SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Why it matters
SDG 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. It also seeks universal and affordable access to the internet in the least developed countries.
The industry’s contribution
SDG Target 9.c aims to significantly increase access to information and communications technology. At the end of 2022, 4.5 billion people (57% of the global population) were using mobile internet, an increase of 1.9 billion since 2015. Mobile internet enables individuals to access an array of life-enhancing services; however, 5% of the world’s population still live in areas without mobile broadband coverage, meaning that 400 million people are still not covered by a mobile broadband network. Moreover, the usage gap stood at 38% (3 billion people) in 2022.[39]
In addition to mobile internet, the mobile industry supports progress on SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure and improving industrial processes. Technologies such as 5G, IoT, cloud computing and AI can play a significant role in enterprise digital transformation across a range of sectors, such as manufacturing and logistics. This can lead to a range of improved business outcomes, such as productivity gains, cost savings and new revenue streams.[40]
In many LMICs, mobile connectivity (i.e. 2G/3G/4G) also provides critical infrastructure and a platform that allows micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises to grow by reaching bigger markets. Growth in mobile internet adoption and an increase of mobile money adoption were identified as key ecosystem enablers for scaling digital innovation in LMICS across a number of sectors.[41]
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Maximising mobile’s impact by 2030
Reaching the remaining 400 million people who are not covered by mobile broadband in a commercially sustainable manner will require the cost of network deployment to be reduced. Innovations in backhaul, low-cost base station technologies and power supply are already helping to achieve this.[42] However, an enabling policy environment that reduces cost and uncertainty around spectrum allocations, licensing, tax policy and network deployment is also necessary.[43]
Moreover, the usage gap shows that closing the coverage gap alone is not going to be enough to connect the unconnected. Addressing other barriers such as affordability, digital skills, relevance, and safety and security will be critical to maximising the industry’s impact on SDG 9.
Case Studies
