Digital Global Gateway: How can we help?
The digital needs and interests of emerging economies in the Global South remain largely obscure to the EU and most EU member states that wish to strengthen engagement in this important domain by way of the Digital Global Gateway.
Strengthened engagement with emerging economies will serve partner countries’ development, and at the same time contribute to European companies’ competitiveness and the spread of liberal digital norms such as openness, transparency and privacy. Exploring the digital needs of three partner countries – namely Kenya, Vietnam and Egypt – this Policy Brief highlights areas for cooperation.
A key basic need is hard infrastructure, to which the EU Global Gateway investments are now starting to respond. In order to reap the full benefits of such infrastructure, partner countries are also keen to cooperate on cybersecurity solutions, improving digital skills and digitising micro, small and medium enterprises. Equally important are sectoral solutions – such as in agriculture, digital finance, public transportation, e-government, education and health – that help emerging economies to develop in a secure, inclusive enabling digital environment.
The ultimate success of Global Gateway depends on whether projects meet the real needs and goals of partner countries and their populations. To deliver on those needs, EU and EU member state officials must build a greater understanding of the priorities and policy directions of partner countries, as well as of how these partners perceive the EU and its intentions.
Clingendael mini-series on Digital Global Gateway
This Policy Brief is the second policy brief of the Clingendael mini-series on Digital Global Gateway. The first Policy Brief assesses the four digital strengths of the Netherlands. Finally, a third Policy Brief brings the first two together in a ‘match-making analysis’ of Dutch strengths and local needs.
Taken together, the mini-series offers actionable steps for the Dutch government to contribute to the EU’s Global Gateway in the digital domain. EU-wide coordination and cooperation will be facilitated if other EU member states make similar knowledge available, with the aim to boost Digital Global Gateway action.
