This policy paper addresses the urgent need for a new social compact in response to the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasising the pivotal role of digital inclusion and equity, the report underscores their significance in mitigating health and economic risks associated with pandemic-related lockdowns. It explores how the digitalisation of public services and access to them are crucial for citizens’ effective participation in the economy and society, both during the pandemic and in the subsequent economic reconstruction.
Despite the transformative potential of digital strategies, the study reveals missed opportunities by governments in Nigeria, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Peru, and Colombia to effectively deploy digital solutions during the crisis. The report sheds light on how deficiencies in leveraging digital technologies have exacerbated social and economic inequalities, providing insights to rectify these shortcomings.
Conducted by Research ICT Africa (RIA), LIRNEasia, and the Institute of Peruvian Studies with the support of IDRC funding, the research spans six countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, examining the intricate relationship between digitalisation, formality and informality, citizens’ visibility to the State, and the broader implications on taxation, social protection, labor, and education, all within the context of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
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