Digital connectivity and the SDGs: Conceptualising the link through an institutional resilience lens

In this paper we contribute to the discourse on digital connectivity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a focus on low and middle-income countries (LMICs). While digital connectivity has been showcased as a “hidden hero” for restoring societal functioning during the pandemic, the theoretical link between digital connectivity and the achievement of fundamental development objectives as articulated in the SDGs has been under-researched. Drawing on the theoretical lens of institutional resilience, we study how mechanisms of resilience-building through digital connectivity policies within Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa align with the policies in place to attain the SDGs. Adopting the methodology of critical policy analysis, we identify commonalities between the countries in terms of the policy and institutional arrangements for expanding digital connectivity and in terms of national planning efforts for achieving the goals of Agenda 2030. We offer a new conceptualisation about ICTs and the SDGs by bringing to light, through empirical evidence, the lack of alignment between the policy and institutional arrangements for expanding the reach of digital connectivity and the achievement of developmental goals. • Digital connectivity assumed to be a key driver for attaining the SDGs. • Building institutional resilience to integrated policy vision and enactment. • Critical policy analysis conducted in Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa.