WB Digital Development Partnership 2023-2027

Då det ännu inte finns någon färdigställd narrativ rapport för 2024/2024, utgår nedan resultat från det material som delades inför årsmöte 2024. Under rapporteringsperioden har DDP genom rådgovning bidragit till ett antal policyreformer. I Elfenbenskusten bidrog DDP till Electronic Communications Law, en lag som ska främja konkurrens och på sikt minska kostnaderna för uppkoppling för konsumenter. Detta möjliggjorde för Elfenbenskusten att få tillgång till ett utlåningsprojekt om 200 mUSD från Världsbanken, för att öka konkurrensen på telekommarknaden. (23/00105432, Draft AR 2024, p19) I Etiopien har DDP bidragit till reformer i telekomsektorn under flera års tid. 2019 etablerades en självständig reglerande myndighet, Ethiopia Communications Authority (ECA), Reformerna har bidragit till att Safaricom 2021 fick licens för att verka som mobiloperatör i landet, samt till att 3000 företag erhållit licens av ECA för att verka i den digitala sektorn som tjänsteleverantörer. Detta har, i sin tur, bidragit till ett förbättrat tjänsteutbud och en konkurrenskraftig digital sektor i Etiopien. (23/00105432, Draft AR 2024, p20) DDP deltog i framtagandet av Världsbankens nya flaggskeppsrapport "Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023". Rapporten presenterar den globala utvecklingen av digitalisering och hur olika regioner använder och producerar digital teknik. Inför skrivandet av rapporten sammanställdes information om storlek och tillväxt av länders IKT sektorer, data som tidigare saknades. Rapporten har laddats ner 22 000 gånger. (23/00105432, Draft AR, p29) Rapporten placerar sig därmed i toppskiktet av inflytelserika publikationer inom digitalisering, och kompletterar andra såsom GSMAs "State of Mobile Internet Connectivity" och ITUs "Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures" mycket väl.

Sida supports DDP based on their holistic approach to digital development, which is reflected in the program's theory of change and focus areas. The overall goal of DDP is to promote the digital transformation of client countries, to achieve sustainable, inclusive and resilient development and contribute to several SDGs, but more clearly one can see contributions to Goal 1: no poverty, Goal 8: decent work and economic growth, Goal 9: sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure, Goal 10: reduced inequality and Goal 17: implementation and global partnership. The long-term goals for DDP 2.0 are 1. Reduced inequality in access, cost and quality of digital infrastructure 2. Secure, green and resilient data infrastructure 3. A well-developed and competitive digital sector and increased use of digital services and products Specifically within the six thematic areas below, the World Bank, through DDP, will contribute to: 1) Digital data and indicators - scale up the use of data and indicators to compare and promote countries' readiness to reap "digital dividends". It is important in this "window" that poverty and inclusion (economic and gender equality) remain a strong focus, as well as considering the risks when data is used for negative purposes as a significant development risk. 2) Enabling a digital economy - the development of regulatory frameworks that support the digital economy, activities seek to review obsolete regulations, remove bottlenecks to the development of digital ecosystems and promote competition. In view of Sida's ICT portfolio, this "window" with a focus on the digital economy is highly relevant. 3) Cybersecurity; assisting countries' capacity to develop policies and standards for cybersecurity, supporting good practice in the use of cybersecurity tools, safeguards and risk management instruments. In Sida's assessment, it is important that this "window" includes and addresses issues around capacity building, especially in cybersecurity. Within the area, the DDP has a separate MDTF in which Sida is not a member. Accordingly, reporting on this point is done separately from the rest. 4) Connectivity for all; the digital divide constitutes a fundamental obstacle that excludes populations from the digital economy and resource base, TA activities seek to support countries in their work to expand "connectivity" for all. This "window" with a focus on bridging the digital gap, including for women and girls, and promoting access is very much in line with Sida's ICT strategy goals and further strengthens the ICT portfolio in the area. Programme activities also promote intermediate objectives such as affordable connectivity. This part of the theory of change is a central issue for Sida, as technical support interventions in digitalisation, in cooperation with other donors, often have a strong focus on technical solutions. This is of course necessary within this thematic area, but it remains a priority and a matter of dialogue for Sida to follow up the projects from a poverty perspective to ensure that they contribute to increased inclusion and equality. 5) Digital governance/public services; promoting models for improving the provision of digital public services, promoting transparency and efficiency in public administration, and strengthening the empowerment of all citizens and entrepreneurs. Sida's assessment is that the "window" is particularly interesting with regard to issues relating to public institutions, such as social protection, domestic resource mobilisation, financial sector stability, where participation also constitutes a platform for broader discussions on institution-building and digitalisation. 6) Mainstreaming of digital services; promote digital capacity in a range of areas and sectors by developing digital solutions and supporting system integration, as well as their scaling up and mainstreaming. This "window" is highly relevant to the ICT strategy objective and its aim to promote increased use of ICT and its integration across sectors and thematic areas. As is the work to ensure that the necessary conditions and skills ("digital skills") are in place among all parts of the population.