Across the world, a new wave of digital infrastructure investments is reshaping the future of connectivity, economic growth, and technological inclusion — particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Governments, multinational corporations, and global institutions are accelerating projects designed to expand broadband coverage, build data centers, lay submarine cables, and strengthen the digital backbone needed for the 21st-century economy.
One of the most significant developments on the global stage right now is Microsoft’s announcement to invest $50 billion in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure across the so-called “Global South” by 2030, a strategy that includes major investments in cloud data centers and connectivity in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. This initiative aims to close the widening AI adoption gap between advanced economies and emerging markets by bringing AI capacity, training, and digital infrastructure closer to underserved populations, with plans to connect up to 250 million people previously cut off from reliable digital access.
In Africa, the digital transformation story is gaining momentum as connectivity becomes a critical pillar of economic and social progress. World Bank programs targeting Eastern and Southern Africa are set to improve internet access for over 180 million people by 2032, enabling millions to join the digital economy and enjoy services ranging from e-commerce to telehealth. At the same time, private investment is flowing into strategic digital platforms. For instance, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation finalized a $50 million equity investment into Cassava Technologies, reinforcing infrastructure that underpins reliable digital services across the continent.
Beyond corporate investments, national strategies are also driving the digital build-out. Ethiopia’s government recently unveiled Digital Ethiopia 2030, a comprehensive digital blueprint focused on extending 5G broadband networks to urban and rural communities, boosting digital literacy, and embedding AI and cybersecurity into public services and economic planning. Such national blueprints illustrate how countries are repositioning themselves not just as consumers of digital technology but as architects of their own digital futures.
Infrastructure projects in Latin America are equally ambitious, as the region grapples with a profound connectivity gap. Less than half of households currently have broadband access, and only a fraction of connections reach speeds above 100 Mbps — a stark contrast with global averages. To meet this challenge, stakeholders are prioritizing investments in 5G networks and fiber-optic backhaul systems, which together will support high-speed mobile broadband and low-latency services. These networks are critical not only for consumer internet but for enabling cloud applications, digital public services, and next-generation industrial technologies.
One of the most exciting developments that underscores this trend is the expansion of global undersea cable systems. Projects like the Humboldt Cable, a planned fiber-optic link between Chile and Australia, promise to deliver unprecedented intercontinental bandwidth, connecting South America’s digital ecosystem directly with Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, ongoing systems like the Equiano subsea cable, which links Western Europe to Southern Africa, continue to strengthen cross-regional internet capacity, facilitating faster and more reliable digital traffic across continents.
Significant digital connectivity projects are also unfolding in the Middle East. A $700 million subsea and terrestrial data cable network connecting the UAE to Turkey is underway, augmenting regional data transmission routes and expanding the infrastructure necessary for supporting emerging AI sectors.
These investments are occurring against the backdrop of broader global strategies. The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), backed by G7 nations, aims to mobilize hundreds of billions in infrastructure capital for emerging economies, including digital networks that are essential to modern economic participation.
The impact of these combined efforts extends far beyond faster internet. By enabling digital public services, supporting AI development, expanding access to online education and telehealth, and empowering micro-entrepreneurs — especially in sub-Saharan Africa — broadband and data infrastructure are becoming engines of inclusive growth.
As these projects advance, Africa, Asia, and Latin America are increasingly poised to bridge the digital divide. With strategic investments from both global corporations and multilateral institutions, the foundation is being laid for a more connected and economically dynamic world.
