN THE MENA REGION
COVID-19 has had a greater impact on the global economy than any
pandemic before it because of the scale and speed at which it has spread.
In the MENA region, the pandemic has increased the strain on healthcare
and education systems, adversely impacted key economic sectors, such as
tourism and retail, and reduced fiscal stability, particularly in oil-exporting
nations.
U nlike past pandemics such as SARS, H1N1,
Ebola, and the Zika virus, which had
relatively localised socio-economic effects,
additional 8.3 million people into poverty amid
deepening food insecurity crises,18,19 and high
unemployment.20 In 2021, the EIU estimates
COVID-19 has had a more global impact. The that economic recovery will be subdued, with
loss in GDP from SARS, for instance, was regional GDP expected to grow at 2.2%.21 This
largely concentrated in East Asian economies is because global hydrocarbons output and
and estimated to be US$54 billion.12 Likewise, prices are expected to recover only partially
during the Ebola outbreak in 2014, West Africa and the revival of tourist activity is expected to
sustained a GDP loss of more than US$53 be slow, remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
billion, while the rest of the world’s economies GCC countries are rolling out vaccinations and
remained largely unaffected.13 In the case of have the capacity to vaccinate most of their
COVID-19, however, the EIU estimates that populations within the year. However, COVID-19
the pandemic caused global GDP to contract cases remain high in countries like the UAE
by 4.3% in 2020, which amounts to a total GDP that have opened their borders to tourists,22
loss of roughly US$4.4 trillion in 2020.14 In 2021, despite the country leading the world in terms
the EIU estimates that the world economy will of vaccinations administered per capita (second
recover gradually at a rate of 4.5% due to the only to Israel).23 This suggests that reopening
pandemic’s effects.15 will have to be gradual and careful, indicating a
longer and more tentative road to recovery.
In the MENA region, the economic impact of
COVID-19 has been particularly dire, with the
EIU estimating a regional GDP contraction
of 5.9%, which amounts to a loss of US$288
billion.16 GDP losses include an estimated 45%
decrease in FDI inflows into the region in 2020,
a decline of US$17.8 billion compared with
2019.17 MENA’s drop in GDP risks pushing an
8 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
COVID-19’s economic impact on the MENA region
Real GDP in MENA Saudi
Algeria Egypt Iran Iraq Israel Qatar UAE
(2008-2024) Arabia
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
-15
Source: EIU analysis.
At sector level, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected countries in the MENA region in five
major ways:
1. HEALTHCARE: Increased strain on already weak and overcrowded healthcare
systems due to high rates of COVID-19 infection.
2. EDUCATION: Reduced access to education for almost 100 million children aged
5-17 as well as many tertiary-level students, thus threatening the region’s human
capital development plans.
3. TOURISM: Decreased global travel and demand for tourism, a sector that
generates close to 20% of GDP in many MENA countries.
4. RETAIL: Weakened consumer spending due to job losses and reduced consumer
confidence placing pressure on retail activity.
5. GOVERNMENT: Increased fiscal pressure due to lower private consumption
and business activity as well as lower oil receipts in oil-exporting countries due to
reduced global demand.
9 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
COVID-19’s impact on livelihoods in MENA
Consumption Profits Employment FDI Poverty
Decline in Proportion of firms that Proportion of firms Loss of FDI Increase in absolute
monthly PMI expect at least 25% that expect to cut staff poverty headcount
reduction in profit
11-17 pts 40% 40% 45% 8.3M
Sources: UN Economic Commission for West Asia; Middle East Economy Watch, PwC 2020; EIU analysis.
In the healthcare sector, the pandemic has In the education sector, full or partial
revealed cracks in MENA’s medical systems, closures during the early days of the pandemic
particularly in low-income and conflict-affected risked derailing the region’s human capital
countries. In the region, nearly 5 million people development plans. The quality of education in
have contracted COVID-1924, representing many parts of MENA was already weak before
5% of all global cases.25 While countries like the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Bank’s
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Morocco and the UAE Human Capital Index finds that “a child born
have seen 1-2% of their populations infected, today in MENA will be only 57% as productive
smaller states like Qatar and Bahrain have seen when she grows up as she would be if she
infection rates of 5% and 7% respectively.26,27 benefitted from complete education and full
Despite the variation in infection rates, in health.”31 This is largely due to relatively low
many MENA countries, weak and overcrowded education rates in many MENA countries,
healthcare systems are finding it hard to cope as well as the poor quality of education. The
with COVID-19 patients and typical healthcare COVID-19 pandemic risks exacerbating these
emergencies. In fragile states, such as Yemen, education challenges. According to the World
Syria, Libya, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories, Bank, COVID-19 school closures might increase
healthcare systems are grappling with a lack of the learning deprivation gap by approximately
hospital beds and testing capacity. In Yemen, 2.5 percentage points in the region. As students
only 51% of the country’s health centres remain in the region return to their respective places of
functional and there are very few testing sites learning, it will be important for governments
for COVID-19.28 Syrian hospitals are similarly to identify how policy options deployed during
overburdened due to lost capacity over the years the crisis, such as remote learning solutions,
and can only conduct 500 tests a day.29 Even in can contribute to building an educational
richer GCC states, healthcare systems have had system that is more resilient to crisis, flexible in
to put workarounds in place to cope with the identifying and responding to each individual
virus. In Dubai, for instance, the health authority student’s learning needs, and proactive in
instructed hospitals to postpone all elective protecting the most vulnerable.32
and non-urgent surgeries in March 2020, to
In the tourism sector, strict lockdowns and
accommodate a potential surge in patients due
social distancing measures in MENA nearly
to COVID-19.30
10 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
ground economic activity to a halt in 2020. Prior due to economic uncertainty and job insecurity
to the pandemic, tourism accounted for 5.3% has meant that consumers remain cautious
of GDP growth and 6.7 million jobs across the about spending. According to PwC’s CFO Pulse
MENA region. According to the World Travel Survey conducted in May 2020, 40% of firms in
& Tourism Council (WTTC), as of November MENA are expected to experience at least a 25%
2020, 4.2 million jobs were lost or affected in dip in profits and plan to cut staff.42 Household
the region because of the disruption to tourist expenditure on leisure and education in the
activity. The tourism sector alone is responsible MENA region declined by US$3.5 billion in 2020.43
for a US$154 billion loss in GDP in MENA.33 In Non-food retail sales are estimated to have
the first 10 months of 2020, international tourist fallen by US$7.6 billion in 2020 from US$235
arrivals fell by 73% compared to the previous billion in 2019.44 In 2021, retail sales are expected
year.34 The tourism sector in MENA is expected to grow at a modest 2.7%, slower than the 2019
to begin to recover in 2021 with the removal of pre-pandemic growth rate (5.1%).45
travel restrictions. However, a UNWTO survey of
Finally, for governments in the MENA region,
experts shows that 83% of them expect tourism
low economic activity coupled with external
in the region to rebound only in the third and
price shocks have increased fiscal pressures
fourth quarters of the year.35 Surveyed experts
on a number of economies. In oil-importing
do not anticipate a return to pre-pandemic
countries like Morocco, Lebanon and Egypt,
2019 levels in MENA before 2022, with a third
the sharp decline in non-oil activity, like
expecting that this will only happen in 2024 or
tourism, and low levels of global trade, has
later.36
limited government revenue. However, some
The decline in tourism activity is expected to of this pressure has been alleviated by lower
have a significant impact on Egypt, Jordan, oil import bills.46 In oil-exporting countries,
Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the UAE, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where oil
where tourism contributes between 10-20% forms an important component of government
of total GDP. In Egypt, for example, the loss revenue, low levels of economic activity due
of expenditure from international tourists to COVID-19 have reduced global demand for
is estimated to represent two thirds of the oil thus reducing government oil receipts (see
total loss in GDP caused by the pandemic.37 Exhibit below).47 The International Monetary
In the GCC, where international visitor spend Fund (IMF) estimates a 7.7% contraction in oil
contributes US$90.4 billion to the economy, GDP in the region, destructive for oil exporting
international tourist arrivals fell by between economies.48 Moreover, while governments have
65-80% in 2020, with Bahrain (78%) and Saudi had to contend with lower revenue prospects,
Arabia (74%) the worst hit.38,39 Up to September they have also had to provide significant levels
2020, Morocco’s tourism sector had suffered of economic support to key sectors. Saudi
losses of US$2 billion due to the COVID-19 crisis. Arabia, for instance, has committed US$48
In addition, up to 400,000 tourism-related jobs in billion in economic stimulus to help its economy
the GCC region were affected, compounding an manage the effects of COVID-19. Similarly,
already serious unemployment crisis.41 in July 2020, Morocco announced a US$12.9
billion package to stimulate its economy and
In the retail sector, a fall in domestic demand
11 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Tunisia announced a US$864 million stimulus the economic recovery. Dubai started the
package to help manage the effects of the crisis year by announcing a stimulus package worth
in March 2020.49 In 2021 the region’s wealthier AED315 million on 6th January, its fifth since the
economies, particularly in the GCC, will be able pandemic began.50
to continue to provide fiscal stimulus to support
Breakeven oil prices and the decline in the oil prices in 2020
2019 Fiscal Breakeven Oil Price
(US$ per barrel)
250
244.3 Oil Price 2020 Oil Price
(US$ per barrel) (US$ 42.2)
200
150
100 106.3
92.8
82.6
55.7
52.6 67.1
48.5 44.9
Source:
50 IMF, EIU.
0
Bahrain Iran Iraq Kuwait Libya Oman Qatar Saudi UAE
Arabia
Though many countries in MENA have collaborating online using video conferencing.
introduced economic stimulus packages The next section explores how businesses and
to minimise the effects of COVID-19, these governments in the MENA region have used
countries have also leveraged technology to technology across the five sectors discussed
mitigate the crisis. For instance, with teams above to adapt to the changes brought about by
working remotely, businesses in MENA the COVID-19 pandemic.
have sustained day-to-day operations by
12 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
SECTION II: EMPLOYING TECHNOLOGY
TO MINIMIZE COVID-RELATED
DISRUPTIONS AND BUILD RESILIENCE IN
KEY SECTORS IN MENA
In response to the negative socio-economic impact of the COVID-19
pandemic, countries in the MENA region have sought to stimulate growth
and provide essential social services by using technology to minimise
disruptions in five key sectors: healthcare, education, retail, tourism, and
government services. Across these sectors, actors in MENA have leveraged
technology to: (1) scale up the use of existing digital apps and platforms
in areas where there was previously minimal use, for example, expanding
e-learning delivery during COVID-19 lockdowns; (2) provide new digital
solutions in areas where alternative technologies proved inadequate, for
example, setting up infrastructure to facilitate wholly touchless travel, and
(3) introduce digital tools in areas where they were not previously employed,
for example, deploying digital contact tracing and diagnosis applications for
COVID-19 prevention.
T echnology has played a vital role in many
countries’ response to COVID-19, both in
terms of employing digital tools to fight the
important for the region given their contribution
to national GDP (tourism and retail), their role
in employing nationals (government services)
virus itself and in using technology platforms to and their importance to the socio-economic
cushion the impact on society as the pandemic wellbeing of citizens and residents (health and
persists. This section focuses on how countries education). Accordingly, building resilience
in MENA have used technology to improve in these five sectors, including through the
resilience in five key sectors i.e. healthcare, use of technology, will be vital for the region’s
education, retail, tourism and government economic recovery.
services. These sectors are particularly
13 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Technology as a tool to build resilience: MENA deployed technology across key sectors to minimize COVID-19
related interruptions
Hospitals and clinics have scaled up telemedicine, using it Governments are using app-based platforms for contact
with AI tools to enable contactless COVID-19 diagnosis tracing to control community transmission
Some hospitals and healthcare facilities are using robots
Healthcare for sanitisation
Governments deployed existing or new online learning Governments provided online repositories of
platforms to ensure continued schooling learning content and educational resources for
Education teachers and students
Shift to online shopping, as brick and mortar stores in the Use of robotics for contactless delivery
region have started developing/ bolstering their online
presence
Retail
Tourism and travel industry is innovating to resume travel Virtual reality experiences from popular tourist
with minimal contact and risk of transmission by installing, destinations have been made available to substitute
for example, self-cleaning escalator handrails, touchless physical tourism
Tourism elevator buttons and contactless passenger screening
Governments launched comprehensive platforms and used Governments have set up online information and support
their existing platforms to enable citizens’ access to a wide platforms to provide vital business information
Government range of government services
Services
Source: EIU analysis.
Healthcare
In the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved effective in limiting the spread
it became clear that healthcare systems, even of the virus in the region, according to the
in some of the most advanced economies in OECD report. Quarantine rules were enforced
the world, were ill-prepared for the shock of a by incorporating severe penalties for non-
highly communicable virus.52 An OECD report compliance, ranging from heavy fines to prison
notes that GCC countries were more efficient sentences, in countries such as Jordan, Saudi
than other countries in the MENA region in Arabia and the UAE, which helped in controlling
controlling the spread of the virus. Despite the spread of the virus.53
varying levels of healthcare system preparedness
GCC countries were more prepared to
across MENA, the region’s early response to
manage the COVID-19 virus, due to previous
COVID-19 involved strict containment measures,
14 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
investments in healthcare infrastructure and assess the likelihood of their having contracted
technologies, which, along with efforts to the COVID-19 virus. One example of this is
increase medical staff, significantly improved the UAE government’s Virtual Doctor chatbot
the quality of healthcare services in the region. service. 57 The chatbot asks people questions
In an assessment of COVID-19 preparedness relating to their travel history, the possibility of
published by the WHO in March 2020, where having come in contact with someone who has
countries were ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 travelled and is sick or with someone known
meaning no capacity to respond and 5 meaning to have COVID-19. It also asks if the person is
sustainable capacity), all GCC countries, except suffering from specific symptoms. Depending
Qatar, scored either 4 or 5.54 Technology played a on the person’s answers, the chatbot will deduce
key role in these efforts. if the person is at risk and connect him/her to
a doctor through the same service. To scale up
Contactless diagnosis using telemedicine
telemedicine, the UAE has begun working with
and AI tools: Due to the high communicability
its national telecom provider Du to establish
of the COVID-19 virus, many hospitals and clinics
MENA’s first virtual hospital, which will include
in the MENA region scaled up their telemedicine
a telemedicine app and smart monitors that will
services. Through virtual “visits”, a medical
enable patients to receive remote care.58
practitioner could assess a patient for symptoms
of COVID-19 and determine the need for further Increasingly, companies and governments in
testing and treatment. Such services also served MENA have been deploying AI tools to improve
to reduce crowding at healthcare facilities, thus diagnosis and help mitigate the spread of
lowering the risk of patient exposure to people COVID-19. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia
infected with the virus. and Egypt have begun to adopt big data and AI
in healthcare, where they are expected to play a
In April, Dubai-based private healthcare
major role, not just in diagnostics but also supply
entities, Aster DM Healthcare and HealthHub
management.59 For example, Nabta Health, an
by Al-Futtaim, introduced their own video-
emerging Emirati healthcare company, is using AI
conference-style consultations . Both services,
to provide COVID-19 risk assessments, identify
currently free, are open to patients who require
symptoms and diagnose underlying health
non-emergency care.55 In Dhahran, Saudi Arabia,
conditions.60,61 These advanced technologies
Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, launched
have already played a role in distributing the
primary care and mental health video sessions
UAE’s health supplies during the pandemic. An
through their platform MyChart Video Visit.
example in this case is the use of a self-driving
The platform offers patients an option to
vehicle, which uses AI to distribute personal
conduct virtual, face-to-face interactions with a
protective equipment, including masks, gloves
primary care physician from the comfort of their
and sanitiser among residents.62
homes.56
Contact tracing using app-based platforms:
In addition to online consultations with medical
Contact tracing is the process of identifying all
professionals, a number of healthcare providers
the people in an infected person’s network who
in MENA have introduced online chatbots, which
may need to be tested or quarantined in order
individuals can use to share symptoms and
15 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
to contain the virus and reduce community also rolled out a contact-tracing app, called
transmission (see Exhibit 4). To perform EHTERAZ. Developed by the Ministry of Interior,
contact tracing, a number of countries in the its use is compulsory for all citizens leaving
MENA region have developed new technology their homes. The app uses GPS and Bluetooth
platforms to help them track and prevent the technology to track COVID-19 cases.65
spread of the virus. Saudi Arabia, for instance,
Use of robotics for sanitisation: Robots are
has introduced a social distancing app, called
being used by a number of countries in the
Tabaud, which notifies people if they came
region. For example, The Dubai Health Authority
in contact with an individual infected with
(DHA) has introduced eight “smart” robots to
COVID-19.63 The government of Morocco has
sterilise its government-run hospitals and clinics.
launched its own contact-tracing app, Wiqaytna,
These robots, created by Danish company UVD
developed by the Ministry of Interior. The
Robots, are able to complete the exhaustive
app uses bluetooth technology and notifies
sterilisation of a room in 10-15 minutes, making
users if they come into prolonged contact
the process of infection prevention and control
with an individual who has tested positive for
highly efficient.66
COVID-19.64 The government of Qatar has
How contact tracing helps stop community transmission of COVID-19
Contact tracing begins once a positive
case is identified. Public health authorities
will then identify every person who has
been in close contact with the patient
recently.
This can be done by either asking
the patient or through apps that
track interpersonal proximity.
This allows health authorities to intervene and prevent further
infection, asking contact to monitor symptoms and even self-isolate.
It enables them to track high-risk individuals and identify their
contacts. Without testing and tracing, community transmission
would continue unabated.
Source: EIU analysis.
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IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Telemedicine requires people to have high- MENA is a mature market in this respect, with
speed internet connections. Currently, internet smartphones comprising 62% of all mobile
penetration in MENA averages 63%, ranging subscriptions.68 In the GCC, penetration is 79%,
from 80% in some GCC countries and Lebanon, with North Africa at 54% and the rest of the
to less than 50% in parts of North Africa and Middle East ranging between 45% and 61%.69
Iraq, with high rates of access concentrated Both telemedicine and contact tracing raise
in urban areas.67 To scale real-time sharing of concerns over personal and data privacy, as
health data, 4G, and eventually 5G, services these systems collect personal information and
will need to be more widely available in MENA a number of these apps don’t include privacy-
countries. For contact tracing, a large percentage preserving mechanisms, like anonymising data
of the population must also have smartphones. or reporting the data in an aggregated format.70
Education
According to UNICEF, 110 million school-aged Grade 10 students to help them access digital
children in the MENA region stayed at home resources.74,75 The pandemic has renewed MENA
because of school closures.71 To limit further governments’ commitment to online education
disruptions to student learning, governments delivery.
and academic institutions in MENA have
Online learning platforms: Governments
expanded the number of online educational
across the MENA region have responded to
applications, platforms and repositories
the pandemic by upgrading existing e-learning
available to help parents, teachers and school
platforms or setting up new ones. The UAE, for
administrators continue to educate students.
instance, put its new online learning system
“Due to the lockdown,
The use of online learning tools during the “In This Together Dubai” into action in the first
we had to stop
pandemic builds on previous government weeks of the crisis.76 Their Ministry of Education
schools in the
investment in digital education. Governments also launched the Alef platform, which
middle of the second
in the region were supporting investments in specialises in providing lessons in mathematics,
semester. Within four
e-learning before the start of the pandemic.72 the Matvak platform, aimed at providing early
days, we succeeded
For example, investment raised by education childhood education, and the Nahla and Nahil
in populating a new
technology startups in MENA grew from just platforms, which specialise in raising Arabic
platform called
US$2 million in 2017 to more than US$23 million reading skills. These platforms will be available
study.ekb.eg where
in 2020.73 Before the lockdown, only 30% of to all students in both the government and
students could access
higher education students took online courses in private education systems. The UAE’s Ministry
all the resources free
the region. During the pandemic, this shot up to of Education has decided to complete the
of charge”
100% of university students. The UAE Ministry of 2019/2020 academic school year online, through
Ahmed Daher, Deputy
Minister for Education. Education is expected to expand its investment its e-learning platforms.77
in e-learning initiatives by 60% to a value of
Egypt continued the school year through a
US$7.1 billion in 2023. As part of its Vision 2030,
multitude of national online platforms adopted
Egypt’s Ministry of Education connected 2,530
or launched by the Ministry of Education.
secondary schools to fibre-optic internet in 2018,
According to Ahmed Daher, Deputy Minister
with wireless access points in every classroom,
for Education, “Due to the lockdown, we had
and distributed 700,000 tablets among
17 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
to stop schools in the middle of the second Online repositories of learning content: A
semester. Within four days, we succeeded in number of governments in MENA have also
populating a new platform called study.ekb.eg launched online knowledge repositories. The
where students could access all the resources UAE Ministry of Education has launched an
free of charge”. The platform was the new site of online library that allows teachers and students
the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, first launched in to view and interact with the learning curriculum
2016, one of the largest online knowledge hubs. electronically and to download electronic copies
It gives students, researchers and the public of books.81
access to “aggregated and curated content in
Despite the noticeable expansion of online
different sciences and humanities from 30 major
learning platforms in MENA to ensure education
publishers all over the world”. It is tailored to
continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the
provide learning objects and digital material for
unplanned and rapid shift to e-learning has
the curriculum, providing content by grade level
revealed glaring gaps in the region’s education
(kindergarten through secondary) and subject.78
system preparedness. Students who are unable
“In another 10 days, we introduced a social
to afford high-speed internet connections or
learning platform called Edmodo’’, explained
the devices necessary to participate in online
the Deputy Minister. The edtech platform was
classes have been excluded from e-learning
selected to deliver remote instruction to the K-12
activities.82 Countries such as Lebanon and
student body. Illustrating how public-private
Egypt have sought to address this issue by
collaboration can generate solutions, the Deputy
providing students with free access to online
Minister further explained, “We engineered the
platforms, free internet bundles to compensate
business implementation for this use-case for
for increased internet usage, and SIM cards at no
Edmodo, and we tailored it for the Egyptian
cost. 83 As at June 2020, 13.5 million students and
education engine”. “We registered 18 million
1.3 million teachers across Egypt had registered
student accounts and have 11 million students
on the Ministry of Education’s platform.84 The
actively using the platform”.79 In Saudi Arabia,
government is providing servers, screens
the government has launched a new national
and tablets to 25,000 public schools.85 An
online platform targeting 6 million K-12 students
agreement with cellular providers has allowed
in public schools. Bahrain restructured its
the government to provide free access to its
EduNet portal and Jordan introduced an entirely
Knowledge Bank educational resource through
new platform, Darsak (“your course”), to deliver
a form of zero-rating, whereby activities on
courses online. Qatar announced the activation
the site require zero data.86 The online system
of an online platform using video lessons to
has also placed immense pressure on working
provide early childhood education (up to third
parents, who have had to balance guiding their
grade). In Morocco, the National Documentation
children on new platforms alongside work
Centre launched a platform, “ABHATOO”, to
commitments.87
provide educational content by subject area,
addressing different grade levels in accordance MENA governments and universities that were
with the national curricula.80 previously reluctant to formally recognise
18 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
online education are now setting up online so there were only an average of 15 students in
courses. While online education can’t replace a classroom, allowing them to practice social
classroom learning, the accelerated use of distancing measures. According to Ahmed
blended learning methods (which combine the Daher, Deputy Minister of Education, “Students
advantages of in-person learning with online are expected to attend class at home, and
technology tools), can help close literacy, digital teaching continues from there in the classroom:
and learning gaps. As the pandemic eases and the teacher does not revise the material again”.
countries in MENA begin to see students return This new level of trust and reliance on learning
to the classroom, they can ensure long-term at home may be the lasting impact of the
resilience in education by developing a holistic pandemic, even when all students return to the
learning ecosystem that integrates classroom classroom.
learning with remote learning solutions.88 Egypt
reopened schools in October by adopting a
blended learning approach, where students were
divided into two groups and asked to come to
class every alternate day. This reduced numbers
19 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Case Study 1
How Saudi Arabia’s proactive ICT policies enabled
rapid e-learning adoption
Saudi Arabia’s successful response to the educational challenges brought about by
COVID-19 was largely due to existing efforts towards widespread adoption of e-learning.
Proactive ICT policies and the 2019-2023 ICT strategy had emphasised e-learning and facilitated
its growing adoption.89
Impact of the pandemic technologies at all levels of education for years, in
When the pandemic hit, Saudi Arabia’s schools were response to growing demand for education. To increase
among the earliest to close, shutting on March 8th. The the quality of these virtual classrooms and ensure students
majority of schools and universities developed e-learning stay connected, the Saudi Research and Innovation
programmes so that students could continue their Network (Maeen) partnered with the Integrated Telecom
education online. Company to “increase the data quota between some of the
Kingdom’s universities and King Abdulaziz City for Science
Innovative response and Technology free of charge”.94
Saudi Arabia launched a comprehensive online educational
system in March, with 20 TV channels, a YouTube channel Future strategy
and an iEN National Educational Portal.90 The use of The Kingdom has already allocated 19%
television was to ensure that students who didn’t have nearly 19% of its 2020 federal budget
sufficient digital access or skills were not excluded. The to education, building the required
government had insight into this challenge from its efforts infrastructure necessary to increase
nearly a decade ago to promote virtual education, where resilience. Saudi Arabia’s ICT Strategy
nearly 50% of students and teachers were dissatisfied, 2019-2023 placed considerable focus on e-learning,
and computer literacy was a key concern.91 The country highlighting the Kingdom’s plan to further develop its
was better prepared due to this experience, and many digital ecosystem and attract Ed-tech start-ups.
of the kingdom’s leading universities92 had the necessary
infrastructure and training to roll out e-learning for
all students.93 The Ministry of Higher Education had
been advocating for the adoption of communication
20 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Retail
Movement restrictions due to COVID-19 forced and have been growing at a rate of 30% annually
consumers to switch to online retail channels. since 2014, twice the rate of the rest of the
Retailers in the MENA region had to quickly region. The UAE has developed several strategic
establish or expand their online presence by projects with an eye to bolstering e-commerce
developing websites and mobile applications to in the region. For instance, the 2.1-million square
stay connected to consumers. foot Dubai CommerCity is the first free zone
dedicated to e-commerce in the region. Its goal
Within the MENA region, countries such as
is to create an environment that encourages
the UAE and Saudi Arabia were ripe for rapid
innovation and attracts foreign investment in
e-commerce expansion (see Exhibit below).
e-commerce.96
GCC countries and Egypt, account for 80% of
the e-commerce market in the MENA region,
UAE leads the way in e-commerce penetration in MENA
E-commerce penetration
(as % of retail)
5
4
4.2
3.8
3
3
2 2.5
1.9
1
MENA GCC UAE Saudi Egypt
Arabia
0
Source: Bain and Company, 2017; EIU analysis.
21 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Shift to online shopping: During the pandemic, operates in 38 countries across the Middle East,
the shift to e-commerce in the region has Africa and Asia, is set to use robots to pack
been exponential.97 This is illustrated by PwC’s online grocery orders in Saudi Arabia and the
Global Consumer Insights Survey, which found UAE. Carrefour’s customers will be able to place
that 51% of consumers in MENA were buying orders via its online platform and Takeoff’s (a
groceries “mainly” or “exclusively” online/ US-based technology company) automated
by phone and that 92% are likely to continue technology, will ensure that robots within the
shopping online.98 To meet this demand, brick Micro-Fulfilment Centres (MFCs) fulfil the order
and mortar stores in the region have developed in less than 5 minutes for pick-up or delivery.103
or bolstered their online presence. Majid The MFCs will process Carrefour’s online
Al-Futtaim Retail, the leading shopping mall, orders to replace the manual picking method
communities, retail and leisure pioneer across currently used. Dubai has also seen the opening
the Middle East, accelerated the launch of its of a cafe run by Robots. Robo cafe, located in
online marketplace platform and expanded its Dubai’s festival city mall, runs with zero human
last-mile delivery capacity with new transport intervention and uses robots to take orders,
partnerships to meet increased online orders prepare and deliver food orders.104
in UAE.99 According to Hans Weiss, the CEO of
Pandemic-related restrictions and concerns
Majid Al-Futtaim Retail, the online platform had
about safety have helped grow e-commerce in
“witnessed 400% growth in the number of orders
new markets, however, building on this growth
placed (in the retail sector) and 300% growth in
requires leaders in the region to facilitate brick
online sales between March-May 2020 versus the
and mortar retailers’ expansion online first by
same period in 2019.”100 Another example of this
strengthening electronic transactions systems,
move to e-commerce by brick and mortar stores
the keystone of e-commerce.105 Countries
is Emaar Malls in the UAE, which partnered with
like Saudi Arabia and Egypt have made some
Noon, a Dubai- and Riyadh-based e-commerce
progress by setting up regulatory frameworks
company, to open The Dubai Mall virtual store.
to enable electronic payments106, but in many
To keep up with demand for online-shopping,
MENA countries, few policies or programmes
a number of e-commerce stores expanded
exist to support electronic transactions and
their offerings during the pandemic. Dubai-
e-commerce expansion. The transition to
headquartered Talabat launched a 30-minute
e-commerce has been especially difficult for
door-step grocery delivery service “Talabat Mart”
small businesses – 67% of small and medium
in some of its markets, including Kuwait and the
enterprises in the GCC region do not have
UAE101, and is expanding the same to Egypt by
e-commerce platforms, according to a survey
the end of this year. Food delivery platforms like
by logistics firm UPS.107 Lack of awareness, high
Deliveroo, Otlob in Egypt and Careem NOW
tariffs and complex regulatory regimes make
in Saudi Arabia are offering groceries on their
it difficult for startups to get established, and
platforms alongside the option to order meals
existing small businesses to compete with
online from restaurants.102
multinational e-commerce operators.
Contactless-delivery: The region is also
exploring the use of robotics for contactless
delivery. Carrefour, a hypermarket chain that
22 © The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2021FROM CRISIS TO OPPORTUNITY: STRENGTHENING MENA’S DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM
IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Case Study 2
A developed fintech market enabling e-commerce
in Bahrain
Bahrain’s developed fintech market has acted as a key enabler in facilitating the
expansion of e-commerce. Fintech solutions, such as digital wallets and payment
gateways, are a key part of the ecommerce infrastructure, providing a digital alternative for
making essential purchases when in-store shopping was restricted during the pandemic.
Context and pandemic preparedness
Bahrain is home to the oldest financial centre in the Gulf,
and has been working to develop financial technology
BenefitPay, Bahrain’s
for years. In 2014, two licenses were introduced that
national smartphone
allowed entry of non-banking companies into banking
payment app saw:
services. In 2017, the Central Bank of Bahrain announced
new regulations to create a regulatory sandbox that • Usage increase by 1000%
would allow fintech firms to experiment with banking
• 28% of the Bahraini population
ideas and solutions. The Bahrain Economic Development
registered on the app
Board entered a partnership with Singapore Fintech
Consortium and Dubai-based Trucial Investment Partners • Remittances sent increase by
to develop the ecosystem and regulatory framework for 1257% in March 2020 alone
the Kingdom.108 • Remittances total of US$275
million3
Pandemic response
The Kingdom strived to emphasise fintech as the new
norm once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, introducing
policies such as reducing the minimum value needed to Future implications
make a transaction on BenefitPay, the Kingdom’s national Across the region, there is immense potential for further
smartphone payments app. As a result of these policies, development of fintech. Rapid growth of mobile phone
BenefitPay saw usage surge by over 1000%, with more than penetration is creating a market for mobile payment
28% of the Bahraini population registered on the app.109 solutions and other fintech products. However, the
The national electronic wallet reported a 1257% increase in pandemic has also shown that fintech is an ecosystem
the number of remittances sent through its Fawri+ service enabler that can unlock further technological adoption and
in March alone, amounting to almost US$275 million.110 The development in e-commerce.
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism also launched
a ‘virtual mall’ in April. The digital platform, with payment
gateways to facilitate online purchases, was launched
with more than 24 shopping categories for consumers,
including baby needs, electronics, homewares, fashion,
and books and stationery, and over 100 retailers registered
in the mall.111
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IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Tourism
Tourism is a major economic sector in many accurate contactless temperature measurement.
MENA countries and has become a strategic The airport is also using an AI-powered face
component of the diversification plans of oil-rich mask detection system, which can automatically
economies in the region. With health and safety detect if someone is not wearing a mask within
remaining a top concern for many travellers, the airport.113
the tourism industry in MENA has had to
Airlines in the region are also using technology
introduce innovations to manage tourist travel,
driven interventions to ensure passenger safety.
not only to minimise current risks, but also to
As the UAE’s Etihad airlines resumed flights to 58
prepare for post-COVID-19 travel. This process
destinations in July 2020, the airline introduced
of adjustment and adaptation has required
a COVID-19 risk-assessment tool powered by AI
the deployment of an array of technologies to
that was developed in partnership with Medius
prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus on
AI, an Austrian health-technology company. The
mass transit systems and to ensure that national
22-question assessment reportedly estimates
travel protocols meet new international and
the probability that a passenger may have
country-specific requirements.
contracted COVID-19, thus encouraging the
Touchless travel: Touchless data-entry such passenger to make informed decisions about
as gesture control and touchless document whether or not to travel.114
scanning are being tested at airports across
Virtual travel: Virtual reality (VR) technology
the region. Abu Dhabi International Airport
has been used by airlines and tourism boards
stands out in the region for installing self-
for many years to market travel destinations to
cleaning escalator handrails, replacing
customers. Now, VR is being used to make arts,
elevator buttons with touchless alternatives
culture and new destinations more accessible
and screening passengers upon arrival using
to people who aren’t able to experience these
contactless technology. The technology,
due to movement restrictions. These tools
designed by Australian technology firm Elenium
are expected to complement real time travel
Automation, helps identify passengers with
experience once travel restrictions are lifted.
medical conditions, potentially even those with
For example, a popular online platform for arts
early stages of COVID-19 by monitoring the
and culture offers Artificial Reality (AR) and
temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate
VR views from popular tourist destinations in
of any person using an airport touchpoint.112
UAE. It allows users to access content from
Hamad International Airport in Doha has
more than 2000 leading museums and archives
also been digitally transformed. The airport
around the world at just a click of a button.115
has introduced fully autonomous sanitisation
Jordan is using the same platform to showcase
robots, ultraviolet disinfection tunnels to
a virtual photography tour of Petra. The free-to-
disinfect passenger luggage, as well as baggage
use platform allows people to have immersive
trolleys and tubs. Furthermore, Doha airport
experiences through high-resolution images,
provides thermal screening cameras to measure
videos and virtual reality, and to explore
passengers for fever and smart screening
artwork and cultural artefacts from top cultural
helmets for staff, which use AI to provide
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