Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity for economic growth, education, and social development. Yet nearly 2.6 billion people—approximately one-third of the global population—remain without access.
This digital divide stems from a lack of essential infrastructure, leaving millions excluded from the benefits of digital communication, remote learning, and economic opportunities tied to emerging technologies.
The disparity in connectivity reinforces global inequality, as those without internet access are at a significant disadvantage in terms of education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement.
Universal connectivity is a prerequisite for equitable economic participation, and bridging the digital divide is a crucial goal for sustainable global development.
Estimates suggest that ensuring universal internet access will require an investment in the range of hundreds of billions of dollars by 2030. However, mobilizing this scale of funding presents a major challenge.
Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has partnered with several multilateral financial institutions to launch the Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative (DIII).
The DIII is a collaborative effort co-led by ITU alongside institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group.
The initiative operates in close coordination with the G20 Presidency—held by Brazil in 2024 and South Africa in 2025 – with support from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Launched in early 2024, the initiative aims to accelerate investment in digital infrastructure and enhance global internet accessibility. Expanding meaningful and affordable connectivity contributes directly to achieving 70% of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, according to UN studies.
However, progress on the SDGs remains uneven: only 17% of the 169 targets are on track, while over a third are either stalled or regressing. Digital technologies could help reverse this trend by enabling more inclusive economic participation and improved access to essential services.
The International Telecommunication Union Deputy Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas highlights that investing in resilient digital infrastructure is essential to connect the remaining 2.6 billion people to the internet and drive economic and social progress.
Digital infrastructure encompasses a broad range of components, including wireless networks, satellite connections, fiber-optic cables, data centers, and undersea cables.
Additionally, modern connectivity relies on investments in cloud services, data storage, and computing capacity. Despite the opportunities presented by digital transformation, large-scale investments in digital infrastructure face obstacles such as economic instability, regulatory uncertainty, and a lack of de-risking mechanisms for investors.
To address these challenges, the DIII has formed a working group focused on three key areas: understanding the global investment gap in digital infrastructure, developing an assessment framework to identify country-specific investment barriers, and identifying innovative financing mechanisms.
The initial phase of the initiative has already provided valuable insights into funding sources, operating models, and financial tools designed to mitigate risks in emerging markets.
Access to digital connectivity is particularly vital for the world’s least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states. These regions often face the greatest challenges in accessing stable, high-speed internet. Successful mobilization of investment will help bring digital transformation to these underserved markets, enabling millions to participate in the global digital economy.
The DIII’s recommendations have already influenced major policy discussions, including Brazil’s G20 Digital Economy Working Group and the 2024 UN Summit of the Future. In 2025, its findings will contribute to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
Furthermore, the initiative supports the efforts of Giga, a joint program between ITU and UNICEF, which aims to connect every school worldwide to the internet.
Recent developments underscore the growing recognition of digital infrastructure as a critical investment sector. For instance, Blackstone’s infrastructure division generated USD 1.2 billion in fee revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023, highlighting the financial appeal of large-scale digital projects.
Meanwhile, ByteDance’s TikTok has committed to investing approximately USD3.76 billion in a data hosting service in Thailand, expected to be operational by 2026. These investments reflect the increasing priority given to digital infrastructure by both private enterprises and governments.
As global demand for high-speed internet access continues to rise, initiatives like the DIII play a pivotal role in ensuring that connectivity is both meaningful and equitable.
Bridging the digital divide requires sustained collaboration between governments, private investors, and international organizations. By addressing investment barriers and fostering innovative financial solutions, the DIII is paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally connected future.