Technology Diffusion in Emerging Markets
Description
Technology Diffusion in Emerging Markets (2026–2035) explores how innovations spread across developing economies, shaping productivity, competitiveness, and long-term development trajectories. The report shows how emerging markets have historically benefited from technology transfer and “leapfrogging,” using mobile devices and decentralised technologies to bypass expensive legacy infrastructure. It positions diffusion as a core driver of economic convergence, while warning that the pace of adoption is becoming increasingly uneven across regions and demographics.
The report highlights major diffusion successes—especially in mobile penetration, smartphones, mobile internet, and digital payment ecosystems that have transformed commerce, finance, education, and healthcare. At the same time, it stresses that digital divides remain structural: low-income populations, rural communities, women, and older groups often experience significantly slower adoption due to affordability constraints, connectivity gaps, and skills limitations. It also examines how agricultural technologies—such as improved seeds, irrigation, and mechanisation—are improving yields, but adoption remains constrained for smallholders due to costs, knowledge barriers, and limited extension services.
Finally, the report evaluates industrial technology diffusion and clean technology deployment, showing how robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0 adoption is increasingly concentrated in more industrialised emerging markets, while others fall further behind. It argues that diffusion is slowing in certain sectors because foundational bottlenecks—power reliability, internet access, regulatory constraints, and skills gaps—limit uptake even when technologies are globally available. The report concludes by outlining what governments, development institutions, and the private sector can do to accelerate adoption, narrow inequality, and prevent widening technology-driven divergence.
The report highlights major diffusion successes—especially in mobile penetration, smartphones, mobile internet, and digital payment ecosystems that have transformed commerce, finance, education, and healthcare. At the same time, it stresses that digital divides remain structural: low-income populations, rural communities, women, and older groups often experience significantly slower adoption due to affordability constraints, connectivity gaps, and skills limitations. It also examines how agricultural technologies—such as improved seeds, irrigation, and mechanisation—are improving yields, but adoption remains constrained for smallholders due to costs, knowledge barriers, and limited extension services.
Finally, the report evaluates industrial technology diffusion and clean technology deployment, showing how robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0 adoption is increasingly concentrated in more industrialised emerging markets, while others fall further behind. It argues that diffusion is slowing in certain sectors because foundational bottlenecks—power reliability, internet access, regulatory constraints, and skills gaps—limit uptake even when technologies are globally available. The report concludes by outlining what governments, development institutions, and the private sector can do to accelerate adoption, narrow inequality, and prevent widening technology-driven divergence.
Table of Contents
26 Pages
- 1. Executive Summary
- 2. Technology Diffusion Theory and Patterns
- 3. Mobile and Digital Technology Diffusion
- 4. Digital Divide Dimensions and Inclusion Gaps
- 5. Agricultural Technology Adoption and Productivity
- 6. Industrial Automation and Manufacturing Technology
- 7. Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Diffusion
- 8. Barriers to Technology Diffusion
- 9. Regional Variations in Adoption Pathways
- 10. Acceleration Strategies and Policy Recommendations
- 11. Outlook to 2035: Risks, Opportunities, and Scenarios
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