The Geneva Research Lab for Digital Impact bridges evidence and action to accelerate connectivity and digital impact efforts.

Global

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that USD 2.6–2.8 trillion, less than 3% of global GDP, could enable meaningful connectivity for all by 2030, indicating that the gap is solvable at a global scale.

Brazil

Over 90% of public schools are connected, yet fewer than 50% have internet connectivity strong enough to support learning, demonstrating that quality, not just access, matters.

Morocco

Despite similar income levels, Morocco paid less than half as much as Jordan for broadband in 2024, highlighting significant differences in affordability among economic peers.

Rwanda

In 2024, broadband in Rwanda cost $19.2/month - almost five times higher than in neighboring Tanzania ($3.9), showing how connectivity prices can vary even between bordering countries.

Africa

Across 38 countries, education rose to Africans’ third priority, signaling growing demand for digital learning and connected schools.

Jordan

Despite similar income levels, Jordan paid more than twice as much as Morocco for broadband in 2024, highlighting significant differences in affordability among economic peers.

Pakistan

Despite similar regional and income contexts, broadband was nearly 4 times more expensive in Pakistan than in Sri Lanka in 2024 - showing that national conditions alone don't explain price differences.

Bangladesh

In 2025, fixed broadband cost six times less in Bangladesh than in Cambodia (USD 2.37 vs. USD 15), demonstrating how similar contexts can face vastly different prices, shaping what schools can afford.

Cambodia

In 2025, fixed broadband cost six times more in Cambodia than in Bangladesh (USD 15 vs. USD 2.37), demonstrating how similar contexts can face vastly different prices, shaping what schools can afford.

Tanzania

In 2024, broadband in Tanzania cost $3.9/month - almost five times lower than in neighboring Rwanda ($19.2), showing how connectivity prices can vary even between bordering countries.

Nigeria

Since 2009, fixed broadband prices have fallen nearly tenfold, illustrating how rapidly markets can evolve and why outdated pricing may result in schools overpaying.

Sri Lanka

Despite similar regional and income contexts, broadband was nearly four times cheaper in Sri Lanka than in Pakistan in 2024, illustrating that national conditions alone do not fully explain price differences.

Kenya

Giga’s school-connectivity work in Kenya didn’t just upgrade infrastructure, it also sparked the creation of a new national e-waste management policy. During Giga-led trainings, ministries recognized that the devices enabling connectivity (like switches and routers) would eventually become e-waste. This awareness prompted government actors to agree on developing an ICT-led e-waste policy to manage the long-term environmental impact of digitalization.

Global

Students who use digital devices for up to one hour per day score, on average, 14 points higher in mathematics, linking connectivity directly to learning outcomes.

Global

A 1% increase in school connectivity raises learning outcomes by 0.06%, and a 1% improvement in learning outcomes increases GDP per capita by 0.19%, underscoring the interdependence of education, connectivity, and economic growth.