Digital Agenda: The Bright Side of Cyprus and Its Technological Prospects

Renowned international speakers, top Cypriot innovators, and key government officials came together at the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit 2024 to discuss the future of digital transformation and global trends in innovation, talent management, and creativity.

In his opening remarks, President Nikos Christodoulidis hailed the conference as a pivotal event for Cyprus' digital transformation, emphasizing that it “extends beyond our country’s borders.” A key announcement from the government was the Cabinet’s approval of digital signatures, a long-awaited move that marks a new era for citizens and businesses. Additionally, the government will now subsidize the purchase of digital IDs for citizens.

President Nikos Christodoulidis with SppMedia CEO Christis Lottides

The plethora of knowledge and forward-thinking discussions began at 9:00 AM and concluded at 6:00 PM, hosted at a fully packed Nicosia Municipal Theatre.

In a notable address, the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, announced two new digital projects aimed at improving residents' quality of life, focusing on communication and citizen engagement with local institutions.

The conference highlighted two central themes: the evolution of artificial intelligence across various sectors, and Cyprus' significant potential to become a regional technology hub, provided it embraces a model of digital transformation.

Former Prime Minister of Estonia, Taavi Roivas, praised Cyprus' future prospects, particularly in attracting digital nomads, and emphasized the need for state digitalization, drawing parallels with Estonia's success.

David Rowan, founder and first editor of Wired Magazine

Speakers Calum Chase and David Rowan delved into the possibilities of artificial intelligence, while renowned talent mentor Beth Davies—who led HR at both Apple and Tesla—outlined strategies for developing and managing the skills of the next generation.

Andreas Neocleous, CEO of CYTA, also made a major announcement, stating that by 2025, Cyprus will be the first country in Europe with 100% 5G and Fiber coverage. However, Neocleous criticized the state’s approach of choosing outdated technology in areas like airports, calling for higher standards and technological superiority.

Beth Davies, former Head of HR at Tesla and Apple, on stage at the Digital Agenda Summit

Jason Bevan, former Creative Development Head & VP of Marketing at Warner Bros. EMEA, captivated attendees with his insights into the world of film production, urging boldness and out-of-the-box creativity in executing ideas.

Jason Bevan, former Creative Development Head & VP of Marketing at Warner Bros.

The summit also showcased four of Cyprus' top startups, highlighting their experiences in developing products through innovative ideas. Former Deputy Minister of Innovation, Kyriakos Kokkinos, provided a promising outlook for Cyprus, announcing the country’s remarkable 15th position in the EU Innovation Scoreboard, ranking first among southern European countries.

As the DA24 Summit concluded, attendees transitioned to the Cyprus Cocktail Festival, where the city of Nicosia merged with the summit in a spectacular evening event. Hundreds of people visited the Cyprus Museum, which remained open as part of the festivities.

This year’s conference was held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, with key sponsors including the Bank of Cyprus and CYTA.

Supported by:
Google - LLPO Law Firm - EY Cyprus - Green Energy Group - JCC Smart, Techisland

Official Transport Sponsor:
BMW by Pilakoutas Group

Official Airline Sponsor:
Aegean Airlines

Participating Institutions:
University of Nicosia, European University Cyprus, Limassol University, Frederick University, Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics

Alpha Stage Innovation Scene Sponsored by:
Invest Cyprus

Under the Auspices of:
The Presidency of Cyprus and the Municipality of Nicosia

Organized by:
SppMedia Events, Kathimerini, V+O Group