Azerbaijan – Rural Digital Needs Assessment

Overview & Synopsis

This report identifies the unique technological challenges and opportunities faced by various Azerbaijani communities when using digital tools and services, particularly in rural areas. The findings will support the Government of Azerbaijan in its design of the interventions necessary to create a more equitable digital landscape for all and to bridge the gap between the urban and rural areas. The assessment is comprehensive, and the threefold data collection included (a) a survey of household and village needs, (b) focus group discussions (FGD), and (c) semi-structured interviews. To comprehend the current existing digital landscape, the survey established the current digital skills and needs of village households; the FGDs included a diverse population segment that provided qualitative insight into community digital access and usage; and the interviews were held with local stakeholders (i.e., Internet service providers (ISP), small businesses, and local government officials). These three approaches helped identify the various challenges relating to rural and urban communities and the opportunities available to them, thus informing the strategies to establish Azerbaijan’s digital future more inclusively. The assessment was conducted under the Azerbaijan Rapid Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF), financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the World Bank.