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Tag: ITU

  • Nigeria among 11 African nations in £15m ITU digital infrastructure programme

    Nigeria among 11 African nations in £15m ITU digital infrastructure programme

    Nigeria is among 11 sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from a £15 million investment in ICT, digital infrastructure, and broadband projects, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has disclosed.

    The ITU delegation also said Nigeria is one of 136 countries currently participating in a global cybersecurity drill organised by the union in partnership with the United Arab Emirates.

    The delegation made this known during a meeting with the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa, in Abuja, where it commended Nigeria’s efforts toward digitalisation and inclusivity.

    The team was led by the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, alongside the ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh.

    Zavazava said the investments in digital infrastructure and broadband across sub-Saharan Africa would focus on digital skills development, infrastructure mapping and modelling to accelerate growth in the region’s digital economy.

    He outlined the ITU-BDT’s mandate to bridge the digital divide, promote inclusive ICT development, strengthen regulatory frameworks and support member states in building resilient digital infrastructure.

    According to him, these priorities align with Nigeria’s digital transformation goals. He added that the ITU operates across its 194 member states through regional and area offices, including its West Africa office in Dakar, Senegal, and the Africa regional office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    Zavazava said ongoing collaboration with Nigeria in areas such as digital skills development, broadband infrastructure mapping and cybersecurity would help strengthen the country’s digital economy.

    The delegation was received on behalf of the NITDA Director General by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Warowei Dimie, alongside other agency directors.

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    The visit provided an opportunity for strategic engagement on key digital development challenges facing Nigeria, Africa, and other developing regions, with a focus on inclusive and sustainable ICT growth.

    Speaking for the NITDA Director General, Dimie reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the ITU, describing the organisation’s global experience as valuable for transferring tested solutions and best practices to Nigeria.

    He said digital skills and capacity building featured prominently in discussions, as Nigeria pursues its target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy nationwide by next year.

    Dimie also highlighted the adoption of the National Digital Literacy Framework as a major milestone, noting that it provides a structured and inclusive approach to skills development across different segments of society.

    He drew attention to the challenge of limited connectivity in rural and underserved communities, with stakeholders emphasising targeted interventions, including grassroots digital training and the deployment of National Youth Service Corps members as digital literacy ambassadors in affected areas.

  • ‘$2.8tr required to connect the world’

    ‘$2.8tr required to connect the world’

    Achieving universal, meaningful internet connectivity by 2030 could require an investment of $2.6 trillion to $2.8 trillion at current prices, according to the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the UN agency for digital technologies and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    The report outlines the challenges, projected costs, and collaborative strategies needed to make sure everyone, everywhere, can use the Internet, including the estimated one-third of humanity currently offline.

    The largest investment component — $1.5 trillion to $1.7 trillion — is required for hard infrastructure, alongside substantial funding for human and institutional capacity, mainly in developing countries.

    “Digital connectivity means creating opportunities for education, jobs, and access to essential services that can transform lives and communities. While significant resources are needed to meaningfully connect everyone, these are investments that will contribute to a prosperous digital future for all,”said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

    ITU estimates that 2.6 billion people are still excluded from the digital world, with connectivity closely linked to levels of socio-economic development. In 2024, an estimated 93 per cent of the population in high-income countries was using the Internet, compared to just 27 per cent in low-income countries.

    The new report on achieving universal meaningful connectivity builds on ITU’s original 2020 Connecting Humanity study, published under the direction of the G20 during the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by identifying critical gaps with the anticipated costs for addressing them.

    “The world needs between $2.6 trillion and $2.8 trillion to connect humanity by 2030. This figure is nearly five times higher than the last assessment conducted in 2020 in partnership with ITU during the Saudi chairmanship of the G20. Such a dramatic increase underscores the urgency for international cooperation, collective investment, and the sharing of expertise if we are to achieve the vision of universal, meaningful connectivity for all,” Acting Governor of CST. H.E. Eng. Haytham AlOhali, said.

    Key costs highlighted in the report include: Digital infrastructure – $1.5 trillion to $1.7 trillion: Expanding broadband networks to underserved populations represents the single largest cost. The report estimates the costs of deploying fibre networks in and around urban areas, 4G fixed wireless in rural regions, and satellites in the most remote locations.

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    Affordability – $983 billion: Reducing the cost of smartphones and broadband services — both fixed and mobile — is vital so that individuals and households worldwide, particularly in lower-income regions, can afford to connect and stay online.

    Digital skills – $152 billion: Connectivity alone is not enough — people must have the skills to use the Internet effectively. Investments to fund large-scale digital literacy initiatives can empower individuals to access online education, secure better jobs, and actively participate in a digitally-driven society.

    Policy and regulation – $600 million: Modernizing regulations and creating predictable policy environments worldwide are essential to unlock efficiencies and promote innovation. While this represents the smallest cost component, it holds back digital transformation and sustains the other gaps. The impact of closing it would be massive.

    As the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint highlights, global progress on connectivity has been uneven, with the world’s 46 least-developed countries lagging significantly due to financing barriers, limited technical expertise, and unreliable infrastructure.

    To address these challenges, ITU calls for innovative business approaches and renewed collaboration between governments, the tech industry, development finance institutions, and civil society, to close current divides and prevent future ones, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence (AI).

    The report concludes with recommendations to accelerate digital inclusion worldwide, including using schools as gateways to Internet access, investing in energy infrastructure in Africa, and enhancing data collection at the sub-national level.

  • Airtel Africa, ITU, RISA, Cisco partneron digital skills

    Airtel Africa, ITU, RISA, Cisco partneron digital skills

    Airtel Africa Foundation has partnered on a joint initiative with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) and Cisco on capacity and digital skills development, under the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative.

    The partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion by providing free Internet connectivity and digital skills training to underserved communities in Rwanda, in connection with the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    ITU will provide digital skills training content to the DTCs under the Initiative along with other ITU regional capacity development activities. In addition, ITU will facilitate networking opportunities related to promoting digital literacy and inclusion, which will enable access to expertise and best practices.

    Speaking to the press, Mr. Sujay Chakrabarti, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director said “Today’s partnership between the Airtel Africa Foundation, ITU, RISA, and Cisco marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide and empowering Rwandan youth with digital skills. This partnership is a powerful example of what happens when government, private sector, and international organizations come together to empower communities”.

    The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, will equip DTC locations with routers, Wi-Fi and data packages at no cost, ensuring the effective rollout of training and access to digital educational platforms.

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    The landmark partnership aligns with Rwanda’s ambition to become a knowledge-based economy and complements national programmes such as ‘Connect Rwanda’ that promote access to smartphones and digital services for underserved communities.

    “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting national development goals and closing the digital divide through meaningful collaboration,” said Ms. Esi Asare Prah, Head of Programs at Airtel Africa Foundation on behalf of Dr Segun Ogunsaya, Chair of the Airtel Africa Foundation. “We are honoured to partner with ITU to bring this vision to life and contribute to Rwanda’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered society” she added.

    “Our partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation begins in Rwanda, where we are joining forces to strengthen digital skills in underserved communities to advance connectivity. This initiative lays the groundwork for broader regional collaboration, as we aim to expand this work to other Digital Transformation Centres across Africa,’’ said Dr Emmanuel Mannaseh, Regional Director for International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Mr. Antoine Sebera, CEO of Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) said

    “What we are seeing here today is partnership in action. Statistics show that 900 million people in Africa remain unconnected, extra effort needs to be made to make sure that no one is left behind. This positions Rwanda a step ahead by being intentional to involve the youth. These centres are going to play a transformative role in educating the youth to leverage AI. Digital Transformation is driving the world and Africa or Rwanda can not be left behind.

  • ITU, UK-FCDO boost Nigeria’s rural connectivity

    ITU, UK-FCDO boost Nigeria’s rural connectivity

    The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Yomi Arowosafe, has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), for their collaboration with the Federal Government to deepen rural connectivity for socio-economic development of the country.

    Arowosafe gave the commendation at the weekend in Lagos during an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session which was organised in Lagos over the weekend by the USPF in in collaboration with the UK FCDO and the ITU.

    The session built on USPF’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the achievement of wide network connectivity coverage in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.

    The event was attended by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Faruk Yabo; the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida; Chief Executives of telecom companies, state ICT commissioners, notable industry players, trade associations, development partners, key speakers, distinguished guests and staff of both NCC and the USPF.

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    Tijani spoke on the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to provide enabling policy directions and initiatives towards ensuring greater connectivity in Nigeria to transform the socio-economic development of Nigeria while the NCC boss, Maida emphasized the Commission’s resolve to continue to back all USPF projects through effective regulatory measures that help in accelerating deployment of necessary digital infrastructure that support the achievement of the Federal Governments’ priority areas and ministerial blueprint.

    Speaking at the event, Arowosafe said the engagement reflected the USPF’s shared vision and commitment to expanding inclusive connectivity and that the presence of all other stakeholders at the event underscored the vital role of collaboration in achieving the goal.

    He said the theme of this workshop, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth” highlighted  government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide, in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, and Presidential Priority Areas.

     “Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners, and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he said.

    The USPF Secretary stated that ahead of the session, the USPF gathered input from stakeholders through questionnaires. He said the responses obtained shaped the panel discussions, focused on key strategies to foster connectivity through collaboration and partnerships, strengthen capacity building and security, and explore innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable connectivity.

    He said the engagement, thus, offered a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions that address our unique challenges and help improve telecommunications access in underserved regions, while encouraging participants to actively participate, share their expertise, and contribute to shaping outcomes that will strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem and improve the lives of all Nigerians.

     “This event marks the beginning of a collective journey toward a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria. USPF is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together,” he said.

  • ITU: Global connectivity requires $1.6 trillion

    ITU: Global connectivity requires $1.6 trillion

    • Secures $73b in connectivity pledges

    United Nations (UN) agency for digital technologies, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has put current estimates of $1.6 trillion as cash required in hardware costs alone to complete the task of connecting the world, with most of the resources needed in developing countries.

    The global body gave the estimates when it announced that new industry commitments to its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition have reached $73 billion in pledges for universal, meaningful and connectivity.

    ITU stressed the need for resilient digital infrastructure across the globe, adding that the latest commitments, presented during Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain, reflected growing momentum from leading mobile and satellite industry players rallying to bridge the digital divide.

    Partner2Connect is ITU’s initiative to mobilize pledges and resources to reinforce global connectivity efforts, strengthen the world’s digital infrastructure and move closer to ensuring that everyone can use the Internet.

    Stressing the importance of digital infrastructure, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “In space, on land and under the sea, expansive digital infrastructure highlights how much humanity values and depends on meaningful connectivity.

    These new pledges bring us even closer to our goal of delivering sustainable digital transformation to everyone, everywhere.”

    The new commitments come from MTN Group and Globalstar. MTN Group, which is deeply committed to investing in the future of Africa, has been deploying on average approximately $2 billion yearly in capital expenditure across its markets over the past five years. The company expects to make similar investments over the next five years, in support of Africa’s growth and prosperity. This will be dedicated to expanding and strengthening its voice and data networks, ensuring better coverage and connectivity for its customers. MTN Group believes these investments are crucial for driving digital inclusion and economic growth in these vital markets.

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    Globalstar is also investing $2 billion to expand its LEO satellite network to deliver seamless, low-latency, and energy-efficient connectivity for direct-to-device (D2D) and IoT solutions. Through this pledge, Globalstar will expand connectivity in remote regions, delivering reliable and affordable communication solutions where they are needed most.

    New industry pledges are expected to take on existing challenges headlong.

    The pledges come as ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2025 and is committed to securing a better digital future for all by advancing efforts to connect the unconnected, fast-track sustainable digital development, and empower people to use digital technologies.

    Today, 2.6 billion people around the world remain offline, according to ITU’s Facts & Figures report.

    ITU has called for $100 billion in commitments to Partner2Connect by 2026 for projects driving digital transformation across all countries, with special attention to the hardest-to-connect communities.

    The new commitments will be used to expand and enhance digital infrastructure, strengthen connectivity in underserved areas, and accelerate digital transformation through innovative technologies.

    In total, over 1,000 pledges have been made to the Partner2Connect platform from governments, industry, and other stakeholders, covering 147 countries.

  • FG hails success of ITU Summit, highlights benefits for Nigeria

    FG hails success of ITU Summit, highlights benefits for Nigeria

    The federal government has expressed excitement over the successful hosting of the first-ever International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Abuja.  

    It also expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the summit would be effectively implemented to enhance digital inclusion and improve global telecommunication services. 

    Describing the benefits as far-reaching, the government reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to driving the nation’s economic growth through digital platforms and enhanced connectivity.  

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, made this known during his closing remarks at the summit held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.  

    Tijani, who also serves as the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for International Submarine Cable Resilience, expressed gratitude to over 300 participants from 194 ITU-member countries, noting that Nigeria was honoured to host such a significant event successfully.

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    Leading key figures from Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, the minister was joined at the summit by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Engr. Faruk Yabo, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Wada Maida, and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

    Others were the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, the Managing Director of NigComSat, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen and the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof Ibrahim Adeyanju.

    Speaking with newsmen at the closing of the event, the Secretary General of African Telecommunication Union, John Omo, noted that the conference was an eye-opener as it focused on collective action to tackle the challenges of under-sea cable cuts and disruptions. 

     He said participants agreed on various strategies and mechanisms to develop marine cable resilience and ensure human and environmental factors that cause disruptions are promptly addressed. 

    Omo explained that from available statistics, Africa had disadvantages in terms of density as against population, terrain and coastal systems, which prompted more cable cuts than other regions of the world.

     “In terms of density as against population, we still have the lowest density worldwide.

    “Because of the nature of our terrain and coastal systems, there are a lot more cable cuts in Africa than in any other region of the world.

    “We have not had sufficient collaborative frameworks, even within countries or within our region, in terms of how to deal with this phenomenon, if there is a cable cut.

    “If you think of issues of piracy and fishing in East Coast of Africa, we recently had a major cable cut.

    “We need to have a system where every person in the ecosystem knows what to do in the event of a cable cut; it is an emergency, and we have to deal with it,” Omo said.

    Also, Prof Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair of the Advisory Body for International Submarine Cable Resilience, said the declaration at the Summit showed a big commitment of all the organisations to work together into building more resilience for the submarine cable ecosystem.

    Maximiano said the advisory board had formed three working groups that would deal with different aspects, like risk mitigation, fostering collaboration, and timely deployment of repair works on submarine cables.

    “We created these working groups so that they will synergise and submit their reports to the advisory board, after which there will be a timeline for implementation.”

  • ITU: 2.5b Nigerians, others not on internet

    ITU: 2.5b Nigerians, others not on internet

    An estimated 2.6 billion people in Nigeria and other parts of the world are currently offline accounting for 32 per cent of the world’s population. This is down from the newly revised estimate of 2.8 billion for 2023, which represents 35 per cent of the population, according to new figures from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

    According to ITU’s Facts and Figures 2024, an estimated 5.5 billion people are online, an increase of 227 million individuals based on revised estimates for 2023.

    The Figures showed that global connectivity continues to increase but revealed the complexities of reaching communities in low-income countries.

    While an estimated 68 per cent of the global population is now online and all indicators tracked in the report show improvement, stubborn digital divides persist and about one-third of the world’s people remain offline.

    Commenting, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Facts and Figures 2024 is a tale of two digital realities between high-income and low-income countries. Stark gaps in critical connectivity indicators are cutting off the most vulnerable people from online access to information, education and employment opportunities. This report is a reminder that true progress in our interconnected world isn’t just about how fast we move forward, but about making sure everyone moves forward together.”

    Facts and Figures 2024 showed that Internet use remains tightly linked to the level of development.

    In high-income countries, 93 per cent of the population is estimated to be using the internet, a contrast with low-income countries where only 27 per cent of the population is estimated to be online.

    Connectivity challenges also remain in the least developed countries (LDCs) where only 35 per cent of the population is estimated online and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) with only 39 per cent online.

    The World Bank classifies Nigeria as a developing country with a lower middle income while there are 45 countries in the LDCs club distribute among Africa (33), Asia (eight), Caribbean (one) and Pacific (three).

    In Africa, they include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia

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    In Asia, they include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Yemen while Caribbean, it is Haiti. Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu are the countries affected in the Pacific.

    Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, said:  “The world is inching towards universal access at a time that it should be sprinting. While we continue to make progress on connectivity, our advances mask significant gaps in the world’s most vulnerable communities, where digital exclusion makes life even more challenging.

    “We must intensify our efforts to remove the barriers that keep people offline and close the usage gap, and renew our commitment to achieving universal and meaningful connectivity, so that everyone can access the Internet.”

    Key findings in Facts and Figures 2024 showed that the world is moving slowly towards gender parity in internet use.  An estimated 70 per cent of men use the internet worldwide in 2024, compared with 65 per cent of women. Although there are 189 million more men than women using the Internet, the report found that the world has been moving towards gender parity except in LDCs. (According to the revised estimates, an estimated 68 per cent of men and 63 per cent of women were using the Internet in 2023.)

    Another key highlight is the lack of progress in bridging the urban-rural divide. Globally, an estimated 83 per cent of urban dwellers use the Internet in 2024, compared with less than half of the population in rural areas (48 per cent). Of the estimated 2.6 billion people offline in 2024, 1.8 billion people live in rural areas.

    The findings show that young people are more likely to use the internet, but the gap is shrinking. Globally, an estimated 79 per cent of people aged between 15 and 24 use the internet, 13 percentage points more than among the rest of the population. This generational gap, observed in every region, has been slowly shrinking over the last four years. (According to the revised estimates, an estimated 77 per cent of people aged between 15 and 24 used the Internet in 2023.)

    Internet access continues to get cheaper, but affordability remains a challenge. The cost of a fixed-broadband subscription in low-income countries is the equivalent of nearly a third of the average monthly income.

    Globally, four out of five people over 10 years old own a mobile phone. However, major differences exist between countries. More than 95 per cent of people over 10 years old own a mobile phone in high-income economies, compared to only 56 per cent in low-income countries.

    5G coverage is estimated to reach 51 per cent of the world population this year, with significant disparities existing between high- and low-income countries.  While 84 per cent of people in high-income countries are covered, 5G extends to only four per cent of those in low-income countries.

    The number of mobile-broadband subscriptions is approaching that of mobile-cellular subscriptions – While gains are being made, fixed broadband remains a luxury for many.

    Growth in internet traffic remains strong however, the average monthly mobile broadband traffic per subscription in high-income countries (16.2 GB) is about eight times higher than in low-income economies (2 GB).

  • ITU: Transparency, accountability remain challenge in ICT sector

    ITU: Transparency, accountability remain challenge in ICT sector

    Transparency and accountability in the digital technology space remained a challenge as the carbon footprint and energy consumption of the sector is growing with global demand for hardware, network services, data storage and emerging technologies, according to a report co-authored by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA).

    ITU said alongside commitments expressed across industry to embrace digital growth and environmental sustainability, the report revealed an overall decline in progress towards climate goals, adding that Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the global tech sector have increased, while transparency and accountability remain a challenge.

     Greening Digital Companies 2024 offers insights and best practices to help tech companies worldwide accelerate their emissions reductions, achieve low-carbon operations, and improve climate reporting.

    ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said digital companies needed to take charge of transition.

    “An effective green transition needs digital companies to drive progress and lead by example. This report is an important tool for understanding where to focus efforts to maximize digital technology’s immense potential to advance sustainability in the face of climate change for the digital future we want.”

     The report’s findings formulate a clear call for action for leaders gathering at the Green Digital Action meeting at COP29’s landmark Digitalisation Day,” the ITU scribe said.

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    Digital technologies offer numerous socio-economic benefits and can accelerate progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Tech can enhance weather predictions and climate-change monitoring, optimize energy use, and help integrate low-emission technologies.

    But to advance sustainable development, industry must monitor and address its own environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, e-waste, and raw-material depletion.

    Greening Digital Companies 2024 evaluates the greenhouse gas emissions and energy use of 200 leading digital companies around the world.

    Of the 200 companies covered in the report, 148 reported electricity consumption totaling 518 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, about 1.9 per cent of the world total. The 10 companies with the highest consumption levels – all headquartered in East Asia or the United States – consumed 51 per cent of this total, nine per cent higher than in 2021.

    The report’s 2024 edition provides the first comprehensive overview of corporate value-chain emissions. Often referred to as “Scope 3,” these make up most of the emission footprints of digital companies.

    Scope 3 emissions include everything from material suppliers and outsourced device production to the use of a company’s end-products by consumers. Such end-products range from cell phones and computers to search engines and Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots.

    On average, these emissions are six times greater than the combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions that a company produces itself or is responsible for indirectly, according to the report.

    Many companies struggle to accurately calculate and attribute their Scope 3 emissions, with common challenges including lack of data from suppliers, double counting, and inconsistent application of emission-allocation principles.

    Director of Research and Digitisation at the World Benchmarking Alliance, Lourdes O. Montenegro, said: “Digital companies need to do their part in the fight against climate change. This report uniquely offers evidence-based insights on the sector’s state of play. We are bringing these data and insights to the attention of the international community to help ensure that the impact on people and planet is consequential to success in business.”

    On managing emissions from emerging technologies, the report noted that the rapid growth of AI technologies will further strain energy resources and keep adding to emissions.

    The report also noted the contributions that AI and other transformative technologies can make to support sustainable development.

    To help digital companies meet sustainability goals, Greening Digital Companies 2024 underscores the role of governments in implementing monitoring frameworks and accelerating the availability of green energy.

    Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, sid:  “From the development point of view, it is increasingly important for industry players to more closely monitor their own greenhouse gas emissions and act to reduce emissions and energy use. GHG impacts can be devastating and include extreme and changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. If left unchecked, climate change will undo part of the development progress of the past. Governments can support the tech industry’s efforts to balance innovation with sustainability, fostering a twin transition towards digital growth and environmental responsibility.”

    Liberalizing energy markets, reducing red tape for permitting, modernizing power grids, and investing in energy storage are all ways that governments can support industry sustainability efforts. Renewable energy investment is also critical.

    According to the report, research and analysis will support green digital action. Greening Digital Companies 2024 reflects ITU’s wider push for effective climate action across the global tech industry.

    ITU, the UN Agency for Digital Technologies, urges the industry to take responsibility for its own emissions; help develop and promote technical standards to cut emissions in line with global climate goals; and encourages industry partners worldwide to support ITU’s Green Digital Action, aiming to strengthen the contribution of digital technologies to climate and environmental action.

  • ITU votes fresh $50b for connectivity in Nigeria, others

    ITU votes fresh $50b for connectivity in Nigeria, others

    United Nations (UN) Agency for Digital Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has announced has $4.8 billion in investment commitments toward boosting connectivity in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

    The announcement brings the total pledges aimed at closing the digital divide through ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition (P2C) to $50.96 billion, over half the $100 billion goal set for 2026.

    The pledges to Partner2Connect, ITU’s platform to advance universal meaningful connectivity, were announced during the opening day of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Among the new commitments announced at the WSIS Forum are pledges that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance digital access, adoption and inclusion.

    Speaking on the development, ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said it had become imperative to close the global digital divide.

    He said: “Closing the digital divide requires a team effort, and today we scored a huge win for global connectivity.

     I am thrilled to see these amazing new commitments and that we have united P2C and WSIS to break through the halfway point in our goal to help bring the benefits of digital connectivity to everyone, everywhere.”

    The new commitments announced include AT&T’s pledge to help 25 million people in the hardest-to-connect areas in the United States (U.S) to get and stay connected by 2030 through a commitment of $3 billion. This brings to $5 billion the total committed by AT&T since 2021 to narrow the digital divide. The additional $3 billion commitment will address the main barriers to connectivity–affordability and adoption – for those who need it most.

    Another is from the government of Canada which will focus on investment in computing infrastructure to support AI businesses and researchers in Canada through the CAD 2 billion ($1.46 billion) AI Compute Access Fund. Also, an additional commitment to invest CAD 400 million ($292 million) in the adoption of AI across Canada’s economy; help small and medium size enterprises introduce AI into their businesses; protect workers with skills development; and to create a new Canadian AI Safe Institute to help Canada better understand and protect against the risks of advanced AI systems.

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    For Elle International, three pledges worth $106 million was made to improve the quality of life of 20 million women and girls in South Africa through the provision of digital platforms, smart solutions, data, and AI models that drive connectivity, digital transformation, and open science in women’s health.

    Microsoft also announced a new pledge to support projects and prioritize partnerships to rapidly accelerate how people with disabilities are included in and represented by the systems, designs and features of technology, including AI. This raises to five the total number of P2C commitments from Microsoft.

    Bogdan-Martin said: “Because of the leadership, vision and ambition of P2C’s pledgers, millions of people will be given the opportunity to have more accessible, more affordable digital technologies for socio-economic growth, improved health and everything that makes connectivity meaningful. It’s extremely exciting to see new pledges begin to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to transform the inclusive digital societies we all aspire to build.”

    The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event is meeting between May 27 and 31 to address challenges and log achievements in the two decades since the multi-stakeholder WSIS process was established.

    At the WSIS Forum event, government ministers and officials from over 160 countries as well as representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia, the technical community, the UN System and intergovernmental organizations are analysing key trends shaping the world, including artificial intelligence, space for sustainable development, and other fast-evolving topics.

    The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event outcome will inform the UN General Assembly WSIS+20 review scheduled for September 2025 to identify how WSIS processes can support the Global Digital Compact expected to be agreed as part of the Summit of the Future later this year.

    The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition is aligned with the WSIS “Action Lines” – a set of 11 priority areas for UN efforts to connect technology and development that also provide guidance to policymakers and other stakeholders. P2C is designed to address core issues related to access, adoption, value creation, and investments in connectivity, reflecting the key objectives outlined in the digital cooperation framework established by WSIS two decades ago.

    ITU has called for $100 billion in overall investments by 2026 to provide the expertise and resources required to extend universal, meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation to every corner of the globe.

  • Mobile operators raise $9bto boost connectivity

    Mobile operators raise $9bto boost connectivity

    The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has secured over $9 billion in investment commitments from mobile operator groups to extend global connectivity.

    Its Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who made the announcement at Mobile World Congress (MWC), said the commitment builds on the mobile industry’s strong support to ITU’s push to connect the world.

    Alongside the new commitments, the UN Digital Agency also announced that it now has over 1,000 industry, academia and organisational members in addition to its 193 member states. This milestone marks the largest, most diverse membership in the agency’s history.

    The new industry commitments raise to over $46billion the total current value of planned investment in infrastructure, services and support to ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition since the platform opened in March 2022.

    “Universal meaningful connectivity is within our grasp. Thanks to these new commitments, millions of people will benefit from accessible and affordable connectivity across the world,” Bogdan-Martin said.

    The commitments announced at MWC include $6 billion between 2024 and 2026 for accessible and affordable network connectivity and digital services across countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia; China Telecom’s over $1.4 billion to rollout fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), providing high-quality information and communication services to over 80 million people in remote administrative villages

    Ooredoo’s $1.1 billion for connectivity in the developing markets ranging from North Africa to the Indian Ocean; and VEON’s $600 million in building the infrastructure of Ukraine, providing connectivity and digital services essential to the reconstruction of the country.

    Chief Regulatory Officer, at the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSMA), John Giusti, commended the push of the ITU scribe.

    Giutsi said: “I applaud the ITU Secretary-General’s focus on the importance of infrastructure investment to enable the digital economy. Mobile operators continuously invest in deploying and upgrading their networks, delivering benefits to citizens in all corners of the globe. I congratulate China Telecom, Ooredoo and VEON on their investment pledges. I am encouraged that MWC is the event of choice for such commitments and for collaboration between the public and private sectors.”

    According to data from ITU, 2.6 billion people remain offline worldwide. As telecommunications infrastructure forms the backbone of connectivity and digital transformation, it is vital for closing that global digital divide and overcoming development impediments in areas from education and health to government services and trade.

    ITU has called for $100 billion in overall investments by 2026 to provide the expertise and resources required to extend universal, meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation to every corner of the globe.

    In addition to infrastructure, Partner2Connect commitments can support other critical needs including building digital skills and increasing digital inclusion. The new commitments from e&, China Telecom, Ooredoo and VEON are expected to be implemented over the next 2-5 years.

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    ITU announces largest, most diverse industry and academia membership in its history.

    ITU’s expanded membership base will build on the UN Digital Agency’s unique contribution to the UN system. Global membership has evolved over the organization’s 159-year history to reflect changing technologies and the expanding digital ecosystem in our everyday lives.

    Bogdan-Martin said: “We are excited to welcome our new members, who join ITU’s long history of innovation built on public-private partnerships that have shaped technology’s place in society.This multi-stakeholder model of collaboration will continue to be a strong force in the UN system to bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive, safe and sustainable digital future for all.”

    ITU’s industry members collaborate with governments, academia, and civil society to develop new international standards and guidelines that shape the future digital economy. ITU members together implement projects and initiatives extending access to digital services across the world.

    Two-thirds of ITU’s sector members are from industry, with the rest divided between academia and regional or international organizations. They come from developed and developing economies in regions spanning the globe.