In today’s international development field, practitioners and policymakers need to pay attention not just to underserved communities and their needs but also to the social, economic, and legal environments in which those communities operate. In an increasingly digitized global economy, banks, markets, schools, and even doctors’ offices are migrating to and incorporating online platforms to manage everything from online payments to medical records. Without adequate technology access and widespread digital literacy, many communities in emerging markets will continue to fall behind—on and offline—exacerbating what’s known as a “digital divide.”

The Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) is a U.S. Government interagency effort led by the Department of State and co-chaired by USAID that seeks to promote an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet worldwide. This includes helping U.S. partner countries harness the power and opportunity of the digital economy and adopt policies aligned with international best practices.