A new divide has emerged exacerbating the economic and social divide impacting countries all over the world: the digital divide. To bridge these gaps, several countries have committed to bolstering the information society in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

The challenges stemming from the digital divide prompted members of the Leading Group to take interest in an innovative financing mechanism geared towards solidarity in this area through a voluntary contribution of 1% of digital public procurement contracts. This proposal was vigorously supported in the Group by Senegal and by African countries in general. An international conference was held in Lyon, France on digital solidarity in late November 2008.

Several structures are contributing including the Digital Solidarity Fund and the World Digital Solidarity Agency, whose synergy is sought to increase effectiveness. A paragraph was devoted to these issues in the Doha Declaration (paragraph 51a).

Website of the Lyon Conference