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Cyprus Enterprises Accelerate Digital Transformation With Advanced Connectivity And AI

Overview Of Digital Advancements

Cyprus enterprises continue to drive a formidable digital transformation, as evidenced by the latest data from the Statistical Service (Cystat). In 2025, businesses across sectors have embraced faster internet connections, broadened the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and increased their reliance on robust business software.

Enhanced Connectivity And High-Speed Internet Adoption

The rapid evolution of digital infrastructure is underscored by key connectivity statistics. An impressive 98.2 per cent of enterprises now have a fixed internet connection, with 87.3 per cent reporting download speeds in excess of 100 Mbit/s – a staggering leap from 44.8 per cent in 2021. Contracted speeds generally occupy the 100–499 Mbit/s range (36.5 per cent), followed by ultra-fast connections of 1 Gbit/s and above (26.2 per cent). Notably, a mere 2 per cent of enterprises continue to operate below 30 Mbit/s.

Rising Momentum In E-Commerce And AI Integration

E-commerce has gained substantial traction with 23.9 per cent of enterprises receiving online orders in 2024. These orders were primarily placed through websites and apps, with company-managed platforms and marketplace sites recording 17.1 per cent and 14.1 per cent, respectively. Private consumers made up 21.9 per cent of online transactions, while business and public sectors accounted for 10 per cent.

The role of AI is also expanding. In 2025, 9.3 per cent of all enterprises have incorporated AI technologies – a significant rise from 2.6 per cent in 2021. This growth is strongly correlated with enterprise size, as large companies now report a 35.1 per cent usage rate compared to 15.3 per cent in medium-sized firms and 7.7 per cent in small enterprises. Among large organizations, AI adoption surged notably from 13 per cent in 2021.

Business Software And Operational Efficiency

Modern business systems in Cyprus increasingly depend on sophisticated software. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems lead with a 41 per cent adoption rate, followed by customer relationship management (CRM) solutions at 33.1 per cent. Additionally, 22.1 per cent of enterprises utilize business intelligence (BI) tools to enhance data analysis and reporting. The adoption of these technologies is more pronounced in larger enterprises, with ERP usage peaking at 82.4 per cent and BI tools employed by 75.3 per cent of large organizations.

Approximately 33.7 per cent of firms rely on in-house teams for data analytics, while 16 per cent opt to outsource these functions, highlighting a preference among medium and large companies for maintaining internal analytical operations.

Environmental Sustainability Through Digital Practices

In parallel with technological adoption, an increasing number of enterprises are integrating ICT tools to mitigate environmental impacts. About 25.4 per cent leverage digital solutions to curb energy consumption, and 22.3 per cent implement practices aimed at reducing material use and boosting recycling efficiencies. When retiring ICT equipment, 68.6 per cent recycle unused devices, 53.2 per cent retain them as spare parts, and 32.6 per cent sell, donate, or return them.

Survey Parameters And Implications

The 2025 survey encompasses 5,232 enterprises with ten or more employees, spanning diverse sectors including manufacturing, construction, trade, transport, hospitality, ICT, real estate, and professional services. Data collection spanned from February to June, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the evolving digital landscape in Cyprus.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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