Page 14 - SAMENA Trends - Gitex Special 2023

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises

MSMEs Critical to Sustainable and Inclusive Global

Development

Connecting MSMEs is critical to The Broadband Commission Working Group on
sustainable and inclusive global Connectivity for MSMEs seeks to identify the Challenges in MSME Connectivity
development. The connectivity of micro, challenges and opportunities of getting more • Relevant data on MSME
small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises connectivity needed to track
to the Internet and broader digital (MSMEs) in low- and middle-income countries progress toward the Broadband
economy is an under-looked development (LMICs) online and engaging in online trade. Commission Advocacy Target
issue. The Broadband Commission Co-chaired by Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, is not available
Advocacy Target 6 focuses on increasing Executive Director of the ITC, and Mr. Mats • There is a lack of global
the connectivity of MSMEs by 50%. Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, core data and understanding of
MSMEs form the largest share of their elements of the Working Group’s research were how MSMEs are using their
economies and are critical to helping to drawn from a major study by the GSMA on the connectivity and the barriers
achieve the SDGs. Digital connectivity digital and financial inclusion of female micro- for those MSMEs not online
helps MSMEs to become more efficient entrepreneurs in Africa and Asia, supported • There is a digital divide between
and grow revenues. Increasing MSME by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and micro and larger enterprises:
connectivity delivers significant social work on digital connectivity and its economic small enterprises have a
and economic benefits. usage by MSME in West Africa by ITC. lower propensity to use digital
connectivity in their business
• The gender digital divide has
resulted in a lack of digital
inclusion for female-led
businesses

Framework for Connectivity
• Universal and meaningful
connectivity for individuals and
households is the focus of the
UN and its agencies.
• The framework for achieving
that goal includes making
access available, affordable,
and relevant, teaching digital
skills, and making access safe
and secure.
• Digital enablers can help
MSMEs to turn connectivity
into economic value, including
cloud services, e-commerce
platforms, digital financial
services, and e-government
services.

14 GITEX SPECIAL 2023