Politics · Saudi Arabia · 16 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia says $100 billion was mobilized to narrow the digital divide
Saudi Arabia and its partners mobilized $100 billion through an initiative to expand connectivity, Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha said in Doha.
He spoke at a ministerial roundtable during the International Telecommunication Union’s Plenipotentiary Conference.
The number of people without internet access fell from 2.6 billion to 2 billion over the past four years, he said.
But about 90% of computing capacity for advanced AI is concentrated in two countries, limiting access to the technology.
Al-Swaha urged international partners to move beyond expanding internet connections and widen access to computing capacity so more countries can take part in the AI economy.
Saudi Arabia also said it is making land, computing resources and energy available to support broader access, and backed the Doha Declaration.
Saudi Arabia says it helped mobilize $100 billion with international partners and the International Telecommunication Union to narrow the digital divide.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha made the statement at a ministerial roundtable in Doha.
He called for international partnerships to expand access not only to connectivity but also to computing capacity.
The number of people without internet access has fallen from 2.6 billion to 2 billion over the past four years, he said.
About 90% of the computing capacity needed to develop and operate advanced AI models is concentrated in two countries, he said.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, its international partners and the International Telecommunication Union. Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha presented the figures.
- What
- They mobilized $100 billion under the Partnership for Connectivity initiative, which Saudi Arabia says helped narrow the digital divide.
- When
- The minister spoke at a roundtable reported on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- A ministerial roundtable in Doha, during the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference.
- Why
- To narrow the digital divide and broaden access to connectivity and computing capacity, including for AI.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The number of people without internet access fell from 2.6 billion to 2 billion, according to Al-Swaha.
Al-Swaha spoke at a ministerial roundtable in Doha during the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference.
- Funding mobilized
- $100 billion
- People without internet access
- Fell from 2.6 billion to 2 billion over four years
- AI computing capacity
- About 90% is concentrated in two countries
- Location
- Doha
- Initiative
- Partnership for Connectivity
What people are saying
The Kingdom, alongside its partners and the International Telecommunication Union, contributed to mobilizing $100 billion under the Partnership for Connectivity initiative, which helped narrow the digital divide.