5G & Digital Infrastructure: PNG’s regulator NICTA says 5G is being released as preparations near completion, alongside a new integrated ICT regulatory database to strengthen oversight and support future services. Digital Inclusion: ICT Minister Robert Naguri told the Digital Transformation Summit 2026 that digital progress must reach every citizen—rural communities, women, youth, people with disabilities and small businesses—backed by trust, secure systems and better connectivity. Data Unification: Government plans to align the national census, National ID register and electoral roll to end fragmented data across agencies, with directives pushing population data to connect to electoral and ID reforms. Election Tech Rollout: PNG is moving toward biometric and electronic voting in phases, starting with photo-roll trials in selected Highlands provinces and NCD, with the Electoral Commission deciding readiness. AI Scams Crackdown: PNG is drafting cyber laws targeting AI deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation, as scammers increasingly use AI-manipulated images to run Facebook giveaways and impersonation fraud. Roads & Health Skills: A new PNG-Australia supported training plan aims to grow the road engineering workforce, while Divine Word University medical alumni completed ultrasound skills workshops to improve patient diagnostics. Modular Hotels: CSCEC says it’s seen explosive growth in modular construction demand and has shipped modules to PNG for MRDC Heritage Hotels, including the newly opened Kikori, Kutubu and Kerema sites. Geopolitics: PNG will close Taiwan’s trade mission in Port Moresby to reaffirm One China policy, a move Beijing welcomed and Taipei opposed. Pacific Shock: Coverage highlights how the U.S.–Iran war is driving higher costs and uncertainty across Pacific island economies, including PNG’s heavy reliance on imported energy.