Current Country Status and Key Initiatives to Support SDG 9 Targets

9.2.1 - Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita.

9.2.2 - Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment.

• Investment in Industrial Infrastructure & Workforce Development: Governments should allocate funding toward industrial infrastructure expansion, vocational training programs, and public-private partnerships to drive job creation in the manufacturing and service sectors. Establishing industrial parks with modern facilities, offering targeted skill development programs, and fostering collaborations between businesses and educational institutions will enhance workforce readiness. Strengthening apprenticeship programs and industry-led certification systems can further support employment growth.
• Development of Foundational Industrial Infrastructure for Economic Growth: Prioritising essential industrial infrastructure such as reliable energy access, efficient transportation networks, and affordable financing for small businesses is crucial for economic stability. Governments can invest in upgrading logistics hubs, expanding accessible energy grids, and implementing financial support schemes for small enterprises. Providing low-interest industrial loans and streamlining regulatory processes will enable businesses to scale efficiently while boosting regional economic activity.
• Advancing Renewable Energy & Eco-Friendly Industrial Practices: Investing in sustainable energy solutions and environmentally conscious industrial policies will create long-term employment opportunities while minimising ecological impact. Governments can promote solar and wind energy integration into industrial operations, establish regulatory incentives for clean production techniques, and support research in circular economy innovations. Encouraging companies to adopt green manufacturing standards and resource-efficient technologies will further enhance environmental sustainability.

• Advancing Technological Innovation for Competitive Industries: Governments and private sector leaders must prioritise research and development (R&D) initiatives that drive technological advancements in manufacturing and digital sectors. This can be achieved by creating innovation hubs, funding cutting-edge R&D projects, and incentivising collaboration between universities and industries to accelerate technological breakthroughs that enhance production efficiency and global competitiveness.
• Promoting Export-Oriented Industries for Economic Growth: Policymakers should implement trade-friendly regulations, reduce barriers to international commerce, and establish strategic alliances to strengthen export-oriented industries. Initiatives should include expanding global market access for domestic manufacturers, streamlining customs procedures, and providing financial incentives that encourage businesses to scale operations for international trade.
• Up-skilling Workers for High-Value Manufacturing and Digital Sectors: Governments should invest in vocational training and digital literacy programs to equip workers with advanced skills necessary for modern industries. This includes funding technical education institutes, developing on-the-job apprenticeship programs, and fostering partnerships between technology firms and training institutions to ensure continuous learning that aligns with evolving industry demands.
• Supporting Research and Development for Sustainable Green Technologies: Policymakers and industry stakeholders must commit to advancing green technologies by allocating resources to energy-efficient manufacturing and environmentally sustainable production methods. This can be done through tax incentives for sustainable business practices, establishing grants for clean energy research, and promoting the adoption of eco-friendly materials in industrial processes.

• Promoting Green Manufacturing and Low-Carbon Industrial Innovation: Governments should incentivise the adoption of green manufacturing practices by offering tax credits and grants for facilities that invest in cleaner production technologies. This includes supporting the use of renewable energy in industrial operations, reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based inputs, and promoting low-emission equipment upgrades. Establishing dedicated research hubs for industrial decarbonisation and providing funding for applied R&D in areas like alternative materials and process optimisation will further accelerate sustainable transformation.
• Fostering a Just Transition in the Age of Automation: Automation should be embraced without compromising workforce stability. This means expanding vocational training and re-skilling initiatives to prepare workers for high-demand roles in green industries, digital manufacturing, and maintenance of automated systems. Governments can partner with industry to co-design apprenticeships, digital literacy programs, and transitional income support mechanisms, ensuring that workers are not left behind amid technological change.
• Embedding Circular Economy Principles in Industrial Regulation: New industrial policies should be grounded in circular economy thinking, mandating waste reduction, product life-cycle extension, and materials reuse. Regulatory measures could include extended producer responsibility laws, mandatory recycling rates, and product eco-design standards. Supporting industrial symbiosis networks—whereby the waste of one enterprise becomes the input for another—can create resource efficiencies and spur innovation in materials recovery and design.
• Regulating for Emissions Reductions and Resource Efficiency: To hold industry accountable for its environmental footprint, governments must enact stringent emissions caps, introduce carbon pricing or trading schemes, and establish performance-based resource consumption benchmarks. These should be accompanied by robust monitoring systems and penalties for non-compliance, alongside support programs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) transitioning to greener practices. Transparency tools such as public emissions registries and corporate sustainability disclosure requirements can also drive accountability and stakeholder engagement.

• Revitalising Local Enterprises as Pillars of Economic Recovery: Post-crisis industrial policies should place local business restoration at the forefront of economic reintegration efforts. Governments can offer micro-grants, concessional loans, and tax deferrals to help enterprises resume operations and rebuild supply chains. Support centres for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be established to provide legal aid, market re-entry assistance, and advisory services on rebuilding production capacity. Prioritising local procurement in public infrastructure projects can further stimulate demand and reinvest capital back into affected communities.
• Attracting International Investment Through Stabilization Measures: To catalyse recovery, governments should implement investor confidence-building strategies such as risk guarantees, transparent regulatory frameworks, and targeted investment promotion campaigns. Special Economic Recovery Zones with streamlined customs procedures and favourable investment terms can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into sectors essential for long-term development. Collaboration with multilateral institutions and diaspora investment platforms can provide additional channels for capital inflow.
• Creating Employment Programs for Inclusive Economic Reintegration: Labour-intensive recovery programs should be developed to offer immediate employment opportunities while rebuilding critical infrastructure and services. These programs might include wage subsidies for businesses hiring local workers, public works employment schemes in reconstruction, and vocational training initiatives aligned with emerging economic sectors. Particular attention should be paid to youth, women, and displaced populations to ensure equitable access to livelihood restoration.
• Integrating Ecosystem Rehabilitation into Industrial Recovery Planning: Recovery strategies must embed environmental restoration as a foundational element of industrial redevelopment. This includes reforestation of degraded lands, restoration of wetlands and coastal buffers, and clean-up of industrial spill zones. Nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure and sustainable land-use planning should be prioritised to enhance climate resilience while supporting community health and biodiversity regeneration.
• Designing Sustainable Industrial Recovery Frameworks: Industrial redevelopment should avoid a return to carbon-intensive norms. Governments can mandate low-carbon technologies in rebuilt facilities, promote circular production models, and enforce environmental performance criteria for recovery funding eligibility. Supporting green entrepreneurship and eco-industrial clusters can encourage innovation while aligning post-crisis growth with long-term sustainability goals.

9.3.1 - Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added.

9.3.2 - Proportion of small-scale industries with a loan or line of credit.

• Microfinance Programs for Accessible Capital: Governments should introduce micro-finance programs that provide low-interest loans without collateral requirements to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. These programs can be designed to prioritise marginalised communities, offering flexible repayment terms and mentorship opportunities. Establishing government-backed loan guarantees and partnering with financial institutions will further enhance credit accessibility.
• Expansion of Digital Banking & Mobile Credit Solutions: To ensure underserved entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, have access to financial services, governments should promote digital banking and mobile credit platforms. Strengthening mobile banking networks, reducing transaction fees for small-scale users, and integrating digital identity verification will improve accessibility. Providing technical support for digital financial literacy and expanding mobile payment infrastructure will ensure seamless adoption.
• Integration of Financial Literacy into Business Development Efforts: Governments should incorporate financial literacy training into entrepreneurial support programs to help business owners navigate lending options effectively. Offering workshops, online courses, and mentorship programs on budgeting, risk management, and investment planning will empower entrepreneurs. Partnering with financial institutions to provide advisory services can further strengthen long-term business sustainability.
• Investment in Rural Transportation Infrastructure: Enhancing rural transportation networks is critical for small producers to connect with markets efficiently. Governments should invest in road expansion, affordable logistics hubs, and improved transport subsidies for agricultural and manufacturing businesses. Establishing rural trade corridors and upgrading infrastructure will minimise logistical bottlenecks and increase economic productivity.
• Financial Support for Small Enterprise Growth: Governments should implement subsidies for production inputs and facilitate direct trade agreements to help small businesses enter regional and international markets. Providing affordable access to raw materials, incentivising export opportunities, and reducing trade barriers will improve competitiveness. Trade agreements that prioritise small enterprise inclusion will foster sustainable economic development.
• Public-Private Partnerships for Aggregation Hubs: Encouraging public-private partnerships to establish aggregation hubs will enable small businesses to consolidate goods for larger-scale distribution. These hubs can function as regional trade centres, optimising supply chain management and increasing market reach. Government incentives, infrastructure investments, and collaborative funding models will ensure aggregation hubs are accessible to entrepreneurs.

• Reducing Borrowing Costs Through Financial Competition and Loan Guarantee Schemes: Governments must implement financial sector reforms that encourage competition among banks and lending institutions, driving lower interest rates and more accessible credit for small enterprises. This can be achieved by promoting transparency in lending practices, reducing regulatory barriers for new market entrants, and expanding government-backed loan guarantee programs to mitigate risks for lenders while ensuring affordable financing options for underserved businesses.
• Establishing Small Business Development Funds for Innovation and Expansion: Dedicated funding programs should be created to support early-stage enterprises, providing entrepreneurs with the capital needed for innovation and business growth. Governments can establish grants, low-interest loans, and equity investment initiatives tailored to start-ups, ensuring these businesses have the necessary financial backing to scale operations, develop new products, and enter emerging markets.
• Strengthening Digital Banking Infrastructure for Remote Credit Access: Investments in digital financial systems should be prioritised to ensure entrepreneurs can access credit and banking services remotely. This includes expanding secure mobile banking platforms, integrating AI-driven credit assessment tools for faster approvals, and incentivising financial institutions to adopt inclusive digital payment solutions that improve accessibility for small business owners in underserved regions.
• Reducing Bureaucratic Barriers in Trade Policies for Small Enterprises: Policymakers must streamline trade regulations to allow small businesses easier access to export markets. This involves simplifying documentation requirements, reducing tariffs for start-ups engaged in international trade, and digitising cross-border business registration processes to eliminate unnecessary administrative hurdles that slow down expansion.
• Investing in Digital Trade Infrastructure to Enhance Competitiveness: Governments and private stakeholders should collaborate to strengthen e-commerce platforms, digital payment systems, and logistics networks that enable small businesses to thrive in regional and international markets. By improving digital trade accessibility, enterprises can integrate into supply chains more efficiently, compete with larger corporations, and expand their consumer base beyond local markets.
• Expanding Supply Chain Financing Programs for Business Growth: Financial institutions should establish targeted supply chain financing initiatives that provide businesses with flexible credit solutions to bridge working capital gaps. This can be achieved by developing invoice financing programs, supporting trade credit insurance mechanisms, and fostering partnerships with fintech providers to create automated financial tools that facilitate liquidity management for scaling businesses.

• Expanding Access to Equity Financing and Impact Capital for Small Enterprises: Governments and financial institutions should launch targeted investment facilitation programs that provide small businesses with access to equity funding, venture capital, and impact finance. This can include the establishment of government-backed venture seed funds, match funding schemes with private investors, and dedicated impact investment platforms that align financial returns with social and environmental goals. Technical assistance units should also be created to support small enterprises in developing bankable investment proposals and navigating capital-raising processes.
• Scaling Sustainability-Linked Financial Incentives: To drive environmentally responsible business growth, financial incentives must be tied to sustainability performance metrics. This can involve offering green loans with favourable interest rates, sustainability-linked bonds for high-performing businesses, or milestone-based subsidies for companies that meet emissions reduction or circular economy targets. Public financial institutions can play a catalytic role by de-risking early investments into clean technologies adopted by small and medium enterprises.
• Supporting Technology Investment and Workforce Development Through Targeted Tax Relief: Small businesses investing in new technologies and workforce up-skilling should benefit from tailored tax credits and direct financial assistance. Measures could include accelerated depreciation for digital equipment purchases, payroll tax exemptions tied to employee training programs, and innovation vouchers that subsidise research collaboration between small firms and academic institutions. These tools ensure that smaller firms can remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven market landscape.
• Embedding Ethical Sourcing and Fair-Trade into Trade Policy Frameworks: Policy frameworks should require transparent and enforceable standards that promote ethical sourcing and fair-trade partnerships with small producers in lower-income countries. This includes creating certification systems, offering trade preferences for goods that meet labour and environmental standards, and providing grants or technical aid for compliance with fair-trade labelling. Regional trade blocs could also introduce clauses that mandate support for local content development and supplier equity.
• Fostering Inclusive Supply Chains Through Corporate Incentives: Large corporations can be encouraged to integrate small enterprises into their supply chains by offering tax incentives, co-investment grants, or preferential procurement benefits. Supplier diversity programs can mandate a portion of sourcing from SMEs, while public procurement frameworks can be revised to reward partnerships between large anchor firms and small business networks. These collaborations improve market access and create knowledge spill overs that benefit smaller suppliers.
• Investing in Advanced Logistics for Small Business Market Integration: Public-private investments in digital and physical logistics infrastructure can dramatically reduce market entry costs for small businesses. Governments can fund shared warehousing hubs, e-commerce fulfilment centres, and intelligent transport systems that streamline inventory management and distribution. Additionally, open-data platforms and logistics APIs can improve route planning, shipment tracking, and cost forecasting—enhancing small business participation in domestic and global value chains.

• Launching Emergency Financial Assistance for Displaced Entrepreneurs: Governments and humanitarian agencies should establish grant and low-interest loan programs tailored to entrepreneurs affected by conflict and displacement. These emergency funds must offer quick, low-barrier access to capital for restarting businesses, rebuilding inventory, and covering basic operating costs. Delivery should prioritise ease of access through simplified applications, inclusive eligibility criteria, and partnerships with local financial service providers and business support organisations.
• Coordinating Post-Conflict Credit Access with Donors and Development Banks: International donors and financial institutions should create coordinated credit support frameworks aimed at the long-term reintegration of war-affected businesses into the formal economy. This could include credit guarantee facilities to reduce risk for lenders, credit scoring systems adapted for informal enterprises, and refinancing mechanisms that relieve debt burdens accumulated during conflict periods. These initiatives must be closely aligned with economic stabilisation plans and local banking reforms.
• Expanding Mobile Financial Services in Crisis-Affected Regions: Mobile banking and digital finance platforms must be rapidly scaled to reach communities cut off from traditional banking infrastructure. Governments and fintech firms should collaborate on secure, low-cost mobile payment systems, enabling displaced entrepreneurs to access savings, credit, and insurance without physical branches. Digital identification services, biometric verification, and regulatory support for e-KYC can further improve financial inclusion under crisis conditions.
• Establishing Emergency Trade and Market Stabilization Mechanisms: Post-crisis trade stabilisation programs should address market fragmentation and revive disrupted supply chains. Immediate actions may include reopening cross-border trade posts, facilitating temporary trade corridors, and deploying emergency logistics services to restore market linkages. Stabilization funds can provide price guarantees for essential goods, support bulk procurement for critical inputs, and help re-establish business-to-business commerce.
• Rebuilding Infrastructure to Reconnect Small Businesses to Markets: Strategic infrastructure investments should focus on transport routes, communication networks, and digital infrastructure that directly enable small business recovery and market access. This includes repairing roads and ports that connect rural producers to urban buyers, restoring fibre-optic and mobile networks to facilitate digital transactions, and constructing logistics hubs where businesses can safely store and distribute goods. These projects must be designed to generate local employment and promote equitable regional development.
• Integrating Flexibility for Post-Conflict Economies into Trade Agreements: New and existing international trade agreements should incorporate adaptable provisions for businesses in post-conflict settings. This includes phased compliance timelines, relaxed documentation requirements, preferential tariff schemes, and technical assistance for meeting quality and safety standards. Trade rules should allow for temporary domestic preference policies and safeguard mechanisms to nurture fragile local industries during reintegration

9.4.1 - CO2 emission per unit of value added.

• Technology Transfer Programs for Energy-Efficient Production: Governments should invest in technology transfer initiatives that enable small industries to adopt energy-efficient and low-waste production methods. Establishing research and development partnerships with academic institutions and technology firms will facilitate access to modernised, eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Creating funding mechanisms to support the acquisition of clean production technologies will enhance industry-wide sustainability.
• Subsidies & Tax Incentives for Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: Providing financial incentives for companies adopting environmentally responsible practices will accelerate the transition to sustainable production. Governments can introduce tax deductions for businesses implementing energy-saving manufacturing techniques, offer grants for carbon-neutral facilities, and subsidise the purchase of low-emission industrial equipment. A structured certification system will ensure compliance with green manufacturing standards.
• Public-Private Partnerships for Recycling & Sustainable Packaging: Collaborating with private enterprises to develop waste recycling infrastructure and sustainable packaging solutions will minimise environmental degradation. Governments should promote circular economy initiatives, encourage investment in biodegradable packaging alternatives, and provide funding for material recovery facilities. Expanding community-based recycling programs and corporate waste reduction initiatives will further enhance environmental sustainability.
• Subsidy Programs & Tax Breaks for Clean Technology Investment: Governments must create targeted subsidy programs and tax reductions to encourage small businesses and local industries to adopt clean technologies. This can include offering financial assistance for energy-efficient machinery, incentivising renewable energy adoption, and providing technical training on low-impact industrial practices. Strategic support for small enterprises will ensure broader participation in green industrial development.
• International Aid for Green Technology Transfer: To ensure emerging markets access affordable sustainable technologies, international aid programs should focus on transferring cost-effective green innovations. Governments and global development agencies should prioritise technology-sharing agreements, funding for eco-friendly industrial upgrades, and cooperative manufacturing initiatives. Facilitating technology adaptation through localised training programs will strengthen industry resilience.
• Capacity-Building for Sustainable Industrial Practices: Training workers and business owners in sustainable production methods is essential for clean technology adoption. Governments should develop vocational training initiatives focused on energy-efficient manufacturing, resource conservation, and waste reduction. Collaborating with industry experts, trade associations, and educational institutions will ensure local expertise supports long-term environmental stewardship.
• Green Industrial Development Funds for Financial Support: International organisations and high-income nations should provide financial assistance through dedicated green industrial development funds. These funds can be allocated toward renewable energy-powered manufacturing zones, low-carbon production facilities, and large-scale eco-friendly infrastructure projects. Establishing global financing partnerships will enhance industrial sustainability.
• Sustainable Infrastructure Projects for Resource-Efficient Industry: Governments must prioritise infrastructure investments that support renewable energy-powered industrial zones and resource-efficient manufacturing facilities. Developing integrated smart grids, optimising industrial water recycling systems, and promoting sustainable logistics networks will drive long-term economic and environmental benefits. Policymakers should ensure that infrastructure projects align with international climate goals and sustainable development frameworks.
• Expanded Technology Transfer for Affordable Clean Production: Governments should broaden technology transfer programs to ensure small industries can access cost-effective clean production solutions. Facilitating low-cost licensing agreements, establishing innovation hubs, and providing technical assistance for sustainable production adaptation will accelerate industry-wide transitions. Strengthening cooperation between research institutions and private sector developers will further enable accessible green technologies.

• Enforcing Regulatory Frameworks for Emissions Reduction and Sustainable Resource Management: Governments must strengthen environmental regulations by implementing enforceable carbon reduction targets and resource efficiency mandates for key industrial sectors. This includes setting clear emissions caps, developing sustainable resource extraction policies, and ensuring compliance through monitoring mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance.
• Incentivising Clean Energy Transitions in Industrial Zones: Policymakers should offer financial incentives, such as tax breaks and grants, to industries adopting solar, wind, and other clean energy solutions. This can be complemented by infrastructure investments in renewable energy grids, smart power distribution systems, and sustainable energy storage solutions that enhance efficiency in industrial operations.
• Introducing Industry-Wide Training Programs for Green Technology Adoption: Training and education initiatives should be launched to equip businesses with knowledge of energy-efficient technologies, eco-friendly material use, and best practices for sustainability. Governments and private sector partners can collaborate to develop workshops, certification programs, and advisory services to ensure widespread adoption of environmentally responsible production methods.
• Implementing Stricter Environmental Standards for Industrial Processes: Regulatory bodies must enforce waste management policies, stricter carbon reduction measures, and pollution control standards. This includes mandating eco-friendly production techniques, requiring industries to develop waste reduction strategies, and introducing clear reporting mechanisms to track compliance with environmental goals.
• Facilitating Public-Private Partnerships for Renewable Energy-Based Manufacturing: Governments should foster collaborations between industrial stakeholders and clean energy developers to accelerate the adoption of renewable-powered production facilities. Public investment programs can support research and infrastructure development that makes renewable energy integration more accessible for businesses.
• Integrating Sustainability Clauses into Trade Agreements: Policymakers must negotiate trade deals that embed environmental compliance standards, requiring industries to meet global green benchmarks. These agreements should incentivise sustainable supply chain practices, promote investment in clean technology exports, and create a competitive advantage for industries adopting eco-friendly production methods.
• Expanding Tax Incentives and Sustainability-Linked Loans for Clean Technology Investments: Governments should introduce targeted financial instruments that reward businesses for investing in green technology. This includes sustainability-linked loans with favourable terms, subsidies for renewable energy adoption, and tax exemptions for companies prioritising carbon neutrality and waste minimisation.
• Aligning Regional Trade Agreements with Global Green Manufacturing Standards: Trade policies must reflect environmental sustainability goals to ensure industrial exports comply with international green production criteria. This involves harmonising regional regulatory frameworks with globally recognised sustainability metrics and supporting industries in transitioning toward climate-friendly production models.

• Enforcing Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Regulations: Governments should implement stringent regulations that shift industrial focus from linear extraction to resource recirculation. This includes mandatory material recovery benchmarks, landfill reduction targets, and bans on hard-to-recycle materials. Industries must be required to design for disassembly and reuse, while incentives—such as reduced waste disposal fees—should reward businesses that exceed recycling and recovery standards. Enforcement agencies must be equipped to monitor compliance and support capacity building in emerging sectors.
• Accelerating Research and Eco-Innovation in Sustainable Production: Public R&D programs should prioritise low-impact production methods, bio-based materials, and clean energy integration. Targeted grants can catalyse collaboration between universities, start-ups, and established firms in the pursuit of process innovation. Governments may establish green innovation clusters and eco-tech incubators that lower the barriers to commercialisation for sustainability-focused inventions, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of continuous industrial improvement.
• Shifting Market Demand Through Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Broad, multilingual public awareness initiatives must emphasise the environmental costs of unsustainable consumption and promote the benefits of circular economy alternatives. Governments can deploy public broadcasting, school curricula, and certification labels that help consumers identify sustainably produced goods. Fiscal tools, such as rebates for durable products or eco-tax credits, can further encourage ethical purchasing patterns.
• Scaling Investment in Next-Generation Clean Technologies: Clean technology R&D must receive scaled-up investment through long-term public-private funding models. Governments can prioritise green hydrogen, carbon capture and reuse, biodegradable industrial inputs, and electrification of manufacturing processes. Strategic support instruments could include low-interest innovation loans, performance-based investment grants, and demonstration project funding to bridge the gap from lab to market at an international scale.
• Promoting Industrial Symbiosis and Closed-Loop Production: Policymakers should incentivise cooperative industrial ecosystems that turn by-products and waste into inputs for other sectors. Creating industrial symbiosis zones with shared logistics, waste processing, and resource exchanges can maximise efficiency and cut down on raw material dependence. Digital platforms that match waste outputs with potential industrial users can enhance transparency and reduce transaction costs for symbiotic exchange.
• Mandating Transparent Environmental Impact and Sustainability Reporting: To ensure accountability, industries must be legally obligated to publish regular, auditable reports on emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation. These disclosures should align with global standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Transparency can be reinforced through penalties for misreporting and public scoring systems that benchmark corporate environmental performance.
• Leadership by Industrial Economies and Global Technical Support: High-income industrial nations must take the lead by implementing binding sustainability targets across sectors and timelines. These countries should also establish funding and knowledge transfer platforms that help emerging markets comply with sustainability protocols. Technical assistance might include toolkits for green industrial policies, workforce training modules, and joint R&D ventures focused on regional production needs and climate resilience.

• Integrating Sustainable Technologies into Industrial Reconstruction: Reconstruction strategies must adopt resource-efficient technologies from the outset, ensuring that newly built infrastructure and production facilities minimise environmental impact. Governments and aid agencies should require green design standards, such as energy-efficient machinery, closed-loop water systems, and emissions-reducing materials. Procurement policies can prioritise low-carbon construction inputs and mandate sustainability impact assessments as part of industrial redevelopment plans.
• Deploying Green Energy and Waste Management for Displaced Communities: International aid efforts should focus on providing renewable energy systems and scalable waste solutions for displaced populations. This includes installing off-grid solar or wind microgrids in camps and transitional housing areas, along with mobile waste recycling units and decentralised sanitation systems. These approaches reduce environmental degradation, enhance community dignity, and lay the groundwork for long-term service resilience.
• Rebuilding Industrial Infrastructure with Sustainability at the Core: Humanitarian infrastructure programs must align short-term recovery with long-term environmental goals. Funding facilities should support retrofitting or rebuilding of industrial assets using clean production technologies, modular green building designs, and electrified transport systems. Public-private partnerships can help embed climate-smart technologies into post-conflict industrial parks and logistics hubs, fostering sustainable value chains from the ground up.
• Restoring Damaged Ecosystems Through Emergency Rehabilitation Programs: Post-conflict areas often suffer from significant ecological disruption, including deforestation, contaminated soils, and degraded waterways. Emergency rehabilitation programs should prioritise ecosystem restoration by funding native species replanting, environmental clean-up operations, and wetland recovery. These efforts not only repair environmental damage but also provide jobs, prevent future disasters, and improve public health outcomes.
• Introducing Mobile and Decentralised Renewable Energy for Fragile Economies: In regions where traditional grid infrastructure is unreliable or destroyed, mobile and decentralised renewable solutions offer immediate and scalable energy access. Governments and donors should support the deployment of solar mini-grids, containerised biogas plants, and hybrid battery storage units tailored to industrial use. These systems enable factories, agro-processors, and small manufacturers to operate in energy-constrained environments while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Prioritising Green Industrial Recovery Programs in Reconstruction Plans: Post-crisis recovery frameworks should treat green industry development as a cornerstone of national revitalisation. Incentive schemes can support green tech entrepreneurs, while recovery financing can be conditional on sustainability milestones. Establishing green industrial clusters and eco-innovation zones in rebuilt areas can anchor long-term industrial resilience and climate alignment.

9.5.1 - Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.

9.5.2 - Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants.

• National Innovation Funds for Scientific Research & Technology Startups: Governments should establish national innovation funds with international development support to finance scientific research and emerging technology startups. These funds can provide grants for breakthrough research, startup incubation programs, and industry-led innovation initiatives. Strengthening collaboration with global development agencies and venture capital networks will ensure sustainable funding mechanisms that drive technological advancement.
• University-Industry Collaboration for Applied Research & Industrial Growth: Encouraging stronger partnerships between universities and industries is essential for fostering applied research opportunities that directly contribute to economic development. Governments should support joint research programs, facilitate knowledge exchange through innovation centres, and incentivise industries to invest in academic research projects. Establishing technology transfer offices within universities will streamline commercialisation of research findings.
• Incentivising Public-Private Partnerships for Innovation & Technology Transfer: Governments should offer financial incentives to encourage long-term public-private partnerships focused on innovation hubs and technology transfer programs. These partnerships can fund research laboratories, support incubation spaces for startups, and facilitate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. Providing tax credits and regulatory support for collaborative innovation projects will accelerate technological integration.
• Investment in Digital Infrastructure & Advanced Technology Integration: Expanding digital infrastructure is crucial for industries integrating advanced technologies into production processes. Governments should invest in high-speed broadband networks, cloud computing systems, and smart manufacturing platforms. Providing subsidies for businesses adopting AI, automation, and data analytics tools will enhance industrial efficiency and competitiveness in the global market.
• Technology Transfer Programs for AI & Automation in Small Manufacturing: Public-private partnerships should prioritise technology transfer programs to ensure small manufacturers access affordable AI and automation solutions. Establishing government-backed innovation hubs and funding digital transformation initiatives will enhance industry-wide adoption. Partnering with tech companies to provide software licensing grants and operational training will improve production efficiency.
• Strengthening Technical & Vocational Training in Industrial Technology: Equipping the workforce with necessary skills for high-tech industrial sectors requires robust technical education and vocational training programs. Governments should integrate hands-on learning modules, industry apprenticeships, and specialised certification courses into national skill development programs. Collaborating with technology firms and manufacturing enterprises will ensure curriculum relevance and job placement.
• National STEM Education Programs for Early Research & Technology Exposure: Governments should implement nationwide STEM education initiatives to cultivate early interest in research and technology fields. Introducing coding, robotics, and engineering programs at the primary and secondary education levels will build a future-ready workforce. Establishing science fairs, innovation competitions, and mentorship programs will further inspire young talent to pursue technical careers.
• International Cooperation for Scholarship & Exchange Programs: Global collaboration is key to advancing expertise in emerging technologies. Governments should partner with international organisations to develop scholarship programs and academic exchange initiatives focused on advanced research areas. Funding cross-border research projects and facilitating student mobility will strengthen knowledge-sharing and technological development.
• Industry-Academia Collaboration for Vocational Training & Apprenticeships: Local industries must work closely with educational institutions to offer apprenticeships and vocational programs in innovation-driven sectors. Establishing industry-sponsored training centres, developing internship pipelines, and aligning educational curricula with industry demands will ensure graduates acquire practical skills needed for evolving technology landscapes.

• Expanding Tax Incentives for Private Sector Innovation Investment: Governments should broaden tax benefits for businesses investing in research and development, ensuring sustained financial support for technological innovation. This includes implementing tax credits for R&D expenditures, offering subsidies for high-risk innovation projects, and facilitating public-private funding programs to encourage long-term private sector participation in cutting-edge development.
• Strengthening Digital Research Infrastructure for Technology-Driven Development: Policymakers must prioritise investments in high-speed internet and data-sharing platforms to enhance collaboration among researchers, businesses, and institutions. This can be achieved through expanding broadband access in underserved areas, integrating cloud-based research networks, and supporting the development of secure, interoperable databases that streamline information exchange across sectors.
• Developing Regional Innovation Clusters for Knowledge-Sharing and Commercialisation: Governments should establish technology hubs and research parks that foster collaboration between start-ups, universities, and corporations. By creating shared workspaces, co-funding innovation labs, and incentivising industry-academia partnerships, innovation clusters can accelerate the commercialisation of research while strengthening regional economic development.
• Encouraging Investments in Emerging Technologies through Tax Incentives and Grants: Policymakers must provide targeted financial incentives for companies investing in machine learning, smart manufacturing, and other emerging fields. This includes creating grant programs to fund experimental projects, reducing tax burdens on AI-driven businesses, and promoting industry-wide adoption of advanced technologies that optimise production processes and efficiency.
• Expanding Industrial AI and Automation Access Through Innovation Hubs: Governments and private sector stakeholders should collaborate to establish technology parks dedicated to AI and automation integration. By providing businesses with access to AI-driven tools, supporting pilot projects in automated manufacturing, and facilitating industry-wide training on AI utilisation, these hubs can accelerate sector-wide transformation.
• Standardising Cybersecurity Protocols for Industrial Data Protection: Regulatory frameworks must enforce stringent cybersecurity measures to safeguard industrial data against cyber threats. Governments should mandate compliance with global data protection standards, introduce automated threat detection systems for industrial networks, and incentivise companies to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure that ensures reliability in automated processes.
• Establishing Workforce Training Centres for Emerging Technologies: Vocational training centres should be created to equip workers with specialised skills in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy. By integrating these programs into national workforce development strategies, funding continuous up-skilling initiatives, and partnering with industry leaders to design hands-on training curricula, governments can ensure long-term workforce adaptability.
• Providing Tax Incentives for Employee Re-skilling and Technical Education: Businesses should be encouraged to invest in workforce education through tax benefits and financial support mechanisms. This includes offering tax deductions for employee training programs, funding industry-led certification courses, and developing incentives for companies prioritising technical skills enhancement among their workforce.
• Directly Funding University-Linked Industry Research Programs: Governments should allocate dedicated funding to universities conducting industry-aligned research. This involves supporting cross-sector research initiatives, funding faculty-led innovation projects, and ensuring students gain practical experience through structured partnerships between academic institutions and corporations.

• Scaling Investments in Breakthrough Technologies: Governments should establish high-impact innovation funds specifically targeted at emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy. These funds can fuel early-stage R&D, pilot projects, and commercialisation pathways that align with national industrial transformation strategies. Special focus should be placed on mission-driven investments, where public support is tied to solving systemic societal challenges—such as climate change or public health—through technological advancement.
• Aligning R&D Funding with Sustainable Industrial Strategy: Innovation policy frameworks should integrate long-term sustainability criteria into public research grants, tax credits, and academic-industry partnership programs. Mechanisms like green R&D budgeting and environmental impact scoring for technology proposals can ensure alignment with climate, biodiversity, and social justice goals. Ministries of industry, science, and environment should coordinate to embed these standards into national innovation agendas.
• Investing in Next-Generation Industrial Systems: Funding for cutting-edge applications—such as quantum computing in industrial optimisation, AI-powered logistics, and autonomous systems for resource efficiency—should be significantly expanded. These technologies can revolutionise production and supply chains, lowering emissions and boosting productivity. Governments can create specialised technology acceleration zones and public procurement programs that serve as launchpads for scale.
• Mandating Energy-Efficient and Renewable Production Methods: To drive sustainable industrial transformation, regulations should require firms to implement energy-efficiency benchmarks and adopt renewable energy systems in production processes. Standards could include minimum performance criteria for machinery, mandatory decarbonisation roadmaps, and sector-specific emissions targets. Public financing tools such as green leasing or low-interest retrofit loans can ease the cost of compliance for smaller enterprises.
• Deepening International Technology-Sharing and Equity Initiatives: Global platforms for technology transfer—especially between high-income and lower-income nations—must be strengthened through co-development agreements, licensing partnerships, and capacity-building grants. Institutions like development banks and multilateral R&D funds can support cross-border innovation labs, digital commons platforms, and open-source repositories to democratise access to breakthrough knowledge.
• Expanding Interdisciplinary Research and Skills Training: Governments should invest in university and vocational programs that promote interdisciplinary expertise—integrating AI, data science, environmental science, and engineering. Fellowship grants, industry-embedded research residencies, and curriculum modernisation funding can help produce innovation professionals capable of navigating converging technological frontiers.
• Bridging Global Talent and Research Capacity Gaps: Bilateral and multilateral initiatives should promote mobility for researchers, joint PhD programs, and institutional exchange networks. Funding consortia between governments and foundations can support collaborative research hubs that link talent across borders, reducing brain drain and fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems.
• Ensuring Sustainable Career Pathways in Innovation Sectors: To attract and retain top talent, policies should ensure competitive compensation, workplace diversity, and long-term career progression for researchers and engineers. Governments can support innovation ecosystems by funding tenure-track research positions, start-up mentoring programs, and labour protections for precariously employed R&D professionals—creating a resilient and motivated innovation workforce.

• Channelling Emergency Research Funding Toward Innovation-Driven Recovery: Governments and international donors should establish fast-track emergency research funds aimed at rebuilding technological capacity in post-conflict settings. These funds can support innovation projects that address local recovery needs such as affordable construction materials, remote sensing for land rehabilitation, or distributed water purification systems. Emphasis should be placed on applied R&D with rapid deployment potential, supporting both short-term resilience and long-term competitiveness.
• Strengthening International Academic Collaboration for Displaced Researchers: Global academic institutions should expand fellowships, visiting scholar programs, and remote research residencies for scientists and scholars displaced by conflict. Establishing international consortia dedicated to crisis-responsive research can facilitate knowledge continuity, while offering displaced professionals a platform to contribute to scientific advancement. Visa flexibility and digital research infrastructure are key to ensuring broad participation and reintegration.
• Deploying Mobile and Decentralised R&D Solutions in Fragile Regions: Mobile research centres equipped with modular labs, diagnostic tools, and connectivity can bring innovation capabilities to areas lacking stable infrastructure. These units can serve multiple functions: testing new industrial processes, training local talent, and supporting adaptive technology deployment. Governments and global tech partners should co-finance decentralised R&D networks tailored to regional needs, enabling innovation despite logistical and political constraints.
• Rebuilding Industrial Infrastructure with Advanced Productivity Technologies: Post-conflict infrastructure investments should prioritise modern, productivity-enhancing technologies from automated manufacturing lines to AI-assisted quality control. International organisations can provide technology blueprints, procurement assistance, and capacity-building programs to help local industries leapfrog outdated systems. Recovery grants and concessional loans can be tied to the adoption of sustainable and energy-efficient industrial technologies.
• Introducing Mobile Tech Labs to Support Industry Resilience: Mobile fabrication labs (fab labs), 3D printing centres, and tech-equipped maker spaces can empower industries in unstable areas to test, prototype, and adapt production processes. These mobile labs bridge the gap between disrupted supply chains and local innovation needs, promoting flexibility and reducing downtime. They can also serve as hubs for mentorship and innovation incubation within recovering industrial zones.
• Up-skilling Displaced Workers for Industrial Technological Reintegration: Workforce recovery initiatives should include modular training programs in automation, smart manufacturing, and digital tools. Governments can partner with industry leaders to create fast-track certification schemes and apprenticeships that reintroduce displaced workers to evolving labour markets. Special emphasis should be placed on inclusion of youth, women, and formerly informal workers to ensure equitable reintegration.
• Prioritising Displaced Research Professionals in Education and Workforce Programs: Specialised education and retraining programs should target displaced researchers and technical professionals. This includes bridge programs to update skills in emerging disciplines, career pathway advisory services, and stipends to support continued professional development. Recognising and validating previous credentials is crucial to enable smooth transitions into local and international job markets.
• Developing Mobile and Remote Learning Platforms for Continued Skill Development: Digital learning platforms, optimised for low-bandwidth environments can provide flexible, ongoing education in industrial and research disciplines. These platforms should feature multilingual content, mentorship networks, and offline-accessible modules, ensuring that learners in fragile regions are not left behind. Public-private collaboration can enhance content relevance and delivery scale.
• Rebuilding STEM Education Infrastructure for Long-Term Technological Advancement: International support should prioritise restoring and modernising STEM education facilities in post-conflict regions. This includes refurbishing labs, supplying updated equipment, training educators, and revising curricula to reflect global technological trends. Alignment with local industrial recovery plans ensures that educational investments directly support workforce and innovation capacity for the future.

9.a.1 - Total official international support (official development assistance plus other official flows) to infrastructure.

• Securing Concessional Loans & Grants for Infrastructure Development: Governments should collaborate with international development banks to secure concessional loans and grants for priority infrastructure projects. Establishing dedicated financing programs for transport, energy, and digital infrastructure will ensure long-term economic resilience. Streamlining loan application processes and aligning projects with sustainable development goals will enhance funding accessibility.
• Promoting Public-Private Partnerships for Equitable Investment: Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) can attract private sector investment while ensuring equitable access to essential services. Governments should introduce regulatory incentives for private investment, develop risk-sharing mechanisms, and establish infrastructure investment funds to support PPP-driven projects. Strengthening transparency in partnership agreements will ensure accountability and sustainability.
• Creating Special Investment Zones for Infrastructure Development: Governments should designate special investment zones to finance large-scale transport, energy, and digital infrastructure projects. Offering tax incentives, streamlined regulatory processes, and investment guarantees will encourage private and international participation. Developing integrated industrial corridors within these zones will enhance economic connectivity and market expansion.
• Establishing Technology Incubators for Small Enterprises: With international assistance, governments should set up technology incubators that provide small enterprises and industries access to modern industrial tools and training. These incubators can serve as innovation hubs, offering technical mentorship, startup grants, and industry collaboration opportunities. Encouraging cross-sector partnerships will further enhance technological adoption.
• Expanding Public-Private Joint Ventures with Global Technology Firms: Governments should facilitate joint ventures between domestic industries and global technology firms to advance production techniques. Providing co-financing options, regulatory support, and market access incentives will strengthen industry competitiveness. Technology-sharing agreements and collaborative research initiatives will drive industrial innovation.
• Developing Knowledge-Sharing Platforms for Industry Collaboration: Creating national and regional knowledge-sharing platforms will enable industry leaders and research institutions to collaborate on addressing local technical challenges. Establishing digital forums, hosting technology summits, and developing cross-sector research networks will enhance expertise exchange and problem-solving capabilities.
• Concessional Financing for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects: International organisations should provide concessional financing to support essential infrastructure development without imposing excessive debt burdens. Structured funding models, long-term repayment plans, and interest-free grants can ensure financial stability while fostering development in emerging economies.
• Prioritising Transparent Governance Frameworks for Infrastructure Investment: Governments must establish transparent governance frameworks to align infrastructure investments with sustainability standards and long-term economic benefits. Implementing public disclosure requirements, independent oversight commissions, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms will improve project accountability and efficiency.
• Expanding Technical Assistance for Infrastructure Development: Development agencies should enhance technical assistance programs that support infrastructure planning, construction, and maintenance. Providing expert advisory services, engineering support, and capacity-building workshops will ensure effective project execution while fostering sustainable development practices.

• Improving Regional Connectivity Through Integrated Transport Systems and Smart Cities: Governments should prioritise infrastructure investment that enhances mobility and urban efficiency. This includes developing interconnected transport networks, expanding smart city technologies such as traffic optimisation systems and digital governance platforms, and integrating sustainability-focused infrastructure to support long-term economic development.
• Implementing Long-Term Infrastructure Financing Models: Policymakers must introduce sustainable financing mechanisms, such as infrastructure bonds and sovereign wealth funds, to ensure consistent funding for major projects. This involves establishing dedicated investment channels for large-scale transport, energy, and technology initiatives, securing long-term private-sector involvement, and maintaining fiscal policies that support infrastructure expansion without excessive public debt.
• Providing Special Incentives for Green Infrastructure Development: Governments should offer financial incentives such as tax credits, subsidies, and grants for renewable energy infrastructure projects. This includes prioritising low-carbon building materials, expanding eco-friendly transportation networks, and supporting green innovation in urban planning to ensure that sustainability remains a central pillar of development efforts.
• Encouraging Foreign Investment in Technology-Driven Industries: Policymakers should establish favourable regulatory frameworks that attract international investors and ensure businesses integrate global best practices in their production models. This can be achieved by reducing barriers to foreign direct investment in key sectors, offering incentives for technology transfers, and supporting joint ventures between local firms and global tech leaders.
• Funding Research Universities for Technology Commercialisation: Governments must allocate resources to universities conducting industry-focused research, bridging the gap between academic innovation and commercial application. This includes supporting incubators, patent development programs, and collaborative research projects that accelerate the transition of emerging technologies from concept to market.
• Strengthening Regional Technology Alliances for Cross-Border Cooperation: Policymakers should facilitate international partnerships that promote industrial and research collaboration. This involves establishing shared R&D facilities, harmonising regulations to encourage seamless technology transfers, and fostering intergovernmental agreements that streamline innovation-driven development across multiple markets.
• Incorporating Infrastructure Development Provisions Into Trade Agreements: Trade policies should integrate infrastructure-focused clauses that support cross-border collaboration. This includes creating agreements that enhance logistics connectivity, standardise digital infrastructure regulations, and incentivise joint investment initiatives between neighbouring economies to facilitate industrial expansion.
• Enhancing Public-Private Partnerships Through International Investment Incentives: Governments should strengthen PPPs by offering investment incentives that encourage foreign businesses to contribute to infrastructure development. This involves establishing risk-sharing mechanisms, supporting blended finance programs, and ensuring regulatory stability that attracts long-term institutional investment in transport, energy, and technology sectors.
• Prioritising Funding for Digital and Energy Infrastructure: Strategic investments should focus on expanding high-speed internet networks, renewable energy grids, and digital business ecosystems to support industrial growth and economic integration. Governments must streamline digital infrastructure financing models, advance smart grid technologies, and foster collaborations between telecommunications and energy providers to drive sector-wide innovation.

• Scaling Financial Assistance and Sustainable Investment in Emerging Infrastructure: Developed nations should expand bilateral and multilateral funding arrangements to finance infrastructure development in emerging economies. This includes increasing direct foreign investments, offering blended finance packages, and creating long-term public-private funds focused on inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure. Sustainable financing mechanisms such as green bonds and impact investment funds can be structured to attract institutional capital while aligning with environmental and social safeguards.
• Mobilising Long-Term, Affordable Lending Through Multilateral Institutions: Multilateral financial institutions must be encouraged and enabled to offer long-term, low-interest financing tailored to the infrastructure needs of developing nations. Instruments such as concessional loans, interest rate buy-downs, and grace period extensions can ensure affordability. These institutions can also provide financial guarantees that mitigate project risk, increasing attractiveness for co-financing partners from the private sector.
• Embedding Infrastructure Provisions in International Trade Agreements: Trade agreements should systematically integrate infrastructure development clauses that encourage cross-border infrastructure corridors, financing flows, and technical cooperation. This could include regional infrastructure harmonisation protocols, commitments to streamlined customs and logistics infrastructure, and joint mechanisms for funding strategic assets like ports, rail, and data hubs in underserved regions.
• Enhancing Global Technology-Sharing and Technical Assistance: Governments and international coalitions should significantly scale up technology-sharing agreements and technical cooperation platforms. This includes establishing innovation hubs in collaboration with local governments, sending skilled experts on long-term technical missions, and facilitating South-South knowledge exchanges. These efforts help close capacity gaps and accelerate the localisation of critical infrastructure solutions.
• Developing Digital Education and Training for Advanced Technologies: Digital education platforms must be built or expanded to deliver specialised training in key industrial technologies such as AI, robotics, clean manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. These platforms should be multilingual, low-bandwidth optimised, and co-designed with local institutions. Public-private partnerships can ensure course relevance and create certification frameworks that improve employability and workforce integration.
• Reforming Intellectual Property Systems for Equitable Technology Transfer: To balance innovation incentives with global development goals, IP laws should be refined to permit responsible technology transfer under fair licensing terms. Mechanisms such as patent pools, open-source platforms, and innovation-sharing agreements can allow emerging economies to benefit from technological breakthroughs while still honouring proprietary rights. Multilateral guidelines should define fair-use standards that encourage inclusive innovation.
• Expanding Infrastructure Grants and Technical Aid from Development Banks: Multilateral development banks should increase infrastructure grant envelopes and streamline the delivery of in-kind technical assistance. This includes sending project planning teams, offering pre-feasibility assessments, and helping local authorities design bankable proposals. Focus areas should prioritise underserved regions, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
• Establishing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investment Funds: Dedicated funds should be launched to finance projects that are both climate-resilient and aligned with sustainable development goals. These could include nature-based flood protection systems, resilient road networks, and decentralised renewable energy grids. International partnerships and pooled funding mechanisms can help mitigate the climate risks that often threaten long-term project viability.
• Creating Collaborative Knowledge-Sharing Platforms for Infrastructure Design: Open-access platforms should be developed to support continuous exchange between developed and developing nations on infrastructure design, standards, and performance metrics. These platforms can house case studies, policy toolkits, digital simulation tools, and matchmaking portals for technical collaborations. Regional infrastructure forums can be organised to foster co-creation and peer learning.

• Establishing Emergency Reconstruction Funds for Critical Infrastructure Restoration: Governments and international donors should create rapid-response reconstruction funds to finance the urgent rebuilding of transportation networks, electricity grids, and water systems after conflict or disaster. These funds should be accessible through streamlined channels to ensure timely disbursement and coordinated through recovery task forces that prioritise areas of greatest need and potential for economic revival.
• Prioritising Mobile and Decentralised Infrastructure for Crisis Zones: International development agencies must support the deployment of modular, scalable infrastructure solutions that can operate independently of central systems. Examples include solar microgrids for community-based energy access, portable water treatment units, and mobile cellular towers or satellite-linked connectivity hubs. These decentralised systems enable service continuity and resilience in areas with damaged or non-existent traditional infrastructure.
• Designing Flexible Infrastructure Investment Frameworks for Fragile States: Recovery finance mechanisms should be tailored to avoid long-term debt traps by offering concessional financing terms, grant-to-loan transitions, and phased disbursement based on recovery benchmarks. Infrastructure investment platforms can allow pooled contributions from public and private sectors, while risk-sharing mechanisms help attract capital without overburdening vulnerable economies.
• Introducing Mobile Tech Hubs and Digital Learning Centres for Displaced Stakeholders: To prevent long-term skills and productivity erosion, governments and development actors should deploy mobile technology labs and decentralised digital learning spaces. These hubs can offer remote workstations, vocational training in digital skills, and access to up-to-date technical resources enabling displaced entrepreneurs and professionals to rebuild livelihoods and stay connected to innovation ecosystems.
• Rebuilding Industrial Technology Capacity for Sustainable Recovery: International reconstruction programs should focus on restoring and modernising industrial assets using energy-efficient equipment, smart manufacturing technologies, and green facility design principles. Investment should target sectors that generate employment while reducing environmental impact, such as circular manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, or renewable energy assembly.
• Deploying Emergency Technical Assistance for Infrastructure and Industrial Resilience: Rapid technical assistance missions should be mobilised to assess damage, coordinate reconstruction logistics, and provide engineering expertise. This includes expert support in planning, procurement, quality assurance, and localised adaptation of infrastructure technologies. Such assistance can accelerate recovery timelines and ensure systems are built back safer and stronger.
• Coordinating Emergency Infrastructure Recovery for Regional Stability: International humanitarian organisations must align efforts to rebuild road networks, water infrastructure, and energy systems with economic stabilisation strategies. Integrated action plans linking infrastructure with market access, housing, and health services can amplify resilience and reduce the risk of recurring crises. Joint operations centres and transparent recovery dashboards can improve collaboration and accountability.
• Implementing Flexible, Long-Term Investment Models to Reduce Risk for Fragile Economies: Innovative financing models, such as impact-linked bonds, sovereign resilience funds, or infrastructure-for-equity exchanges, can ensure long-term infrastructure development without unsustainable liabilities. Donor guarantees and multilateral risk buffers can further de-risk investments, encouraging private sector participation while shielding fragile states from future fiscal shocks.

9.b.1 - Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added.

• National R&D Funds for Local Innovation: Governments should establish dedicated research and development (R&D) funds with international development assistance to support local innovation. These funds can provide grants for groundbreaking scientific discoveries, encourage applied research, and strengthen industry collaborations. Partnering with global financial institutions and technology-focused development agencies will ensure sustainable funding for high-impact innovation.
• Strengthening University-Industry Research Partnerships: To integrate research into industrial applications, governments must enhance collaboration between universities and businesses. Establishing industry-sponsored research programs, creating innovation clusters within academic institutions, and facilitating joint patent development will drive technological commercialisation. Governments should offer incentives for companies investing in university-led R&D projects to accelerate knowledge transfer.
• Skill Retention Programs for Domestic Talent: To prevent brain drain and retain skilled researchers and professionals, governments should implement targeted retention programs. These may include competitive salary packages, research funding incentives, and career advancement opportunities within domestic industries. Providing grants for local startups founded by researchers will further strengthen industrial capacity and innovation ecosystems.
• Industrial Development Funds for Emerging Sectors: Governments must establish industrial development funds to support early-stage industries beyond agriculture and raw materials. These funds can finance business incubation programs, provide low-interest loans for technology-driven enterprises, and enable infrastructure expansion for emerging industries. Prioritising sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital services, and biotechnology will promote economic diversification.
• Digital Skills Training for Future Industries: Training programs should equip workers with digital competencies to enter emerging fields such as e-commerce, software development, and renewable energy. Governments can facilitate nationwide digital education initiatives, establish coding boot camps, and partner with technology firms to provide hands-on industry training. Enhancing access to digital up-skilling programs will ensure workforce adaptability in evolving global markets.
• Leveraging International Trade Agreements for Industrial Expansion: Governments should use international trade agreements strategically to integrate new industries into global supply chains, ensuring sustainable market access. Negotiating preferential trade terms for technology-based exports, securing agreements that promote local manufacturing, and facilitating industry-specific trade partnerships will enhance economic competitiveness.
• Regulatory Frameworks for Accessible Technology Licensing: To ensure small enterprises can adopt innovation without legal complexity, governments should streamline technology licensing regulations. Simplifying intellectual property registration processes, reducing licensing costs for small businesses, and establishing advisory services for technology adaptation will promote inclusive industrial growth.
• Expanding Public-Private Partnerships for Industrial Innovation Financing: Governments should incentivise public-private partnerships that provide financial support for industrial innovation. Offering tax benefits for private investment in startup ecosystems, creating collaborative R&D investment platforms, and developing grant funding programs for technology-driven enterprises will accelerate industrial modernisation.
• Modernising Intellectual Property Protection Laws: Updating intellectual property (IP) laws to safeguard emerging industrial technologies and encourage domestic research is essential. Governments should introduce legal frameworks that prevent patent exploitation, enable fair licensing agreements, and support innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Strengthening IP protection will foster a culture of research investment and technological advancement.

• Expanding Tax Incentives for Private Sector R&D Investment: Governments should introduce tax credits and deductions to encourage businesses to allocate resources toward research and development. This includes reducing tax burdens on innovation-driven expenditures, providing grants for experimental projects, and fostering partnerships between government agencies and private firms to sustain technological advancements.
• Funding Innovation Hubs and Research Parks for Collaborative Development: Dedicated financial support should be allocated to research centres that bring together start-ups, academic institutions, and industry leaders. Governments can enhance infrastructure for shared laboratories, provide funding for joint innovation projects, and incentivise technology incubators that accelerate commercialisation of scientific discoveries.
• Strengthening Intellectual Property Regulations for Innovation Protection: Policymakers must update and enforce intellectual property laws to safeguard domestic technological advancements. This includes streamlining patent application processes, ensuring legal frameworks prevent unauthorised use of innovations, and providing incentives for businesses to commercialise new technologies.
• Promoting Investment in High-Value Manufacturing Industries: Economic policies should prioritise the growth of advanced industries such as aerospace, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Governments can support sector-specific R&D initiatives, fund training programs for specialised skills development, and create export incentives for businesses engaged in high-value production.
• Encouraging Economic Diversification Through Non-Traditional Industry Tax Incentives: Policymakers should implement tax relief measures that encourage companies to expand operations into emerging and non-traditional sectors. This includes providing financial benefits for businesses exploring sustainable manufacturing, digital services, and next-generation technological solutions.
• Strengthening Government-Backed Research and Development Centres: Publicly funded R&D institutions should be expanded to support clean technology, automation, and other competitive industries. Governments must allocate resources for state-of-the-art facilities, offer grant funding for industrial research, and facilitate industry-academic collaboration to drive technological progress.
• Streamlining Industrial Permitting for Advanced Technology Adoption: Regulatory bodies should simplify approval processes, reducing bureaucratic delays that hinder businesses from integrating cutting-edge technologies. This involves digitizsng permitting procedures, creating specialised licensing pathways for emerging industries, and ensuring swift regulatory adaptation for technology-driven enterprises.
• Enhancing Research Funding Programs Through Government and Private Sector Collaboration: A robust funding ecosystem should be established to ensure sustainable investment in R&D. Governments can provide direct funding while encouraging corporate contributions through tax incentives, public-private innovation partnerships, and blended financing structures that maximise resource allocation.
• Integrating Environmental Compliance Regulations into Industrial Innovation Strategies: Policymakers should enforce sustainability mandates within industrial development policies. This includes requiring businesses to meet emission reduction targets, adopt energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and implement sustainable resource management practices to align innovation with environmental responsibility.

• Financing Technology Transfer and R&D Capacity Building in Emerging Economies: Governments and multilateral donors should increase targeted financial support for structured technology transfer programs, focusing on enabling local R&D infrastructure development in emerging economies. This includes funding joint research centres, providing grants for licensing of core technologies, and supporting institutional partnerships between local universities and global firms. These initiatives should aim to foster self-sufficient innovation ecosystems rather than dependency on external tech providers.
• Expanding Global Research Collaborations for Inclusive Knowledge Exchange: International science and technology partnerships must actively include researchers and innovators from underrepresented regions. Frameworks such as multilateral research consortiums, collaborative fellowships, and virtual research platforms can bridge geographic divides. National agencies should incentivise domestic innovators to participate in global research agendas by funding mobility programs and co-publication grants that enhance the visibility and impact of their work.
• Prioritising Sustainable Innovation in Clean, Digital, and Energy-Efficient Technologies: Public funding streams should be reoriented to prioritise innovation projects that contribute to environmental sustainability. This includes strategic investments in clean energy technologies, digital tools that reduce energy consumption, and process innovations that boost industrial resource efficiency. Governments may establish sustainability innovation prizes, seed funding for early-stage eco-start-ups, and evaluation criteria that assess the ecological footprint of proposed innovations.
• Developing Strategic Industrial Policies for Ethical and Digital-First Economies: National industrial strategies must integrate ethics-focused AI guidelines, promote transition to advanced digital infrastructure, and position green technologies as pillars of long-term economic leadership. These strategies should be informed by foresight research, involve multi-sectoral consultation, and embed safeguards to ensure inclusivity, labour resilience, and environmental integrity. Policy coherence between industry, education, and environment ministries is essential to deliver results at scale.
• Facilitating Knowledge Transfer via Public-Private Partnerships: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be structured to support mentorship, licensing agreements, and industrial apprenticeships that connect established industry leaders with small firms and start-ups. Government co-funding can de-risk collaboration, while innovation hubs and incubators can serve as physical and virtual spaces where industry experience meets entrepreneurial agility. Such initiatives build bridges between mature sectors and emerging growth engines.
• Promoting Supply Chain Diversification Through Global Economic Cooperation: Global trade and investment dialogues should promote diversified supply chains that reflect shifting consumer demands, climate constraints, and geopolitical risks. This involves supporting the development of regional manufacturing clusters, investing in logistical interoperability, and enabling digital platforms that connect small suppliers to global markets. Cooperation agreements can include provisions for inclusive sourcing and resilience benchmarks for critical sectors.
• Establishing Cross-Industry Regulatory Standards for Global Competitiveness: Governments should coordinate regionally and internationally to harmonise regulatory frameworks that govern emerging technologies, labour rights, product safety, and environmental performance. Creating agile yet consistent standards allows businesses to scale innovations across markets without navigating contradictory compliance requirements. International regulatory sandboxes can also foster experimentation while maintaining high standards.
• Structuring Incentives to Accelerate Next-Generation Technology Adoption: Tax credits, grants, and procurement advantages should be provided to firms adopting technologies such as AI-driven automation, clean manufacturing systems, and advanced materials. These incentives should be performance-based, targeting outcomes like emissions reductions, productivity gains, and workforce up-skilling. Governments can also fund industry-university demonstration projects that de-risk emerging tech applications.
• Forging Global Innovation Agreements for Equitable Industrial Growth: International innovation treaties should be developed to formalise cooperative frameworks for technology co-development, responsible data sharing, and joint IP management. These agreements can include equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, ensure open access to critical climate-related technologies, and promote inclusive innovation ecosystems. Global forums should oversee implementation and monitor progress toward shared development objectives.

• Launching Emergency Innovation Recovery Programs to Rebuild Research Capacity: Governments and international agencies should deploy dedicated recovery funds to restore damaged research infrastructure, procure lab equipment, and reactivate stalled technology development initiatives. These programs should include seed grants for local innovators, fast-track funding for applied R&D addressing recovery challenges, and institutional rehabilitation support for universities and technical centres.
• Strengthening International Academic Partnerships for Displaced Researchers: Global academic institutions should expand mobility fellowships, joint research grants, and digital collaboration platforms to ensure displaced scholars continue contributing to scientific discovery. Support mechanisms must include credential recognition, stipends, and pathways to reintegrate researchers into host or returning institutions, promoting long-term human capital retention in science and innovation.
• Deploying Mobile Research Centres for Innovation in Fragile Contexts: Mobile and modular research units can serve as portable innovation hubs, bringing diagnostics, prototyping tools, and digital libraries to regions with disrupted infrastructure. These centres should support locally driven solutions, enable remote mentoring from international partners, and foster collaboration among displaced and local scientists.
• Embedding Diversification Priorities in Infrastructure Reconstruction Policy: Reconstruction blueprints must aim beyond restoring the status quo by fostering economic diversification. Investments should prioritise infrastructure that supports emerging sectors such as digital hubs, clean-tech parks, and logistics corridors over traditional commodity-reliant projects. Incentives for regional industrial clusters and SMEs in non-traditional sectors can drive broader economic transformation.
• Designing Workforce Rehabilitation Programs for Future-Oriented Industries: Skill development initiatives must align with industries poised for sustainable growth, including digital finance, telecommunications, decentralised renewable energy, and automated services. Programs should feature short-cycle certifications, on-the-job training, and blended learning models accessible to displaced populations, with an emphasis on inclusion and gender equity.
• Supporting Industrial Stability Through International Diversification Grants: Targeted funding should be provided to fragile states through diversification grant schemes and technical assistance for industrial strategy formulation. These funds can support innovation hubs, value chain expansion, and market development in underrepresented sectors, reducing reliance on fragile commodity-based exports and enhancing economic resilience.
• Implementing Innovation-Friendly Emergency Industrial Recovery Policies: Post-conflict regulations must enable businesses to rebuild flexibly and with modern tools. This involves simplifying licensing for start-ups, offering tax incentives for digital adoption, and permitting temporary regulatory sandboxes that allow controlled testing of new technologies in high-need sectors like health, energy, and manufacturing.
• Facilitating Tailored Regulatory Support Through International Policy Partnerships: Bilateral and multilateral partnerships should provide advisory missions to assist governments in creating adaptive industrial policies responsive to evolving economic and technological landscapes. Toolkits, regulatory model templates, and expert exchanges can empower local authorities to craft rules that promote innovation while safeguarding long-term development goals.
• Introducing Mobile Legal Support Platforms for Navigating Innovation Regulations: To help businesses operate in unstable environments, mobile and remote-access legal services should be developed. These platforms can offer multilingual regulatory guidance, compliance tools, and live advisory support, ensuring entrepreneurs have access to accurate, context-sensitive advice even amid political or logistical volatility.

9.c.1 - Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.

• Subsidised Broadband Programs for Affordable Internet Access: Governments should establish nationwide subsidised broadband programs to ensure affordable internet connectivity for underserved communities. Providing financial support for low-cost internet subscriptions, reducing service fees for economically disadvantaged households, and incentivising private telecom companies to offer affordable data plans will enhance digital inclusion.
• Investment in Mobile Internet & Satellite Connectivity for Remote Areas: Prioritizing mobile internet infrastructure, such as satellite-based connectivity and public Wi-Fi networks, will expand access in rural and remote regions. Governments should partner with technology providers to deploy low-cost satellite broadband services, construct rural internet towers, and integrate community-based wireless networks to bridge connectivity gaps.
• Integration of Digital Literacy into Education Systems: Governments must embed digital literacy initiatives into national education frameworks to equip populations with essential technology skills. Introducing coding classes, cybersecurity awareness programs, and online research training will help students navigate digital platforms securely. Collaborating with educators and tech companies to develop modernised curriculums will ensure comprehensive skill-building.
• ICT Expansion in Schools, Healthcare Centres & Community Hubs: Prioritising information and communication technology (ICT) expansion through subsidised mobile networks and public Wi-Fi initiatives will enhance accessibility in critical sectors. Governments should ensure schools, healthcare facilities, and public spaces have free internet access, enabling digital learning, telemedicine services, and e-governance participation.
• International Development Funding for Broadband Infrastructure: Governments should secure international development assistance to finance broadband expansion for rural populations. Partnering with global financial institutions to invest in fiber optic deployment, network upgrades, and cross-border connectivity initiatives will strengthen digital infrastructure. Transparent resource allocation and regulatory frameworks will ensure efficient project execution.
• National Education Policies for Digital Literacy Advancement: To ensure equitable access to technological advancements, digital literacy must be integrated into national education policies. Governments should mandate technology training as part of primary and secondary education, ensuring students develop proficiency in digital tools, online security, and data management.
• Subsidies for Digital Devices & Internet Connectivity: Implementing subsidies for affordable digital devices and internet connectivity will support marginalised communities. Governments should provide voucher programs for low-income families to purchase smartphones, tablets, and laptops, while also reducing broadband subscription costs through targeted financial assistance.
• Investment in Community Technology Centres: Governments should establish community technology centres to provide access to digital tools for education, job training, and entrepreneurship development. Equipping these centres with high-speed internet, coding workshops, business development courses, and remote work opportunities will empower communities economically.
• Embedding Digital Literacy in School Curriculums: To ensure early exposure to technology skills, governments should embed digital literacy programs into primary and secondary education curriculums. Offering hands-on training in computer skills, data analysis, and e-commerce fundamentals will prepare students for future digital careers.

• Promoting Competition in Internet Service Provision to Improve Affordability and Access: Governments must implement regulatory reforms that encourage competition among service providers to lower broadband costs while enhancing service quality. This includes introducing market liberalisation measures, enforcing anti-monopoly policies, and incentivising smaller service providers to enter the market, ensuring diverse options for consumers.
• Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Expansion: Policymakers should facilitate infrastructure-sharing agreements between public and private stakeholders to reduce deployment costs and accelerate connectivity expansion. This can be achieved through co-investment programs, shared fibre-optic networks, and subsidies for rural broadband development, ensuring equitable internet access across all regions.
• Supporting Start-ups Through Government-Backed Innovation Funds for Digital Inclusion: Governments must establish dedicated funding programs for start-ups focused on affordable digital solutions tailored to underserved regions. These funds should support the development of low-cost technologies, mobile-driven financial services, and localised digital access programs that empower marginalised communities.
• Enhancing Competition Among Telecommunications Providers for Better Services: Policymakers should introduce incentives and regulatory measures that promote competition among telecom operators, driving down broadband prices while ensuring reliable connectivity. This involves streamlining licensing procedures, reducing spectrum costs, and fostering innovation in network expansion strategies.
• Providing Investment Incentives for Localised Digital Solutions: Governments should offer tax benefits, grants, and subsidies to businesses developing technology solutions tailored to underserved communities. This includes incentivising language-inclusive applications, mobile banking for remote populations, and affordable cloud-based platforms for small enterprises.
• Promoting Infrastructure-Sharing Agreements for ICT Access in Remote Areas: Policymakers must encourage collaboration between telecom firms, internet service providers, and government entities to reduce the cost of expanding ICT infrastructure. This includes leveraging shared data centres, co-developing fibre-optic routes, and deploying community-based internet hubs that make broadband access more cost-effective.
• Strengthening Competition Among Technology Providers for Lower Prices and Improved Services: Regulatory bodies must ensure a level playing field for technology firms, encouraging competitive pricing models and innovation in digital service provision. Governments can achieve this by reducing barriers to market entry, supporting open-source software development, and facilitating fair access to cloud computing resources.
• Prioritising Internet Affordability Through Digital Accessibility Policies: Policymakers must ensure flexible payment models that improve digital service affordability, particularly for lower-income populations. This includes supporting prepaid broadband packages, community-based Wi-Fi initiatives, and mobile data sharing programs that make internet access more inclusive.
• Expanding Localised Digital Content and Applications for Socioeconomic and Linguistic Inclusivity: Governments and technology stakeholders should collaborate to develop digital content that reflects diverse socioeconomic and linguistic needs. This involves supporting local language translations in apps, funding digital literacy programs, and incentivising businesses to create region-specific online services that cater to various user demographics.

• Ensuring Universal Broadband Access and Digital Equity: Governments should make broadband connectivity a core public infrastructure priority by investing in last-mile fibre-optic networks, community mesh Wi-Fi systems, and rural digital hubs. Policy frameworks must mandate equitable rollout across urban and rural zones, with subsidies or voucher programs ensuring affordability for low-income households. Partnerships with telecom providers can facilitate infrastructure sharing and reduce deployment costs, making universal access both feasible and sustainable.
• Scaling Next-Generation Internet Technologies with Affordability in Mind: Strategic public investments are needed to accelerate 5G expansion while preventing digital exclusion. This includes offering spectrum licenses at reduced rates contingent on affordable service delivery in underserved regions. Governments can co-finance tower construction in remote zones, promote open RAN standards to reduce vendor lock-in, and support research into energy-efficient 5G deployment. Affordability measures must accompany infrastructure investments to avoid deepening the digital divide.
• Strengthening Cybersecurity Regulations and Digital Trust Frameworks: Comprehensive regulatory reform should establish baseline cybersecurity protocols for data protection, identity management, and secure platform operations. Governments can mandate strong encryption standards, create independent digital safety oversight bodies, and require breach transparency reporting. To foster trust in digital ecosystems, inclusive design standards and grievance redressal systems should be embedded into cybersecurity strategies, ensuring digital rights are protected across demographic lines.
• Supporting ICT Infrastructure in Emerging Economies Through Targeted Aid: Developed countries and multilateral institutions should expand targeted aid packages for ICT infrastructure in low- and middle-income nations. These packages can include concessional financing, technology donations, and technical assistance for network planning, regulatory alignment, and skills development. Priority should go to foundational connectivity projects—like national fibre backbones and submarine cable landing stations—that serve as gateways to inclusive digital growth.
• Embedding Environmental Standards into Device Production and Digital Infrastructure: Digital sustainability mandates should ensure that hardware manufacturing and infrastructure development meet environmental standards. Policies can promote the use of recycled materials in devices, mandate e-waste collection and processing systems, and provide eco-design incentives for manufacturers. Governments should also explore "right to repair" legislation to extend device lifespans, reducing environmental footprints while maintaining accessibility and affordability for underserved users.
• Funding Global Digital Inclusion and Access-to-Technology Programs: Digital inclusion initiatives must be internationally coordinated and locally responsive. Governments and global coalitions can support technology access programs that provide devices, digital literacy training, and internet vouchers to marginalised populations. Partnerships with local NGOs and education providers can ensure that inclusion efforts are culturally appropriate and aligned with community needs.
• Prioritising Cybersecurity Education for Safe Digital Participation: To build digitally resilient societies, governments should invest in national cybersecurity awareness campaigns and integrate digital safety modules into school curricula. Certification programs for citizens, SME owners, and public servants can build practical skills in recognising threats and managing data privacy. Specialised scholarships and training centres can support the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in both advanced and developing economies.

• Launching Emergency Digital Infrastructure Initiatives in Post-Crisis Areas: Governments and humanitarian agencies should prioritise the immediate deployment of emergency connectivity solutions in crisis-affected regions. This includes restoring internet backbones, mobile towers, and power sources for digital operations. Emergency connectivity kits equipped with routers, modems, and portable power units should be rapidly deployed to restore access to critical services such as tele-health, digital finance, and online education.
• Scaling Mobile Internet and Decentralised Platforms for Displaced Populations: Long-term connectivity solutions require global coordination and sustained investment. Multilateral partners and donor agencies should co-finance the rebuilding of resilient ICT infrastructure, including undersea cables, national data centres, and regional internet exchange points. Public-private alliances can accelerate deployment timelines while ensuring sustainability and alignment with national digital transformation strategies.
• Prioritising Mobile and Satellite Broadband for Crisis Connectivity: Satellite and low-earth orbit (LEO) internet technologies provide reliable access where terrestrial networks are compromised. International agencies and governments should prioritise partnerships with satellite providers to deliver high-speed connectivity bundles for emergency settings, enabling uninterrupted communication for local authorities, humanitarian actors, and affected populations during recovery phases.
• Establishing Digital Access Programs and Tech Hubs for Displaced Communities: Pop-up technology hubs offering charging stations, device access, internet, and basic digital services can provide lifelines for displaced families. These hubs can be co-located with health or shelter facilities to increase reach and efficiency. Programs should also distribute mobile devices, preloaded with essential tools and offline learning content, ensuring digital equity in recovery operations.
• Reconstructing ICT Infrastructure Through Coordinated International Efforts: International cooperation should focus on resilient and redundant design principles for new ICT systems. Joint investments in secure data infrastructure, 5G-readiness, and open-access regulatory frameworks can create robust digital ecosystems less prone to future disruptions. Capacity-building initiatives should support local institutions in maintaining and expanding these systems post-deployment.
• Expanding Remote Technology Education Platforms for Digital Resilience: Education platforms optimised for post-crisis contexts should offer modular digital skills training covering cybersecurity basics, remote work, digital entrepreneurship, and cloud computing. These platforms must be accessible offline, mobile-friendly, and available in local languages. Partnerships with tech companies, NGOs, and vocational education providers can ensure quality content delivery and learner certification.