Global Leaders Meet to Address Digital Connectivity Gap
The forum targets infrastructure and policy development to reach the 2.2 billion people currently without internet access.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Data Centers
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The Asia-Africa International Forum 2026 convened in Hanoi to address the persistent digital divide across developing nations. Attendees analyzed data showing that while 74% of the global population accessed the internet in 2025, 2.2 billion people remain offline.
Why it matters
Enhancing digital infrastructure is a strategic priority to facilitate the international exchange of data, technology, and services. The forum highlights the ongoing efforts to reconcile significant connectivity gaps between regions and demographic groups.
Global internet penetration reached 74% in 2025, though regional disparities remain pronounced with Africa reporting a 36% penetration rate. These figures provide the baseline for ongoing international infrastructure discussions.
The players
Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies
An academic institution focused on regional research and international digital cooperation initiatives.
The details
Cooperation efforts focus on synchronizing digital policy, establishing secure cross-border payment systems, and strengthening shared cybersecurity protocols. These initiatives aim to unify disparate regional standards to better integrate Global South countries into the digital economy.
Timeline
December 22, 2024: Vietnam adopted Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW to prioritize national digital transformation.
2025: Global internet usage and connectivity data points were recorded.
October 15, 2026: The Asia-Africa International Forum 2026 was held in Hanoi.
The Tech Race
The forum aligns with the strategic digital transformation priorities established by Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW. This marks a broader effort to synchronize regional development policies to compete with established global digital economies.
Future initiatives from this forum may lead to more standardized cross-border payment systems and improved data protection regulations for users in participating regions. Implementation timelines for these collaborative digital services have not yet been established.
The takeaway
Global leaders are shifting focus toward building collective digital resilience through shared policy and infrastructure frameworks. Observers should track upcoming inter-governmental agreements on cybersecurity standards to measure the actual progress of these cooperation goals.
Further reading
For broader trends in global infrastructure, see our analysis on Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus).
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