A Message From Our Director
Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson
2022 was a transformative year for SPIDER as we set out to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time—the widening digital divide in a post-pandemic world. Inclusive digital transformation was pushed to the foreground by the COVID-19 pandemic, and SPIDER’s strategy 2023-2027 emphasized the importance of deeper stakeholder engagement in a collaborative effort.
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SPIDER serves as a centre that connects experts across sectors and countries to address the needs of partner countries. It focuses on people-centred digital solutions to bridge social gaps and promote economic development.
Thanks to SIDA funding, we significantly expanded our work this past year, reaching over 12 countries and impacting underserved populations in Africa and Asia. Notably, the HADDA project in Somalia used mobile health technologies to enhance healthcare access in remote areas, particularly benefiting women and children. In education, we empowered marginalised groups by providing critical digital skills to help them transition from consumers to innovators in the digital economy.
Projects like GeJuSTA and EQUALS-EU are crucial for advancing gender equity in STEM. GeJuSTA aims to boost African women’s representation, while EQUALS-EU tackles the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM from European and international viewpoints.
By considering STEM inclusion from both the Global North and Global South, we acknowledge the need to adapt global standards to diverse regional realities. This approach ensures that women and marginalised groups gain access to digital tools and can contribute to our digital futures. We aim to widen access to innovation spaces, enabling all voices to shape a more inclusive digital world.
We achieved new milestones with our International Training Programme (ITP) in ICT Regulation, including a redesign to make a Team Europe Initiative with the potential to reach telecom regulatory authorities across sub-Saharan Africa. The programme will expand into French and Portuguese-speaking regions, promoting linguistic inclusivity and building capacity for telecom regulators. We are committed to providing
digital access for all, regardless of background or geography.
Thank you to our partners for making 2022 a significant year for digital inclusion, helping close the digital divide, and supporting a future where everyone benefits from digital transformation.
Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson
Creating pathways for Gender Justice in STEM Research in Africa
2022 was a transformative year for SPIDER as we set out to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time—the widening digital divide in a post-pandemic world. Inclusive digital transformation was pushed to the foreground by the COVID-19 pandemic, and SPIDER’s strategy 2023-2027 emphasised the importance of deeper stakeholder engagement in a collaborative effort
2022 IN REVIEW
Q1
Rebranding and redefining its role in advancing digitalisation in global development.As is the norm, SPIDER participated in fostering internal efficiency through bi-weekly workshops. The highlight of this quarter was SPIDER’s engagement with the ICT regulator from Mozambique, INCM, where data collection and analysis workshops were held
Q3
Launching new projects and partnerships, expanding networks through high-level meetings, field visits and hands-on knowledge exchangeSPIDER strengthened its partnerships and launched significant initiatives across various sectors. A key highlight was a workshop with senior management from AMRTP Mali, which centred on consumer protection and strategic telecom regulation. The GeJuSTA program began, promoting gender equity in STEM in Africa.
Q2
Building capacity, strengthening partnerships and driving impactful engagementSPIDER activities in the second quarter of 2022 were focused on various areas, which included training of peer support workers under DiMHA, participation in the Digital Futures Seminars, activities like the Järva Innovation Camp, and a systems review and network audit performed at MUHAS in Tanzania.
Q4
Forging partnerships and driving digital impact worldwideSPIDER actively participated in high-level discussions and collaborations focused on shaping strategies for digital inclusion and public health. The organisation attended the Global Impact Investment Network Forum in The Hague, where it engaged in conversations about sustainable digital transformation
Inclusive Digitalisation in Global Development
Widening Healthcare Access through digital Solutions
HADDA – Strengthening health systems for wider access. SPIDER’s digital health programme is committed to building resilient, interoperable, and sustainable health systems using scalable, open-source digital solutions tailored to local contexts.
Widening access to Public Services with Digital Solutions
SPIDER’s initiatives in Cambodia have advanced access to information, strengthened partnerships, and supported data-driven actions. Collaborating with Open Development Cambodia (ODC), SPIDER has enabled better monitoring of industries like mining and oil, contributing to greater transparency.
Promoting gender equity in social innovation
2022 was a transformative year for SPIDER as we set out to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time—the widening digital divide in a post-pandemic world. Inclusive digital transformation was pushed to the forefront, highlighting the urgent need for equitable access to technology and digital skills.