AMMAN — Jordan has ranked first in the Arab world and 20th globally in cybersecurity, scoring 98.6 per cent on the Global Cybersecurity Index, according to Nidal Bitar, CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j).

 

Speaking at the “Invest in Digital Economy Forum” in Amman on Monday, held under the theme “Digital Transformation for a Sustainable Digital Economy,” Bitar said the achievement reflects the high competency of Jordanian youth and ICT companies, underscoring the Kingdom’s ability to compete internationally despite its small size and population, provided that supportive environments and opportunities are available, Al Mamlaka TV reported.

 

Jordan’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, he said, driven by a sector that includes around 2,000 specialised companies and 450 start-ups supported by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Jordanian Innovation Fund. The sector employs over 46,000 people and contributes approximately JD3.6 billion to the national economy, highlighting its growing role in GDP.

 

Bitar pointed to Jordan’s demographic advantage, with 7,000 to 8,000 graduates each year in ICT- and engineering-related fields from 39 universities and 51 community colleges. Some 81 per cent of universities offer ICT programmes, and about 22 per cent of graduates come from ICT disciplines. Women account for 40 per cent of these graduates, placing Jordan among regional leaders in women’s empowerment in the tech workforce.

 

He also highlighted Jordan’s global market access through 56 investment agreements and eight free trade agreements, which grant Jordanian ICT products and services full customs exemptions. Locally, investment incentives include reduced income tax rates of 5 per cent, compared with the standard 20 per cent, making the Kingdom an attractive hub for regional and international investors.

 

Major global firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, Huawei, and Concentrix have also chosen Jordan as a regional hub, he noted, citing this as proof of international confidence in Jordan’s human capital. Jordan is also the source of nearly 75 per cent of Arabic digital content online, he added.

 

The entrepreneurship ecosystem is gaining momentum, with incubators, accelerators, investment funds, and platforms such as StartupsJo.com, which features about 470 start-ups, according to Bitar.

 

He stressed Jordan’s growing specialisation in cybersecurity, big data, software development, mobile applications, and financial technology (FinTech), noting the Kingdom’s accelerating shift toward a cashless economy through initiatives like CliQ digital payments.

 

Bitar also pointed to emerging opportunities in digital health, tourism, e-learning, logistics — particularly in Aqaba, given its strategic location — as well as in energy through green hydrogen and renewable projects.