An Analysis of the Council of Arab Economic Unity's Arab Digital Economy Strategy

Abstract

David Eaves, Lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS), was engaged by the Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) of the League of Arab States to conduct a critical review of the CAEU’s Arab Digital Economy Strategy. Experts from a variety of relevant backgrounds and profiles were selected from across Harvard schools and knowledge centers to participate in the review. Expert feedback was collected between May and July 2019 and compiled by David Eaves, Chair of digitalHKS. Reviewer biographies are available in the final sections of this report. In addition, interviews were held with representatives from a subset of Arab League countries to better understand the readiness of member countries to adopt programs proposed in the Arab Digital Economy Strategy, as well as surface any additional ideas or concerns related to digital and ICT strategic direction. The report is structured to highlight key strengths and weaknesses of the plan that emerged through expert evaluations of the Digital Economy Strategy, including considerations for the CAEU in the areas of technology policy design, economic growth and innovation, human rights, and governance. The report provides the authors of the Digital Economy Strategy guidance for where to focus further attention in subsequent rounds of strategic development.