Ooredoo Group Pledges $1.1bn to Bridge Digital Divide

In a significant legal development, Qatar’s Ooredoo Group has committed a cumulative investment of $1.1bn for the period 2024-2026 to bridge the digital divide in developing markets. The pledge was made as part of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Partner Connect Digital Coalition.

The investment aims to enhance mobile coverage, upgrade the quality of service, and drive digital transformation in Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine, Iraq, and the Maldives. This initiative is expected to positively impact the lives of over 109 million people across these regions.

The announcement was made by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin during the opening day of the GSMA Ministerial Programme at Mobile World Congress 2024.

Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, MD and Group CEO, of Ooredoo, emphasized the urgency of bridging the digital divide, stating, “With 2.6 billion people still offline, we are proud to step up and answer the call for pledges through ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, reaffirming our commitment to investing in innovation and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.”

The United Nations’ focus on universal connectivity, outlined in the Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, aligns closely with Ooredoo’s vision. Through collaborative efforts facilitated by Partner2Connect, Ooredoo aims to accelerate connectivity and promote equitable access to digital opportunities for all.

Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al-Thani (pictured), who was most recently the Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Governance Officer, In this role, Sheikh Ali oversaw Ooredoo’s global legal activities and policies, as well as ethics, brand protection, compliance and regulatory affairs, including process automation and anticipation of future transactional needs.