Recently, the law for an AI and IT Ministry was sent back to committees after failing to pass a vote in parliament. Meanwhile, the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) is leading some of the digital transformation work in Lebanon, and there is a structural conflict of interest happening, as I’ve heard from different sources inside the government.
Rather than read this as a turf dispute between institutions, or debate which political agendas favor which arrangement, I want to step back and present a different question: what would it take to build a coherent, well-governed digital transformation strategy in Lebanon? 
The answer starts with common ground for dialogue among state institutions, the private sector, civil society, universities, trade unions, and experts, to formulate a comprehensive national strategy for digital transformation. What follows are eight starting principles. This is not a final plan, but an invitation, to everyone who believes they need to be included, to join this conversation. 
First, we need to revisit “our mission”. Digital transformation should be not only a tool for enhancing state efficiency, but also a foundation for a modern, transparent state capable of delivering high-quality public services to all while protecting citizens’ data and cybersecurity.
Second, we need to know who we are as a state, a country, and a citizenry. Our economy, our digital infrastructure, the distribution of our population, the recurring shocks of war and challenges: all of it shapes what is possible. We cannot borrow targets from elsewhere, make unrealistic claims like “being a digital hub in the region”, and expect to achieve it. 
Lebanon has some real strengths: a highly skilled population with a lot of potential among our citizens, and we can and should capitalize on that. And unlike many of the countries around us, we are a democratic state.
Third, people come first. Every policy and digital service needs to be designed to serve the people who will use it. Therefore, they should be easily accessible, inclusive, and built for all the people in Lebanon.
Fourth, rights are not an afterthought. They need to be included from the get-go: from data protection and privacy to cybersecurity, and from transparency to accountability. If we want to gain citizens’ trust, this is our top priority. Good governance is what could make this strategy a success. The main reason the suggested law for the new AI ministry didn’t pass in parliament is a lack of good governance within a clear framework. A durable strategy needs clearly defined duties, separation of responsibilities, structured channels for collaboration, independent monitoring and evaluation, and real checks and balances between all these bodies.
​Fifth, treat data as a public good, while distinguishing between public data that improves services and private personal data that requires protection. This calls for transparency, with security, safety, and data protection in place. To have that, clear processes for inter-public-sector data and a clear data protection law must be in place. 
​Sixth, infrastructure comes first. Structurally, Lebanon’s digital transformation must keep pace with its physical one. One cannot outrun the other. Unreliable electricity, weak internet infrastructure, and limited cloud computing are impactful constraints. This is our reality, and it should shape the sequencing of any strategy. 
Seventh, the digital economy and innovation are key for Lebanon, but the term is often used too loosely. Concretely, this means supporting small and medium enterprises and providing policy tweaks, programs, and infrastructure that let them grow over the next decade, allowing them to support this digital economy. 
Eighth, technology is not a goal by itself. It always needs to follow a human problem worth solving, serve the public interest, operate within clear legal and ethical processes, and keep protecting humans at the center of anything it does.
Again, this is a starting point to creating a multi-stakeholder conversation that tackles the strategic digital transformation plan in Lebanon. It is not a final plan. Together, we can achieve our priorities of building more efficient institutions, a more competitive economy, and a digital society that respects rights and fosters trust between the state and the citizen.
At SMEX, this work is already underway. We are meeting with stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society, sharing policy recommendations, and exchanging directly with ministers and ministries on this file, and we will keep listening and contributing at every step.
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