ITU Secures $82 Billion in Digital Investments to Bridge Global Connectivity Gap

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reached a significant milestone in its drive to close the global digital divide, with fresh pledges to its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition surpassing $82 billion. Announced at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, the commitments reflect growing international momentum to provide universal, meaningful connectivity, as 2.2 billion people worldwide remain offline.

Launched in 2021, Partner2Connect brings together governments, telecom operators, technology companies, and development institutions to align investments in broadband infrastructure, digital skills, and affordable access. The initiative is steadily approaching its ambitious $100 billion target set for the end of 2026, signaling that collaborative investment can make tangible progress toward bridging digital inequalities.

Among the largest recent contributions, Saudi telecom operator Mobily pledged $1.715 billion to expand data centers, submarine cables, 5G networks, and other next-generation infrastructure. Doha-based Ooredoo Group followed with a $500 million commitment to strengthen submarine and terrestrial fiber networks across the Middle East and North Africa. Together, these projects highlight the critical role of backbone infrastructure in enabling emerging markets to compete in a data-driven global economy.

Despite these gains, ITU officials caution that the journey to universal connectivity remains long and costly. Achieving meaningful access for all by 2030 is estimated to require $2.6 to $2.8 trillion, covering not only infrastructure but also regulatory upgrades, digital literacy programs, affordability measures, and safe online participation. Partner2Connect’s transparent system allows pledging countries and companies to track progress, ensuring that investments translate into measurable results rather than symbolic announcements.

Connectivity is increasingly recognized as essential economic infrastructure, underpinning mobile banking, online education, telemedicine, and AI-driven services. Yet affordability and digital skills gaps persist, leaving millions at risk of exclusion. With roughly a quarter of the world still offline, the ITU and its partners stress the urgency of sustained funding and policy reform to prevent the digital divide from becoming a permanent barrier to development.

source: Business day