(Ecofin Agency) - The Algerian government is set to advance its information society by integrating ICT across all economic sectors. A clear roadmap has been established to achieve these goals.

Algeria is getting ready to implement a new digital transformation strategy. The final version of this plan was submitted to the presidency in June for approval, as announced by Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitalization, in an interview with Algerian television on July 22.

According to Benmouloud, this strategy the first of its kind since independence aims to replace traditional paper-based management with digital management. It seeks to foster transparency, combat bureaucracy, ensure equitable access to information, and enhance economic performance while maintaining service quality.

The strategy, extending through 2029, addresses current socio-economic and cultural needs and is built on two key pillars: a forthcoming digitalization law and enhanced cybersecurity. The digitalization law will regulate and streamline the digital sector, removing administrative barriers and addressing technological shortcomings. Cybersecurity will be strengthened through collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s digitalization project aims for local sustainable development. Launched in 2019, it has made significant progress over the past two years to overcome challenges related to limited resources, bureaucratic resistance, and sectoral complexities.

Initial results were evident in the latest report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released in December 2023. Algeria showed substantial improvement in the ICT Development Index (IDI), climbing from 102nd to 88th place out of 169 ITU member countries—a leap of 14 positions. This progress is reflected in a score of 77.8 points, surpassing the African average (47.4 points), the Arab average (74.5 points), and the average for middle-income countries (62 points).