In a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between Sudan and its highly skilled diaspora professionals, H.E. Ambassador Badr El Din Abdullah hosted a strategic meeting bringing together H.E. Eng. Ahmed Dirdiri Ghandour, Sudan’s Minister of Digital Transformation and Communications, with leading Sudanese experts and professionals in the fields of telecommunications and information technology residing in the State of Qatar.

The meeting was attended by members of the Executive Office of the Sudanese ICT Professionals Association in Qatar (SIPAQ), alongside representatives of the Sudanese diplomatic mission in Doha.

During the session, H.E. the Minister outlined several key national initiatives and strategic projects currently being implemented by the Ministry to accelerate Sudan’s digital transformation agenda and modernize the country’s telecommunications and information technology infrastructure.

Among the initiatives highlighted was the development of the national “Baladna” platform, envisioned as a unified digital gateway for government electronic services. The platform aims to enhance interoperability and data integration across government entities, improving operational efficiency and accelerating public service delivery.

The Minister also presented updates on the National Cloud project, which has reached advanced stages of implementation. The initiative seeks to localize government data hosting within Sudan while establishing a secure digital infrastructure aligned with international cybersecurity standards and best practices.

In addition, discussions covered the Ministry’s healthcare digital transformation initiative, focused on implementing integrated networking systems connecting national hospitals and healthcare centers to improve medical records management and enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Representatives of SIPAQ showcased the association’s ongoing professional and community contributions in supporting and empowering Sudanese ICT professionals, while strengthening their competitiveness in regional and international markets.

The meeting also highlighted the strategic objectives of the SIPAQ Cisco Academy, which aims to deliver specialized training programs for Sudanese engineers in advanced networking and cybersecurity disciplines. The initiative seeks to bridge technical skills gaps, facilitate knowledge transfer to Sudan, and support national efforts aimed at youth empowerment and the development of the digital economy.

The engagement reflected the growing importance of collaboration between government institutions and Sudanese expertise abroad in supporting Sudan’s long-term digital transformation ambitions and fostering sustainable technological advancement.