Connectivity in Least Developed Countries: Status report 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored how poorly prepared Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are for a digital world. Uneven connectivity within the group has meant that many people and businesses in LDCs could not avail themselves of high-speed networks for remote learning, access to e-government services and online shopping. This report provides an update of digital connectivity developments in LDCs since the 2018 publication ICTs, LDCs and the SDGs: Achieving universal and affordable Internet in the Least Developed Countries (ITU and UN-OHRLLS, 2018). This publication gauges progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 9.c, aimed specifically at digital connectivity in the LDCs.