FOR Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), the constraints of their geography have always been measured in days and dollars, impacting human and socio-economic development.
In the digital era, it is also measured in lost data flows, missed e-commerce sales and opportunities slipping to more connected competitors.
Geography once dictated who could prosper. Today, the decisive factor is digital readiness and those who fail to act risk being cut out of the global economy.
The challenge is no longer just about getting goods to the nearest port; it is about getting ideas, services and transactions into the global digital stream.
High trade costs caused by limited connectivity have kept landlocked nations at a disadvantage for decades, but in today’s economy, the penalty for being digitally disconnected is even greater.
Artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce and seamless cross-border data flows have become the new trade routes, moving value faster and more efficiently than any physical corridor.
Those without the infrastructure and policies to plug into these networks risk being locked out of the next wave of global growth.
On the other hand, countries that have been limited for decades by their geographies can now access a multitude of opportunities where digital services and products can create new solutions to address physical constraints.
Digitalisation of trade, and trade of digital goods and services, can provide the LLDC with new, promising sources of revenue and address long-lasting issues. This shift from geographic limitation to digital opportunity is not theoretical; it is urgent and actionable.
This urgency was front and centre at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Turkmenistan, where global leaders convened to forge a path toward the realisation of the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA).
The dialogue has evolved beyond traditional infrastructure like roads, railways and ports to embrace transformative technologies such as cloud computing, digital trade, AI and digital skills.
Representing Digital Co-operation Organisation (DCO) at LLDC3, my message was clear: Digital transformation is no longer a luxury; it is a fundamental pillar of economic inclusion and innovation.
For the DCO, our commitment to these vulnerable nations centres on driving meaningful digital transformation by uniting governments, investors and innovators to develop scalable solutions.
Additionally, we advocate for strategic resource mobilisation and collaborative efforts to create innovative financing models, foster resilient digital ecosystems and robust infrastructure.
One of the most critical tools supporting this mission is the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) which is a comprehensive digital readiness diagnostic tool that allows governments to see clearly where they stand and where they must improve to compete in the global digital economy.
Drawing on 102 indicators across 50 countries and insights from more than 27,000 users, DEN helps nations identify the specific policy reforms, infrastructure investments and capacity-building measures that can deliver the most significant impact. For LLDCs, this means turning broad ambitions into targeted, actionable strategies.
The benefits of such an approach are clear. Digital trade can slash transaction costs, open new markets and empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to sell beyond their borders.
SME e-commerce, in particular, has the power to bypass geographic constraints entirely, giving rural artisans, tech start-ups and micro-businesses access to customers worldwide. AI can enhance logistics, streamline customs processes, and forecast market demand, transforming what were once hard physical bottlenecks into opportunities for efficiency and growth.
Yet connectivity is more than just cables and towers. True digital inclusion involves ensuring that rural communities, women entrepreneurs and young innovators are not left behind. Affordability, accessibility and digital skills are all crucial elements in bridging the digital divide. Without policies that promote equitable access and the capabilities to use it productively, the digital economy risks reinforcing inequalities rather than reducing them.
By building a bridge across the Gulf, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, DCO is uniquely positioned to champion this agenda. With advanced infrastructure, financial capacity and a commitment to South-South co-operation, DCO member-states can serve as both partners and catalysts, connecting landlocked economies to the global digital marketplace. Through strategic investment, technology transfer, and shared expertise, these partnerships can help turn today’s digital divide into tomorrow’s corridors of opportunity.
The coming decade will decide whether landlocked nations remain constrained by geography or liberated by connectivity. For the DCO, the mission is clear: To bring together governments, industry, and innovators, mobilise resources, and build the pathways, both physical and digital, that allow every economy, no matter its location, to participate fully in the opportunities of the digital age.
With the right vision, strategic partnerships, and powerful tools like DEN, geography is no longer a limitation; it becomes a catalyst for bold transformation and lasting progress.
Hassan Nasser,
Special Envoy for Multilateral Affairs,
Digital Co-operation Organisation (DCO),
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
&uuid=(email))