Reflection on the ICT Adoption Pillar in the Departmental Competitiveness Index in Colombia: The Case of Atlántico

The Departmental Competitiveness Index in Colombia (DCI) is adapted from the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) to assess the competitiveness of Colombia’s departments across various dimensions. This index utilizes 102 indicators grouped into 13 pillars and 4 competitiveness factors: Enabling Conditions, Human Capital, Market Efficiency, and Innovative Ecosystem. Within the Enabling Conditions factor, the ICT Adoption pillar plays a crucial role, comprising 7 indicators categorized into ICT Infrastructure (Internet Penetration, Internet Bandwidth, Household Technology Access, and Internet Usage) and ICT Capabilities (Enrollment and Graduation Rates in ICT Programs, and ICT Programs Availability). This paper focuses on analyzing the ICT Adoption pillar results for the Atlántico department in comparison with similar regions in terms of economic development. By examining these findings, the study identifies key strengths and areas for improvement in Atlántico’s ICT adoption. Furthermore, the paper proposes targeted public policy strategies aimed at enhancing these indicators, thereby fostering economic growth and regional competitiveness.