9.C\u00a0<\/strong>Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \u00a0Telecommunications infrastructure, be that mobile telephone, radio, broadband fiber, or satellite, is the foundation of communication, social services and digital transformation as a whole. Inclusive and equitable digitalisation is not possible without ubiquitous, equitable, and inclusive infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n Telecommunication regulation plays a central role in innovation and inclusion as the telecom regulators strive to create a level playing field for competitive telecom markets that deliver secure, and good quality communication services to all.<\/span><\/p>\n Small actors entering the market are often the most innovative as they are close to underserved communities and groups. Digital tools also increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises in developing countries to financial services, including affordable credit, support their integration into local and global value chains and markets.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> SPIDER has worked with innovation in various ways, uniting young African change leaders in a Social Innovation Network, led the development of International Training Programme for Regulators that has now grown into a EU-Africa collaboration and stimulated partnerships that lead to new solutions and tech eco-systems that garner the energy of promise to ensure more people reap the benefits of digitalisation without discrimination.<\/p>\n SDG 9 is instrumental to the achievement of all the SDGs, without roads, power, communications infrastructure, we fail to deliver on any other goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Strong institutions are necessary for democracy, justice and human rights. Digital infrastructure also contributes to national and regional innovation and regulatory authorities are central to unlocking affordable internet, functioning business environments, free media and public services.<\/b><\/p>\n SPIDER has since 2017 coordinated Sweden's investment in supporting African telecom regulatory authorities in leading change within their specific contexts.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n 2023 this was scaled to European level with up to 43 African countries involved in the programme that spans into 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n SPIDER's close link to the International Telecom Union's mission is clear and we have been humbled that Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin was our keynote speaker not only for the SPIDER Digital IUmpact and Network event in 2021, but also chose to kick-start the Girls in ICT campaign by the UN agency with us at SPIDER at DSV, Stockholm University in March 2023.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>SPIDER is committed to digital innovation, infrastructure and inclusion<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>