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The EDISON Alliance, a World Economic Forum initiative, has surpassed its goal of connecting 1 billion people to essential digital services. It reached the milestone ahead of its 2025 target. Since its launch in 2021, the Alliance has collaborated with over 200 public and private sector partners across more than 100 countries to deliver digital access to vital services in healthcare, education, and finance.
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Despite these efforts, 2.6 billion people remain unconnected to the internet. This is limiting their access to key services and contributing to economic challenges for individuals and nations alike. The Alliance’s work in South Asia and Africa highlights its success. With initiatives like Digital Dispensaries in India and elsewhere, the Alliance’s has enhanced healthcare delivery through innovative digital solutions, and projects in Rwanda, Bangladesh, and Pakistan improving digital access across sectors.
“Ensuring universal access to the digital world is not merely about connectivity but a fundamental pillar of equality and opportunity,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum. Hans Vestberg, Chair of the Alliance and CEO of Verizon, echoed this, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration to bridge the digital divide.
By 2030, achieving universal internet access could cost $446 billion but would generate $8.7 trillion in benefits for developing nations, underscoring the critical role of digital inclusion in driving economic growth. The EDISON Alliance continues to prioritise expanding access to underserved communities, fostering innovation, and closing the digital gender gap to create a more inclusive digital future.
Read more about the EDISON Alliance here.
