Authors:
Jouma Ali Al-Mohamad, Vishwajeet Vivek Kharote, Priyadarshini Balachandran, Mercedes Huerta-Soto, Orlando Carmelo Castellanos Polo, Mageshwari Manivannan

Addresses:
Department of Computer and Mobile Communication Engineering, Faculty of Information Engineering, Al-Shahbaa Private University, Aleppo, Syria. Department of Software Engineering, Walmart, Inc., Bentonville, Arkansas, United States of America. Department of E-Commerce and Digital Business, Walmart International Engineering, Walmart Inc., Bentonville, Arkansas, United States of America. Department of Business Administration, Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, Independencia, Ancash, Peru. Department of Accounting and Administrative Sciences, Corporación Universitaria Americana, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia. Department of Computer Engineering, Coventry University, Coventry, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom.

Abstract:

This paper examines the foundational role of data governance in Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, arguing that data constitutes the "silent engine" driving effective spatial planning, service delivery, and institutional recovery. Following the political transition of December 2024, Syria faces the unprecedented challenge of rebuilding physical infrastructure devastated by more than a decade of civil war while also building the data architecture needed for evidence-based governance. The World Bank estimates reconstruction costs between $140 billion and $345 billion, yet without reliable, integrated, and accessible data, these resources cannot be allocated efficiently or equitably. This paper synthesizes insights from data governance literature, examines Syria's current data infrastructure landscape—including the National Data Center, the environmental data integration system, and emerging geospatial initiatives such as the Aleppo Damage Assessment Report and the Syria ReMapping project and proposes a comprehensive national data governance framework uniquely tailored to Syria's conditions. The framework addresses four interconnected pillars: foundational data infrastructure, legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity and coordination, and open data for innovation and accountability. The paper concludes that Syria's data governance transformation, while fraught with challenges related to data fragmentation, institutional weakness, and technical capacity gaps, represents a strategic opportunity to build a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive state. Key recommendations include prioritizing the completion and interoperability of core national registries, conducting a comprehensive population census, establishing clear data protection and sharing protocols, investing in geospatial data infrastructure, and leveraging the Syrian diaspora's technical expertise.

Keywords: Data Governance; Post-Conflict Reconstruction; Spatial Planning; E-Government; National Data Center; Geospatial Data; Open Data; Service Delivery; Evidence-Based Policy.

Received on: 18/11/2025, Revised on: 31/12/2025, Accepted on: 22/02/2026, Published on: 16/10/2026

DOI: 10.69888/FTSFDS.2026.000800

FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Finance and Data Science, 2026 Vol. 1 No. 4, Pages: 197–212

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