Other Infrastructure Study

341 items available

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http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2204

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Beyond Unicorns: Harnessing Digital Technologies for Inclusion in Indonesia

(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2021-07-28) World Bank

Similar to many other countries around the world, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has hit Indonesia hard. Latest estimates suggest that about 5.1 million people—equivalent to 2.4 percent of the working-age population—have lost their jobs, while an additional 24 million have had to work reduced hours due to the pandemic. As many as 50 percent of workers have experienced a reduction in earnings. The impact on living standards has been devastating, with more than 2.2 million Indonesians estimated to have been pushed into COVID-19-induced poverty in 2020. One unexpected silver lining from the crisis, however, has been the turbo-charged adoption of digital technologies. Businesses, both large and small, have flocked to digital technologies to try to ensure the continuity of their operations. School closures have forced students and teachers to adapt and explore digitally enabled remote learning options, including the adoption of a variety of EdTech solutions. HealthTech apps enabling remote consultations and the delivery of medicine have seen unprecedented growth in adoption rates. Confined at home due to mobility restrictions, Indonesians have switched to the internet for their entertainment and social needs, driving sharp growth in the usage of digital media (music and video streaming) and communications applications. With this pandemic-induced flight to digital expected to be permanent to a large extent, there is excitement about an even greater acceleration in what was already the fastest growing digital economy in Southeast Asia. But at the same time questions have also emerged about the possibility of the differential access to and adoption of digital technologies compounding existing inequalities. For a country that considers achieving balanced development one of its key priorities, this is an important new challenge.
Digital Economy for Zimbabwe: Country Diagnostic Report

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2021-03) World Bank

A diagnostic assessment of Zimbabwe's digital economy has been launched as part of the World Bank Group's Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) Initiative, which leverages an integrated and foundations- based diagnostic framework to examine the present level of digital economy development across Africa. The assessment maps the current strengths and weaknesses that characterize the national digital economy ecosystem in Zimbabwe as well as identifies the challenges and opportunities for future growth.
Burundi Digital Economy Assessment

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2020-12-21) World Bank Group

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the need for accelerating digital adoption in Burundi. Burundi’s current sectoral strategies acknowledge the importance of investing in digital technology. However, these lack an overarching approach with an actionable roadmap and clear resources behind it. Burundi’s mobile network coverage and mobile broadband uptake continues to be characterized by a stark urban-rural divide. Digital platforms are paramount in connecting people, businesses, and the government - enabling both transactions and the exchange of information, goods, and services in more efficient and convenient ways. At present Burundi’s digital entrepreneurship sector remains embryonic, hampered by barriers such as limited ecosystem support and weak access to financing. Whether through the provision of public services closer to its citizens with digital platforms, or through increased financial inclusion enabled by digital financial services and dynamic digital ecosystems, Burundi stands to gain from a continued investment in the foundations of its digital economy. Chapter one gives introduction. Chapter two reviews cross-cutting factors that affect the strategic, institutional, and regulatory environment for the digital agenda in Burundi. The report proceeds to explore the five foundational pillars of the digital economy, in more depth. Chapter three looks at the access, quality, and usage of digital infrastructure, as well as the dynamics of the connectivity market, including what it will take to get more Burundians online. Chapter four discusses the current state of digital skills attainment and coverage. Chapter five analyzes the current application and scope for expanding the use of digital platforms - both in the public and private sector. Chapter six examines the state and uptake of digital financial services (DFS) among individuals, businesses and by government. Finally, chapter seven assesses the state of digital entrepreneurship and the culture of innovation in Burundi.
Albania E-Commerce Diagnostic: Leveraging the Digital Trade Opportunity

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2020-12) World Bank

E-commerce, defined broadly as the sale of goods and services facilitated through the internet, is a key growth opportunity for Albania. Sellers can benefit from internet marketing, 24-hour online shopping and remote transaction settlement to reach more customers. Buyers, including both consumers as well as businesses that source their inputs, stand to gain through greater choice, convenience and market competition. With the emergence of new companies offering enabling services for e-commerce, including technology companies, payment services and logistics, a variety of new job opportunities is emerging. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce has also emerged as an important pillar in the fight against the virus. This report identifies key recommendations for Albania to fully leverage e-commerce as economic development opportunity.
Togo Digital Economy Diagnostic Report

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2020-11-26) World Bank Group

Rapid digital transformation has been re-shaping the global economy, changing fundamental patterns of socioeconomic activities and accelerating further in the wake of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In this context, relying on the Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) methodology, the report conducts a timely diagnostic of the state of digital economy in Togo. Togo is bordered by Ghana, Benin, and Burkina Faso, and has a coastline that runs along the Gulf of Guinea. The government of Togo (GoT) is cognizant of the importance of the transformation towards a digital economy. As the government of Togo launches into the development of a new strategy for digital transformation “Togo Digital 2025” the current diagnostic would provide useful information to use as a basis for such strategic document. This report aims to highlight opportunities to further develop Togo’s digital economy with a special focus on policies that can bridge the digital divide and help Togo achieve the DE4A targets. This report aims to provide practical and actionable recommendations that inform decision makers on priority areas for development.
Lesotho Digital Economy Diagnostic

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2020-02) World Bank

Lesotho is a landlocked country with a population of about 2.0 million people. Lesotho’s private sector makes limited use of digital technologies. In the private sector, digital technology can change the way economies of scale are achieved, particularly through e-commerce and digital payments. The digital economy may provide the better matching of buyers and sellers in a competitive marketplace. The digital economy offers potential for enhanced service delivery in the public sector, but the Lesotho government’s efforts in this field appear fragmented and slow moving. Improved digital infrastructure can only achieve the desired transformational impact if combined with a capable public sector, investments in digital skills and literacy, increased access to digital financial services, and ramped up support for digital start-ups and existing businesses. A holistic view to developing the digital economy is required. This report will provide a diagnostic and offer recommendations on the five foundations of the digital economy in Lesotho. The report will examine, in turn, challenges concerning the policy and legal environment, digital infrastructure, public digital platforms, private digital platforms, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship, and digital skills. This report reviews how the digital divide affects the foundations of the digital economy and provides policy options for bridging the digital divide.
South Africa Digital Economy Diagnostic

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019-12-01) World Bank Group

South Africa is one of the digital economy leaders on the African continent, but lags developed countries. In this context, the digital economy for Africa targets appear within reach for South Africa, although efforts need to be maintained. Launched in 2018 through a collaboration between the African Union (AU) and the World Bank, the digital economy for Africa initiative aims to ensure that every individual, business, and government in Africa will be digitally enabled by 2030. South Africa can also play a leading role for regional digital development, particularly within the context of the recently signed continental free trade area (CFTA) agreement, as well closer to home in the Southern Africa development community (SADC) and common market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) context, following on the East Africa single digital market as an example. South Africa can assist by leading the agenda to harmonize customs, disseminating best practices to other countries around issues such as data regulation, improvement in the ecommerce environment, promotion of Africa wide payment systems, and the provision of an even stronger regional hub for tech entrepreneurs. In this context, the South African government is aiming to pass several reforms across core elements of the digital economy, recognizing the need for new policy directions and preparing for the fourth industrial revolution (4iR). While South Africa’s wealthy households have broad access to quality and relatively affordable internet, people earning less than South African rand (ZAR) 7000 a month are largely unconnected. This report reviews how the digital divide affects the foundations of the digital economy and provides policy options for bridging the divide. This report will provide a diagnostic and offer recommendations on the five foundations of the digital economy in South Africa. The report will examine challenges concerning digital infrastructure, public digital government platforms, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship, and digital skills.
Ghana Digital Economy Diagnostic

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019) World Bank Group

Universal adoption and effective application of digital technologies are expected to characterize economies of the future, shaping their ability to succeed in the global marketplace and offer a better quality of life for their citizens. Disruptive technologies are already altering traditional business models and pathways to development, yielding significant gains, increased convenience, as well as supporting better access to services for consumers. In 2016, the digital economy was worth an estimated 11.5 trillion dollars worldwide, equivalent to 15.5 percent of global GDP. It is forecast to reach 25 percent in less than a decade, far outpacing the growth of the ‘traditional’ economy (Huawei and Oxford Economics 2016). Mobile money is driving financial inclusion, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the number of accounts doubling to 21 percent between 2014-17. African e-commerce is also rapidly growing, at an estimated annual rate of 40 percent. Over the past five years, there has been a tenfold increase across the region in the supply of new intermediaries such as incubators, accelerators, and technology hubs, amongst others, numbering more than 400 across Africa today. The digital economy in Africa is expected to grow to over 300 billion dollars by 2025 (McKinsey 2013). Ghana has made substantial progress on financial inclusion, due in large part to growth in DFS. According to the World Bank’s Global Findex, the share of Ghanaian adults (over 15 years of age) with a formal financial account increased by 42 percent between 2014 and 2015. As a result, nearly 6 in 10 adults had formal access in 2017. With mobile account ownership increasing by nearly 200 percent between 2014 and 2017, mobile money has become the preferred payment alternative to cash when measured in terms of transaction volumes. In May 2018, the Bank of Ghana mandated that all mobile money providers connect to GHLink, with full interoperability between mobile money providers and banks introduced in December 2018.