Once a land marked by smaller internal conflicts, Yemen has been thrown into turmoil by a devastating civil war involving regional powers since 2015. This conflict has taken an enormous toll on the civilian population, who have suffered not only from direct violence but also from hunger and disease due to the disruption of trade and aid. Also “Digital Yemen” is not a reality yet.
The impact of the war has been profound. Elections are long overdue, normal political activity has come to a grinding halt, and many state institutions have ceased to function altogether. In this environment, it’s no surprise that Yemen ranks so poorly in terms of digital governance. According to the latest UN e-government survey, Yemen is placed 178th out of 193 countries assessed. This low ranking is shared by other conflict-ridden or isolated nations like Afghanistan (184th) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (180th).
This ranking isn’t just a number—it’s a stark indicator of the severe infrastructural and administrative challenges that digital Yemen faces. The EGDI (or E-Government Development Index) takes into account various factors such as online services, telecommunications infrastructure, and human capital. When a country ranks this low, it suggests a significant lag in providing digital services to its citizens. It highlights the severe limitations in both physical infrastructure and the human resources needed to support a functional digital government.
Which is understandable in the case of Yemen. With many state institutions in disarray, there’s a lack of coordinated efforts to build and maintain the necessary telecommunications infrastructure. Also… the displacement of people and the dire economic situation make it challenging to invest in the education and training needed to enhance human capital.
Minimal focus on GovTech
Yemen is characterized by low TII (telecommunication infrastructure index), middle HCI (human capital index), and low EPI (e-participation index). These metrics paint a picture of a country struggling with basic infrastructure and the capacity to leverage digital technologies effectively.
According to the UN e-Government Knowledgebase, Yemen ranked 178th in e-governance and 163rd in e-participation out of 193 countries assessed in 2022. This places Yemen well below both the region and subregion averages, highlighting just how far it has to go in terms of digital development.
Also, a World Bank report focusing on the Middle East and North Africa identified Yemen, along with Libya and Iraq, as the only countries with minimal focus on GovTech. It’s not surprising when you consider that all three countries are suffering from conflict. Conflict inevitably disrupts efforts to build and maintain the infrastructure necessary for effective digital governance. It also (understandably) diverts resources away from long-term investments like education and digital skills development, which are critical for improving human capital.
On the human capital front, Yemen’s middle ranking suggests that while there are some ‘pockets’ of skilled individuals, the overall level of education and digital literacy is not sufficient to drive widespread adoption and innovation in digital services. This gap in skills and knowledge further complicates efforts to build a robust e-government ecosystem.
Connectivity issues in Yemen
At the start of 2024, there were 6.16 million internet users in Yemen, with internet penetration at just 17.7%. This low penetration rate means that the vast majority of Yemen’s population is still offline. Social media usage is even lower, with only 3.60 million social media users, which is about 10.3% of the population. This is a significant gap when you consider the global average and the potential social media has for facilitating communication, information sharing, and even civic engagement.
Also…digital Yemen had 20.83 million cellular mobile connections at the beginning of 2024. That might sound like a lot, but it’s only 59.8% of the total population. So, while many people have mobile phones, not all of them have access to reliable internet through these devices.
The low telecommunication infrastructure index in Yemen is a major roadblock. Many areas lack basic internet connectivity, which is essential for any e-government services. Without reliable internet access, implementing and using online public services becomes nearly impossible. This connectivity issue isn’t just a technical problem; it’s a fundamental barrier to progress.
The lack of internet also significantly impacts e-participation. Citizens can’t participate in digital governance processes if they can’t get online. This explains Yemen’s low e-participation index. Without the means to connect, people are left out of the conversation, unable to access information, engage with their government, or utilize digital services.
Final thoughts
I find it particularly concerning that Yemen has such a minimal focus on GovTech, especially given the potential benefits it could bring in terms of transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. GovTech solutions can help streamline administrative processes, reduce corruption, and improve service delivery—all of which are crucial for a country in crisis. However…the ongoing conflict makes it difficult to prioritize these and similar digital initiatives.
Sources:
https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-yemen?rq=yemen
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/190-Yemen
