Accelerating SDGs through digital innovation: SMEs take center stage at WSIS+20
Unlocking the full power of small businesses through digital innovation could be the key to solving some of the world’s most pressing development challenges.
At the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, the session ‘Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem and Digital Transformation’ spotlighted how digital ecosystems can empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organised by the China Academy of Information and Communication Technology (CAICT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event drew experts from governments, industry, and international organisations to strategise on digital solutions for sustainable development.
Dr Cosmas Zavazava of ITU emphasised that SMEs are the heartbeat of global economies, yet many still lack the digital capacity to thrive. Through the ITU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance—comprising over 100 stakeholders and 17 acceleration centres—efforts are underway to provide universal connectivity and foster sustainable digital transformation.
Xiaohui Yu of CAICT echoed this vision, highlighting the crucial role of developing nations in closing the digital gap and announcing CAICT’s expanded role as an ITU acceleration centre dedicated to tech innovation and SME support.
One key milestone from the session was launching a global case collection initiative to identify best practices in ICT-enabled SME transformation. Countries like South Africa and Kenya shared success stories—South Africa’s Digitech platform and foresight-driven policymaking, and Kenya’s Hustler Fund, which digitises SME financing via mobile platforms like M-Pesa while integrating over 20,000 government services. These examples underscore the need for inclusive infrastructure, affordable digital tools, and coherent policies to bridge divides.
The discussion culminated in a unified call for action: build a ‘platform of platforms’ that connects regional innovation efforts, harmonises cross-border policies, and fosters capacity-building to ensure digital transformation reaches even the most marginalised entrepreneurs. As participants agreed, collaboration must move beyond goodwill to coordinated, sustained action if SMEs are to unlock their full potential in achieving the SDGs.
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