Digital inclusion

Digitization has emerged as a key driver for prosperity. However, countries, companies, and individuals often struggle to successfully leverage the power and potential of technology. Cisco launched its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program in 2015 for that very reason—to support governments and their populations to realize and adopt the value of digitization at speed and at scale, while simultaneously fostering a sustainable innovation ecosystem. By establishing an inclusive digital society, countries can help grow their GDP, create next-generation jobs, and effectively propel themselves into the digital age.

To date, CDA has more than 1600 active, completed, or in pipeline projects in 50 countries. For example:

• Cisco and Senac Brasil are bringing education and technology to remote regions in the Amazon, many of which are only accessible by boat, through the “Amazon Floating School.” The ferry school is equipped with Cisco's advanced connectivity technology and offers a range of professional IT training to support the country’s digitization. This is the first floating Cisco Networking Academy and provides free WiFi within a 30-meter radius of the vessel, which promotes digital inclusion for the communities being served by the ferry.
• In partnership with The ICT Service, Cisco equipped 50 Cambridgeshire schools with Meraki sensor and networking technology to boost student engagement while cutting energy consumption, costs, and emissions. With features like nighttime Wi-Fi shutdown and centralized network management, the program has already slashed energy use by a third, demonstrating its significant impact on both the environment and education.
• In Australia, Transport for New South Wales (NSW) is partnering with Cisco to reduce congestion and create safer journeys using AI, sensors, machine-learning solutions, Wi-Fi, and Cisco IoT Edge Computing. We’re using technology to enable a real-time view of supply and demand and performance across buses, ferries, and light rail vehicles; and this data creates the foundation for new services and travel options for the NSW community to benefit from. We aim to accelerate the benefits of a digital transport system that will shape NSW cities, centers, and communities for generations to come.

Cisco and the Cisco Foundation

As digital technologies advance, those without access risk being left further behind. Barriers to access can take many forms, including lack of infrastructure, affordability, and accommodations for users with disabilities. Cisco works strategically to address each one, so that more people can enjoy the benefits of digital connections.

Cisco and the Cisco Foundation invest in early stage, technology enabled, replicable, and scalable education solutions. These solutions expand digital inclusion for all children, positively impacting attendance, behavior, and course outcomes. We partner with nongovernmental organizations around the world to tackle pressing issues, including bridging student learning gaps caused by pandemic-related school closures, increasing female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and supporting teacher capacity-building in lower-income countries.