Evaluating the Effectiveness of Digital Inclusion Strategies in Bridging the Urban–Rural Development Gap

Abstract

Digital inclusion has become one of the major forces of equitable development in the 21st century. However, in spite of the progress of connectivity and technology in the world, there are stark inequalities between urban and rural populations. This paper is a conceptual analysis of the effectiveness of digital inclusion strategies in reducing the urban-rural development gap from a global perspective. Using recent literature and international measures to assess the intersection of access, affordability, and capability to determine the outcomes of digital inclusion, this study explores empirical research findings in China, India and sub-Saharan Africa that have found that successful inclusion goes beyond infrastructure delivery to include digital literacy, local relevance and institutional coordination. However, this paper argues that while digital inclusion has shifted from the rhetoric of connectivity to the actuality of empowerment, the effects have been unequal because of the disjointed policies and contextual blindness. Finally, this paper recommends a multidimensional model that is based on inclusion, participation, and adaptability to inform future interventions, as sustainable digital inclusion is possible only when physical barriers to digital inclusion are addressed.