The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) announced today, Monday, that the year 2024 marked exceptional successes in its operations, emphasizing its commitment to continuing its role in developing digital infrastructure and enhancing its leadership in supporting the digital economy.
This was stated in a speech delivered by the Acting Chairman of the Board of CITRA, Engineer Abdullah Al-Ajmi, during a press conference held this evening to review the Authority's achievements in 2024 and its vision for 2025.
Al-Ajmi noted that CITRA achieved record revenues exceeding 75 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately USD 243.4 million) during the first half of the fiscal year 2024-2025. These revenues resulted from improved operational performance and increased collection in vital areas, including licenses for landing stations, number allocations for telecom companies, and revenues from leased international circuits.
He added that, to address challenges related to the maintenance of maritime communication cables affecting service continuity, CITRA recently launched the new regional corridor connecting Kuwait to Frankfurt as a comprehensive alternative to traditional maritime routes. This corridor is characterized by low latency, making it a reliable option for major companies and international service providers, enabling secure and efficient data traffic from Kuwait to Europe via Iraq.
Al-Ajmi further explained that as part of CITRA's efforts to introduce the latest technologies in communication networks, last year witnessed the launch of the first phase of the direct extension registration service (.kw) in addition to the allocation of new frequencies in preparation for the rollout of advanced 5G technology (5G-A), which is the latest and highest standard in the telecommunications sector.
He stated that as part of CITRA's commitment to advancing the IT sector and keeping up with the latest developments, a land lease agreement was signed with Google to establish modern data centers for cloud computing services in Kuwait. This project is expected to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure and support digital transformation efforts in both the public and private sectors by providing advanced and secure cloud services, further enhancing Kuwait's position as a trusted regional hub for data and cloud computing services.
Al-Ajmi also mentioned that CITRA signed a memorandum of understanding last year with Huawei to develop the ICT sector. Additionally, it signed a contract with STC to lease a plot of 5,698.5 square meters for the construction of an administrative headquarters and a multi-story parking building in the capital governorate, representing a strategic step to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors and to support the ICT sector in Kuwait. This also aims to encourage investments that would improve infrastructure and boost the national economy.
He continued by stating that, in light of its commitment to organizing the telecommunications and IT sector and better meeting the needs of its users, CITRA introduced a new organizational structure last year. This included a comprehensive update of its departments and the establishment of new divisions to improve efficiency in regulating the sector. Additionally, the “Kashif" service was launched to display the name and number of the calling party for recipients, ensuring verification of incoming calls through Kuwait's telecom networks and reducing anonymous calls.
Al-Ajmi concluded by affirming CITRA's continued efforts throughout 2025 to develop the telecommunications and IT sector, enhance digital transformation, and support economic growth, with a focus on partnerships with the private sector and the adoption of global best practices.