Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues, honoured guests,
We often speak of digital transformation as if it were about technology. But it is not. Technology is the vehicle - connectivity is the engine.
Today, I want to talk about the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs—not as a set of targets, but as a promise. A promise to bridge divides, to unlock potential, and to leave no one behind. And I believe that promise can only be fulfilled if we recognise one simple truth: connectivity is the catalyst that turns ambition into reality.
What does connectivity truly mean in the context of Awaza?
It means a rural farmer accessing real-time market prices on a mobile device—transforming subsistence into sustainability.
It means a remote clinic connecting to a central hospital via telemedicine—saving lives not with bricks and mortar, but with bandwidth.
It means a young student in an underserved region logging into a virtual classroom—gaining the same quality of education as someone in a capital city.
That is the Awaza vision. But vision without infrastructure is just a dream. Digital transformation is how we operationalise that vision. It is not about replacing human judgment with algorithms - it is about amplifying human capacity through data, speed, and reach.
To deliver Awaza, we must focus on three pillars:
1. Infrastructure: We cannot have digital transformation without digital access. We need to invest in broadband, in satellite coverage, and in resilient networks that reach the last mile -because connectivity is not a luxury; it is a utility.
2. Capability: Technology is only as good as the people using it. We must invest in digital literacy - not just for the young, but for everyone. We need to build a workforce that can use, manage, and innovate with digital tools.
3. Governance: Transformation requires trust - and trust requires security and transparency. As we digitise public services, we must ensure data privacy, cybersecurity, and inclusive design. Digital transformation must leave no one behind, not by accident, but by design.
Ladies and gentlemen,
But let us be clear: connectivity alone is not enough. Connectivity without purpose is just noise. We need purpose-driven connectivity—where every megabyte serves a mission, every connection builds resilience, and every digital service empowers a citizen.
The Awaza Programme is our shared roadmap. But the road is built with partnerships—between governments, private sectors, civil society, and international organisations. No single entity can deliver this alone.
This is precisely why the Awaza Programme's Infrastructure Investment Financing Facility (IIFF) is so important. The Facility provides an opportunity to mobilize financing, strengthen project preparation, and help countries turn digital priorities into bankable, high-impact investments.
So I leave you with this:
Let us treat connectivity not as a technical challenge, but as a moral imperative. Let us use digital transformation not to create distance, but to draw closer. This could be through a dedicated partnership platform or roundtable for digital transformation in LLDCs.
Such a platform can bring together governments, investors, development partners, and technical experts around a shared pipeline of digital projects, linking financing with opportunities on the ground, supporting regional cooperation, and accelerating the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
By connecting finance, expertise, and partnerships, we can move from isolated projects to transformative digital ecosystems.
Let us deliver Awaza not as a programme on paper, but as a living, breathing reality for every person we serve.
Because when connectivity meets purpose, transformation is not just possible - it is inevitable.
Thank you.
