As Covid-19 ravages the developing world, digital tech can play a crucial role
- Much more attention is required to ensure that people in the developing and least developed world are equipped with the digital skills needed to tackle the pandemic and find innovative solutions to grow the economy
When we rang in 2021 only a few months ago, there was rising optimism that the worst of the Covid-19 outbreak was over, and that the world could start preparing for the post-pandemic economic recovery as life returns to a semblance of normalcy.
Earlier this year, the consultancy McKinsey predicted that the end of the pandemic is in sight for some parts of the world, especially developed countries where vaccines are becoming more easily available. Since then, the outbreak has worsened dramatically as developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America report rises in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
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For many developing and least developed countries, the resulting delay in returning to normalcy will have serious knock-on effects on businesses, mental health and education, and elevates the need to push forward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to bring about a more inclusive and equal world. An effective way to do this, as evidenced by events of the past year, is through the innovative application of digital technology.
In Togo, for example, digital tools such as smartphones and web platforms have been at the centre of the pandemic response, where they facilitate contact tracing, cash transfers to those in need, and the roll-out of the West African nation’s vaccination programme.
In Indonesia, a national online shopping festival has been launched to help revive consumer spending, looping in 70 e-commerce platforms.
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While the methods may vary, what’s clear is that much more attention is needed to ensure that people in the developing and least developed world are equipped with digital skills, so that they can tackle the pandemic as well as find innovative solutions to grow the economy. For that to happen, we need quality training that not just fosters concrete skills, but also enable learners to create more opportunities for everyone in the digital era.
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Recognition of this growing digital divide and the potential jobs disruption were what motivated the International Finance Corporation (a member of the World Bank Group) and Alipay to join hands in 2018 and launch the 10x1000 philanthropic initiative, with the aim of training 10,000 emerging tech experts and leaders over 10 years.
Our hope is that these talents will bring not only new innovations and growth to their own companies or institutions, but also inspire, motivate and help cultivate 100,000 talented individuals in their home markets and countries, by sharing their experiences, mentoring rising stars or passing on new opportunities.
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A case in point is Indonesian e-commerce start-up Aruna. Two of its three co-founders were among the initiative’s recent trainees; their platform connects local fishermen directly to customers, to help them earn more from their daily catch and break out of poverty. Aruna is also cultivating “local heroes”, namely younger residents of coastal cities and villages who help educate and influence fishermen about the benefits of going digital.
For future participants like them, such forms of dedicated digital training – mainly conducted online – will be able to inculcate the mindset of using technology to further inclusion. By organising guest lectures to be taught by top business leaders and international organisation experts, the training will also help cultivate leadership while providing learners with the exposure to industry insights and trends, and the concrete skills to build businesses or benefit their organisations.
The Covid-19 pandemic is proving to be a global challenge that requires all the innovation and determination that our world can bring together. As we brace ourselves to face this extended health and economic crisis, the world needs localised and long-term solutions that can help end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.
That’s why we believe that closing the digital skills gap in the developing and least developed world and training its future tech leaders is an urgent need, and the way forward to building a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable world.
Ni Xingjun is the chief technology officer at Ant Group, operator of Alipay
