Stakeholder Ecosystems and Cybersecurity Governance in Digital Transformation Projects: Evidence from Sudan’s Emerging Digital State

Abstract

Digital transformation has become a strategic priority for governments seeking to modernize public administration, improve service delivery, strengthen governance systems, and enhance institutional efficiency. However, digital transformation projects in developing countries face significant challenges arising from cybersecurity threats, weak governance structures, limited institutional capability, and stakeholder management issues. Sudan represents an important context, having accelerated digital initiatives across public administration, digital identity systems, e-governance, banking technologies, and mobile financial services. Despite these efforts, projects continue to experience operational instability, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, stakeholder resistance, and governance-related difficulties. This study examines the influence of stakeholder management on cybersecurity challenges and digital transformation success in Sudanese public-sector projects. It investigates the relationships among stakeholder engagement, cybersecurity governance, organizational resilience, institutional capability, digital trust, and project performance. The study integrates Stakeholder Theory, Institutional Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capability Theory, and Organizational Resilience Theory to develop a comprehensive framework explaining cybersecurity and stakeholder dynamics within digital transformation environments. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using data collected from 536 project managers, government officials, ICT specialists, cybersecurity experts, institutional administrators, consultants, and digital governance professionals working in Sudanese public institutions. Findings revealed that stakeholder management significantly improves digital transformation success (β = 0.692, p < 0.001), cybersecurity governance reduces cybersecurity challenges (β = –0.581, p < 0.001), and organizational resilience enhances project sustainability (β = 0.547, p < 0.001). Digital trust partially mediates the relationship between stakeholder engagement and digital transformation success. The study offers theoretical contributions and strategic implications for policymakers, project managers, and cybersecurity authorities responsible for Sudan’s digital transformation agenda.