Digital Economy Report: Pacific Edition 2024

The 2024 edition of the Pacific Digital Economy Report builds upon the foundation set in 2022, providing a deeper exploration into the region’s progress and the emerging complexities of digitalization. Digital transformation continues to reshape the Pacific, offering both vast opportunities and substantial challenges. With advancements in digital connectivity, businesses are increasingly leveraging e-commerce, digital payments, and digital trade to access broader markets, helping overcome the long-standing ‘tyranny of distance.’ However, the journey toward a robust digital economy remains uneven. This edition emphasizes three strategic pillars: ICT infrastructure, digital entrepreneurship, and digital trade. It outlines ongoing connectivity improvements, such as new submarine cables and expanding mobile networks, while highlighting persistent hurdles like affordability, resilience, and unequal access. Digital entrepreneurship is explored as a crucial driver for the Pacific’s economy, spotlighting the struggles and successes of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and addressing the critical need for supportive policy environments. The report also examines the potential of digital trade to bridge geographic gaps, detailing the initial steps Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have taken to engage in global digital trade. The report underscores how digital tools can address socioeconomic challenges but also warns of the risks of widening inequalities. As the speed and scale of digital advancements grow, this edition calls for adaptive and inclusive digital strategies, with special attention to rural communities, women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The 2024 report features qualitative insights from interviews and case studies, capturing real-world examples and offering a nuanced understanding of the region’s digital economy. It concludes with actionable recommendations, aligning with national and regional strategies to foster a more inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem for sustainable growth.