We Can't Accelerate the SDGs Without Meaningful Connectivity

Affordable internet access will play a key role in driving the UN's new agenda on Digital Acceleration.

By Ben Matranga

As we start a new year, there are only six years left to achieve the sustainable development goals.

That’s a frightening fact. UN Secretary General António Guterres recently shared that although we are halfway to the 2030 deadline, progress on half of the SDG targets is “weak” – while progress on 30% of them has “stalled or gone into reverse”.

That’s why we’re excited about the SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda, a new report released by the United Nations Development Program and the International Telecommunication Union.

The report makes an important argument that digital technology, like fintech, mobile health services or public governance tools – will be critical to the effort to achieve the goals and targets in time.

They find that digital technology will play a "critical role" in achieving 70% of the individual SDG targets, from limiting global temperature rise, to dramatically expanding education or reducing poverty.

This report is a valuable addition to the SDG conversation. One point in particular is worth highlighting: the outsize role that affordable Internet access will play in accelerating this "digital acceleration agenda".

The Importance of Affordable Internet

We recently wrote in Impact Alpha how widespread “meaningful connectivity” is a key precursor to driving all of the SDGs.

It's estimated that more than five billion people – about two-thirds of the world population – still lack access to meaningful connectivity. Most of these people live in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), where the population lacking access to broadband connectivity can exceed 85%. Even where the Internet is technically available, it's often prohibitively expensive and potential customers are limited to episodic usage with data caps and time-bound bundles.

One of the major highlights of the Digital Acceleration Agenda is the data-driven analysis around how connectivity can advance the SDGs. The report finds that 70% of the SDG “targets” — 119 out of the total 169 — would benefit from acceleration through digital technologies.

To repeat and simplify: the success of 119 of the world's most important priorities will depend on expanding access to the internet.

The report provides a number of helpful examples. For example: digital technologies like telemedicine and health monitoring apps are table-stakes if we want to achieve Target 3.8 of universal health coverage.

Likewise, precision agriculture and remote sensing are important to reaching Target 2.3, of doubling the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. And tech like digital banking and mobile wallets are key to achieve Target 5A, of equal rights for women to economic resources, property ownership and financial services.

So what needs to be done?

Connectivity’s Enablers

Ultimately, the authors of the report agree that the success of this "digital agenda" will depend on creating the physical infrastructure for connectivity. As they put it, "connectivity infrastructure is the foundation of digital transformation.”

We wholeheartedly agree. In economics terms, digital infrastructure and data affordability are leading indicators. Meaningful connectivity is a key precursor to driving all of the SDGs, and we need to build to get there.

The sad reality, however, is the pipes that are required for this agenda to become a reality haven’t yet been built. Just like water can’t flow through pipes that don’t exist, information can’t reach people that don’t have access to the internet, and solutions will continue to be hampered. That's a problem, with just six years left.

At Connectivity Capital, we make loans to local Internet Service Providers who are building the "pipes and plumbing" of the Internet - laying fiber optic cables and building fixed wireless networks that connect communities to affordable broadband often for the first time.?

We're always looking to expand partnerships with others who are committed to building and financing digital infrastructure needed to achieve the SDGs. If that sounds like you, drop us a line!