The next digital billion: How internet adoption is boosting global growth

Millions of people access the internet for the first time every week. The tide is such that by the end of 2021, the world will likely have one billion more internet users than it did in 2017.

Speed read

• Millions of people join the online ranks every week
• Local and regional internet champions are emerging
• These companies are unleashing new pockets of economic value

This spectacular rise in internet connectivity – mainly driven by the surge in mobile telecommunication – is radically transforming emerging markets, where most new joiners live. Combined with a lack of pre-existing offline commercial infrastructure, this trend is leading to exponential leaps in technology adoption and business model growth.

This is an opportunity. An opportunity which will not only positively impact millions of people, but has the potential to result in tremendous amounts of value for investors over the coming decades. Companies established to serve these populations of new internet users are now providing a broadening range of services that are developing innovative solutions to old problems.

These companies are unleashing new pockets of economic value, often creating markets that didn’t exist before.