NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 28 – A single dollar of digital investment could yield an $8.3 return in a country’s digital economy, according to Huawei’s Global Digitalization Index (GDI) unveiled at GITEX Dubai 2024.
Developed in collaboration with the International Data Corporation (IDC), the GDI assesses the maturity of a country’s ICT sector by evaluating digital infrastructure elements like computing, storage, cloud technology, and green energy.
The report projects that digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drive 70 percent of global economic growth over the next five years. However, Huawei warns that some nations may fall behind due to uneven investment in digital development.
“Our hope is that the GDI will offer every country a clearer vision and strategy for digital and intelligent transformation,” said Leo Chen, Huawei’s Senior Vice President and President of Enterprise Sales.
Reshaping industries with tech
The report notes that less than 50 percent of devices are currently connected, with computing remaining costly, energy-intensive, and in limited supply. AI penetration across industries sits at just 12 percent, and there are challenges in ecosystem maturity, talent readiness, and policy support.
“Complex issues like data silos, process integration, retraining labor forces, and cybersecurity concerns require collaborative, tailored, and secure solutions,” Chen added.
These solutions are already reshaping industries like energy, where AI and IoT insights are optimizing resource allocation, reducing waste, and streamlining operations. Huawei is working with partners on specialized solutions, including national government cloud services and ICT talent development programs.
“Huawei is ready to collaborate with more customers and partners to drive industrial digital and intelligent transformation, benefiting people and businesses worldwide,” Chen said.
Huawei hopes that the GDI will aid policymakers and business leaders in measuring digital transformation progress, supporting its vision of making digital technology more accessible across sectors.
