Defining Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in SDG 9
Industry, innovation, and infrastructure are the three interconnected pillars constituting Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, aiming to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation to support sustainable economic growth and human well-being. In the context of SDG 9, "industry" refers to the sectors involved in broad-scale manufacturing, production, and industrial activities that generate jobs, promote economic growth, and aid poverty reduction, with a particular emphasis on inclusiveness, sustainability, and resilience. "Innovation," as outlined by SDG 9, encompasses the development and application of new technologies, scientific research, and creative methods that enhance productivity, efficiency, and environmental stewardship within industrial sectors. "Infrastructure" comprises the foundational physical and organizational systems necessary for economic and social function, such as transport networks, energy grids, water supply, sanitation systems, and digital communications, all critical for enabling industry and innovation.
The Importance of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure for Sustainable Development
The trio of industry, innovation, and infrastructure is necessary for fostering resilient and prosperous societies. Industry provides the backbone for job creation, economic diversification, and higher value-added production, leading to improved livelihoods and greater social stability. Infrastructure enables the movement of people, goods, information, and services, and is fundamental for connecting remote communities to essential markets, education, and healthcare. Innovation acts as a catalyst for technological advancement, sustainability, and increased competitiveness by creating solutions to modern challenges such as resource scarcity, climate change, and pollution. Together, these components drive economic growth, mitigate inequalities, and build societal resilience against crises, be they economic, health-related, or environmental.
Countries with the Worst Conditions for SDG 9
The worst-performing countries in terms of industry, innovation, and infrastructure according to SDG 9 indicators are overwhelmingly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. As highlighted by several international reports, South Sudan ranks the lowest, followed by the Central African Republic, Congo Republic, Madagascar, Niger, Liberia, Burundi, and Guinea. These nations are characterized by extremely poor infrastructure, minimal industrial activity, low research and development (R&D) investment, and very limited innovation ecosystems. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, only 16.9% of small-scale manufacturing businesses have access to credit lines, compared to much higher rates elsewhere, which severely hampers entrepreneurship and technology adoption.
In addition to African countries, certain European countries, such as Romania, Portugal, Croatia, and Cyprus, have also been identified as lagging in innovation and industrial indicators, although their absolute living standards differ from those in the worst-affected African nations.
Living Conditions in Countries with Poor Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Living conditions in these countries are often defined by significant deprivation and hardship. The absence of resilient infrastructure results in inadequate access to reliable electricity, safe water, sanitation, transportation, and communications—services that are essential for daily life. Approximately 800 million people in these regions live without access to clean water, and 2.5 billion lack basic sanitation, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Rural areas suffer particularly, as many residents live far from usable roads, limiting their opportunities to reach schools, hospitals, or markets. For example, in Ethiopia and Nigeria, over 60 million people each lack access to an all-season road, fundamentally restricting mobility and isolating communities. Furthermore, unreliable or absent electricity and limited internet connectivity further reinforce the digital divide, leaving children and adults unable to fully participate in education, commerce, or social engagement.
The lack of industry and meaningful job opportunities translates into high unemployment, especially among youth, while underdeveloped sectors produce few well-paying jobs needed to lift people out of poverty. Manufactures are typically limited to basic processing, with little value addition or technological sophistication, and in many cases, countries process as little as 30% of their agricultural produce compared to 98% in high-income nations. The result is a population heavily dependent on subsistence farming or low-wage informal work, with limited prospects for upward mobility.
These systemic deficiencies lead to a cycle of poverty, food insecurity, and social instability, while poor transport, water, and energy infrastructure increase vulnerability to environmental and economic shocks.
Other Burning Issues Faced by These Countries
Beyond the direct consequences of poor industry, innovation, and infrastructure, these countries confront a litany of intersecting crises that amplify their vulnerabilities. These include:
Extreme and widespread poverty: These nations have some of the world’s highest poverty rates, with large segments of the population living on less than $1.90 a day.
Food insecurity: Agricultural productivity is often low, food systems are fragile, and climate change further threatens food supply.
Health crises: Poor infrastructure compromises access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation, contributing to high rates of disease and child mortality.
Political instability and conflict: Many of these countries are affected by civil unrest, armed conflict, or weak governance, impeding long-term development and infrastructure investment.
Education deficits: Poor infrastructure and lack of innovation hinder education delivery, digital inclusion, and skills development, perpetuating cycles of illiteracy and limited economic opportunity.
Rapid population growth and urbanization: These put additional pressure on already strained infrastructure and social services.
High vulnerability to climate change and environmental hazards: Inadequate infrastructure and weak governance increase the impact of climate-related disasters, floods, droughts, and resource depletion.
Gender and social inequality: Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted due to less access to resources, education, and economic opportunities.
United Nations Institutions Active in Supporting SDG 9 in These Countries
A broad coalition of UN institutions is engaged in supporting SDG 9 in countries with the most pronounced deficits in industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Notably:
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): UNIDO is the primary agency dedicated to advancing sustainable industrial development, providing policy guidance, technical cooperation, capacity building, and helping local industries increase value addition and adopt clean technologies. Its projects support the development of local manufacturing, foster economic diversification, and promote green industry practices, including successful partnerships in countries like Rwanda for renewable energy-based industrial uses.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): UNDP assists countries in building capacity, shaping inclusive economic and industrial policies, and mobilizing resources for resilient infrastructure and innovation. Through collaborative projects and technical support, UNDP works to create enabling environments for investment and innovation.
UN Environment Programme (UNEP): UNEP leads and supports the environmental sustainability of industrialization and infrastructure, focusing on integrating nature-positive approaches and promoting resource efficiency through global partnerships and technical assistance.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU): ITU helps build digital infrastructure, expand internet and telecom access, especially in rural and remote areas, thus reducing the digital divide and supporting innovation ecosystems.
UNICEF and UN Women: These agencies focus on the intersection of social inclusion, gender equality, and economic participation, working to ensure equitable access to education, digital inclusion, and workforce opportunities for women and children.
Other specialized agencies: These include the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and regional UN Economic Commissions, which contribute expertise and funding for infrastructure, capacity building, and SME support.
How UN Institutions Support SDG 9 Targets
UN institutions implement multi-faceted strategies tailored to country-specific contexts to address SDG 9 targets. Their support includes:
Policy guidance and technical assistance: Advising governments on creating frameworks to promote sustainable industrialization, innovation, and infrastructure investment.
Capacity building and training: Strengthening local human capital through vocational training, entrepreneur support, innovation hubs, and educational programming, often with a focus on youth and marginalized groups.
Infrastructure development: Facilitating the construction and upgrade of sustainable energy, water, transport, and digital networks with resilience, inclusiveness, and climate adaptation in mind.
Promoting access to finance: Supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs’ access to affordable credit and financial services, vital for business development and technology adoption.
Supporting R&D and technology transfer: Promoting scientific research, technology adaptation, and local innovation, with special programs for least developed countries.
Facilitating resource mobilization: Bringing together public, private, and international partners to co-finance large-scale infrastructure projects and sustainable industrialization initiatives.
Monitoring and reporting: Providing data collection, analysis, and progress tracking tools to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and guide further policy.
These combined actions by UN institutions contribute to building more resilient societies by addressing not only the infrastructural, industrial, and innovation deficits but also creating enabling environments that tackle poverty, inequality, and climate risks and promote inclusive economic growth.
In summary, robust industry, innovation, and infrastructure are the foundations for a country’s sustainable development, resilience, and well-being. Severe deficits in these areas, as seen in many sub-Saharan African countries and other marginalized regions, result in poor living conditions, economic stagnation, and vulnerability to a host of social, political, and environmental crises. UN institutions are actively working in these countries, providing technical assistance, policy support, funding, and capacity building to help overcome these challenges and advance the ambitions of SDG 9.
