Digital Hotspots : Developing Digital Economies in a Context of Fragility, Conflict and Violence

Currently, about ten percent of the global population lives in economies affected by Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV). Climate change, rising inequality, demographic change, sovereign debt and other global trends render fragility increasingly more complex. In recent years, it has become widely recognized that the adoption of digital technologies "can" make a significant contribution to poverty reduction and socio-economic development in countries and regions around the globe, both FCV and non FCV alike, though it is far from sure that they "will". The purpose of this report is therefore to provide an analytical backbone to underpin financial commitments to growing digital economies in FCV countries. The report presents case studies of countries that are recovering from different levels and stages of conflict, with a view towards identifying needed actions to keep ICT sectors afloat in FCV economies. Specifically, the report provides case studies of the development of the telecom sector in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen