Inclusive Digital Economies for the Sustainable Development Goals

Digital innovations in the areas of energy, agriculture, health, education, and mobility are already transforming how people access and use a range of services, often riding on the digital finance rails. It offers new opportunities to transform the lives of marginalized populations, particularly women, youth, migrants, refugees/FDPs, MSMEs, disabled, and people living in rural areas. This paper lays out the promise of digital technology and associated innovations in driving the inclusion and advancement of vulnerable populations. Building inclusive digital economies addresses pressing development challenges; it harnesses digital transformation in an inclusive manner to reach people at the last mile, and accelerates progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This publication builds on the analysis and insights from UNCDF team members working in Least Developed Countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. It also includes expert contributions from over a dozen partner organizations working towards an inclusive digital transformation.