Infrastructure Cooperation (Energy, Transport, Water and

ICT) within a changing Policy Context

Session 4: Digital for Development

DEVCO C/5

Infrastructures

Theo SARAMANDIS

Principal Administrator

DEVCO C 5

Brussels, 24 April 2017

Digitalisation worldwideMobile telephone penetration has skyrocketed in the developing world

(in Africa from 12% in 2005 to 76% in 2015).

HOWEVER…….- Internet penetration in

Africa in 2015 is just 20%, against 82% in the developed world.

- a monthly broadband subscriptions costs 1.7% of available income in developed countries, while 64% in Africa

Some facts and figures

- Over the last ten years, approximately EUR 350 million has been devoted to digital initiatives in EU partner countries;

- More than EUR 110 million are allocated to on-goingdigital projects (19% of in Africa funded primarily by the Development Cooperation Instrument)

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Mainstreaming digitalisation in Development policy

Existing challenges

limited connectivity /

persistence of digital divide

non-affordable broadband subscriptions

protecting free flow of data

cybersecurity & privacy

Opportunities

sustainable growth & job creation

women empowerment

development of digital governance / addressing

migration issues

sustainable energy and climate change resilience

D4D approach

How to better capturing these opportunities?

We need both a vision and an approach

to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our

interventions related to digital technologies and

services, which up till now were carried out on an ''ad

hoc'' basis

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D4D - The vision

Maximising the uptake of digitalisation as a strong driver for economic growth in developing countries and reducing the digital divide, providing access for all, with particular emphasis on women, youth and

vulnerable groups and on their education

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Digital for Development – 'D4D'

A strategic approach at the service of the vision Digitalisation acts as an accelerator and enabler of

many, perhaps all of the SDGs.

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A strategic approach with four main priority areas to:

i) promote access to affordable and secure broadband connectivity and to digital infrastructure;

ii) promote digital literacy and skills;

iii) foster digital entrepreneurship and job creation; and

iv) promote the use of digital technologies as an enabler for sustainable development.

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A strategic, but also a focused approach

Primarily in Africa, where the digital divide is the greatest

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To do all this, we obviously need money……..

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Main Potential Financing Sources

• Existing programmes in the context of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (Development Cooperation Instrument /DCI, Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, etc.)

• 11th European Development Fund (e.g. National and/or Regional Indicative Programmes)

• European External Investment Plan (upon adoption of the Regulation).

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Putting D4D approach in motion by:

1. Working (Headquarters and Delegations) with our Partner Countries to move forward with identification and formulation of concrete projects in the framework of existing programmes

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Putting D4D approach in motion by:

2. Creating of a specific D4D section in the online platform "capacity4dev" to disseminate information to development experts and facilitate the exchange of best practices

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Putting D4D approach in motion by:

3. Systematic involvement of EU Member States, partnercountries, civil society, academia and first and foremostthe private sector.

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Thank you !

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