EU Swedish Presidency: Financing digitalisation for inclusive and green growth
12.06.2023 09:00 UTC+2
Delivering on Global Gateway and the Sustainable Development GoalsThe Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the D4D Hub, are pleased to organise the ‘Financing digitalisation for inclusive and green growth: Delivering on Global Gateway and the SDGs’ event!
Given the importance of digital technologies for reaching the SDGs, the main purpose of this event is to discuss and explore innovative methods of mobilising funds and matching needs and accessing financing for a sustainable digital transformation.
Representatives from public and private sector, as well as financiers, are invited to present best practices in financing connectivity and the green & digital transition with a view to scale them up in a #TeamEurope framework.
Key issues to be discussed
- Which are the mandates and roles of involved stakeholders in creating an enabling environment for mobilising sustainable financing for investments in digitalisation?
- Which are the enablers and constraints as seen from various stakeholder perspectives?
- What can be learned from cases where a favourable mix of instruments have been mutually supportive to mobilise sustainable financing for investments in digitalisation and development?
Speakers (high level):
Setting the stage on the need for digitalization for reaching the SDGs and the role of Global Gateway
- SE Minister for international development cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell (video message)
- Commissioner Urpilainen (video message)
- INTPA DG Koen Doens,
- Sida DG Carin Jämtin,
- Swedfund DG Maria Håkansson
- Ericsson Vice President Fredrik Jejdling
- GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd
- Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek
- M-Pesa/Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa
- Shari Spiegel UNDESA/head of analyisis FSDO - to give global overview of SDGs digital landscape etc
- EIB vice president, Thomas Östros
- CEO MTN, Mitwa Kaemba Ngámbi
- What are factors for constraints and enablers?
The global connectivity landscape is characterized by vast imbalances, commonly referred to as the digital divide. In terms of internet usage, the divide is clear between countries, rural and urban populations, young and old – and there is a persistent and large gap between women and men. Every third human is offline and is excluded benefits of digitalisation. Connectivity must be meaningful in terms of speed, reliability, affordability and access to devices. To ensure the safety of users and their data, all infrastructures, both domestic and international, should be built in partnerships with trusted equipment providers and telecommunication operations.
Description:
The session aims to present concrete examples of constraints and enablers based on different stakeholders’ experiences.
- Introduction of topic (5 min) - moderator San Bilal? Mikaela Gavas, CGD.
- Case 1: BCS (building fiber optic backbones) (5 min) Insights on financing in African. Currently in discussions with INTPA on regional fibre optic backbones in Southern and Eastern Africa. Speaker: Yonas Maru, Founder and Managing Director, BCS, yonas@bcs-ea.com
- Case 2: Finnfund
- Case 3: EIB Global (Markus Berndt) on EFSD+ how it works, how EIB is financing digitalisation for sustainable development outside the EC/ : Enablers (5 min)
Carl to complete EIB speaker - Case 4: Amundi – on possibilities and challenges of investing in digitalisation in development countries – what is needed etc (5 min)
Private capital perspective – AP3 and/or AP4 Karin to complete – on how they look upon investment opportunities in digitalization of EMDE - Case 5: Nokia: constraints
Case 6: Africinvest - Case 7: BeneFactors Ltd is a Rwandan-based startup that provides innovative financing solutions to businesses to increase access to high-speed internet services in Rwanda.
- Case 8: Norrsken Foundation
Comments
Nanjala Nyabola (CSO) - ‘meaningful connectivity’- tbc (2 min)
- Guided discussion (20 min)
- Q&A with physical & virtual participants (20 min)
- Recap (5 min)
Climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a reality that threatens the livelihoods and opportunities of the most vulnerable and marginalized social groups and communities.
Sensors, satellite technologies, autonomous drones, Internet of Things and applications of artificial intelligence are at the verge of altering how we communicate and collaborate. These technologies could, if developed with a clear direction and used responsibly, help the world accelerate innovations that would support a transition to climate adaptation and resilience, help protect and steward key ecosystems and help the most vulnerable achieve a just and prosperous future within planetary boundaries.
Description:
The session aims to present concrete examples of constraints and enablers based on different stakeholders’ experiences.
- Introduction of topic (5 min)
- Case 1: Financing renewable energy: GET.invest (5 min)
- Case 2: Milkywire (5 min)
- Case 3: Climate investors: AP3 or AP4 and Allianz – on how they would like to invest in digitalization in developing economies etc and Amundi/ development banks (EIB) (5 min)
- Case 4: Someone from LAC (5 min)
- Case 5: Green sovereign bonds (EIB / Green cli -mate fund (10 min) SDG Soverign bonds and Green bonds UNDP, Thomas Beloe/Camilla Bruckner or Tenke Zoltani
- Case 6: Aquatech – Kenya (5min)
- Case 7: Bigger/medium company? SAP? Combine with case 4? Intra American Development Bank? LAC-Telcom company?
To cover PPPs? - Case 8: Swedfund – EDFI
- Guided discussion (15 min)
- Q&A with physical & virtual participants (20 min)
- Recap (5 min)