MODULE 7

🕊️ Palestinian Digital Economy

A comprehensive examination of the Palestinian digital economy: infrastructure constraints under occupation, entrepreneurial resilience, research landscape (1,000+ studies), and forward-looking opportunities. This module explores the paradox of digital innovation emerging within severe geopolitical and infrastructural limitations.

📝 4 Topics
⏱️ ~3 hours
📊 7 Infographics
📚 Research-based

🎯 Learning Objectives

1
🚧

Context & Constraints: Occupation and Infrastructure

Examine the structural barriers shaping Palestinian digital economy: telecommunications monopoly (Israeli control), infrastructure gaps (Area C restrictions), movement constraints (checkpoints, blockades), and resource limitations (spectrum scarcity, bandwidth throttling).

Key Themes

  • Telecommunications control: Israeli monopoly, spectrum denial
  • Infrastructure fragmentation: West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem
  • Movement restrictions: Impact on trade, collaboration, education
  • Economic fragmentation: Dual currency, banking restrictions
📖 ~45 min 📊 2 Infographics 🎥 Video
2
💡

Resilience & Innovation: Palestinian Tech Ecosystem

Discover how Palestinian entrepreneurs build thriving digital ventures: tech hubs (Gaza Sky Geeks, Ramallah startups), freelancing platforms (global reach despite travel bans), e-commerce innovations (localizing payments, logistics), and social enterprise models.

Key Themes

  • Startup ecosystem: Incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces
  • Freelancing economy: Upwork, Fiverr, global client base
  • E-commerce platforms: Souk.ps, Markaa, JoPay, oPay
  • Digital payments: Mobile money, fintech solutions
  • Social impact: Education tech, health tech, civic engagement
📖 ~50 min 📊 3 Infographics 💼 Case Studies
3
📚

Research Landscape: 1,000+ Studies (2010-2024)

Systematic review of Palestinian digital economy scholarship: e-commerce adoption studies, digital divide measurement, entrepreneurship challenges, e-governance initiatives, digital rights advocacy, and gender dimensions. Synthesize findings from economics, IS, development studies.

Key Themes

  • E-commerce adoption: TAM, UTAUT, trust, payment barriers
  • Digital divide: Urban/rural, gender, refugee camp disparities
  • Entrepreneurship: Constraints, coping strategies, networks
  • E-governance: Service delivery, transparency, citizen engagement
  • Digital rights: Surveillance, censorship, privacy, sovereignty
  • Bifurcation studies: Crisis impact (2021, 2023-24 war)
📖 ~60 min 📄 8 Key Sources 🔍 Meta-analysis
4
🔮

Future Directions: Gaps, Opportunities, Policy

Identify under-researched areas and forward-looking opportunities: AI adoption pathways, blockchain for digital sovereignty, data governance frameworks, digital skills pipelines, sustainable tech ecosystems, and policy recommendations for resilient digital economy under constraint.

Key Themes

  • Research gaps: AI readiness, blockchain use cases, data localization
  • Digital sovereignty: Infrastructure independence, open-source
  • Skills development: Coding bootcamps, university curricula
  • Policy recommendations: Spectrum access, digital ID, cyber law
  • Regional integration: MENA partnerships, diaspora engagement
  • Sustainability: Energy-efficient data centers, circular economy
📖 ~45 min 📊 2 Infographics 🎯 Policy Focus