Closing the digital divide, empowering the future: Dhiraagu’s role in building an inclusive Digital Raajje

As the world marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, the spotlight falls on the pressing challenge to bridge the digital divide, particularly for women and girls.

Of the 2.6 billion people still offline globally, the majority are female, and many faces persistent barriers in access, affordability, and digital literacy. Closing this divide is no longer a choice, it is a necessity for equitable economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

In Maldives, Dhiraagu has taken significant steps to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age. As the country’s leading digital service provider, Dhiraagu has built an inclusive network that aligns with this year’s WTISD theme: advancing digital gender equality.

A defining milestone is Dhiraagu’s delivery of 100 percent fibre broadband coverage across all inhabited islands, a rare achievement even by international standards. This ensures women and girls across the counctry, regardless of geography, can access high-speed, reliable internet to learn, create and grow.

Dhiraagu’s nationwide mobile network coverage reaches even the most remote parts of Maldives, enabling access to e-learning, telemedicine, digital finance and entrepreneurial tools which are all vital in bridging opportunity gaps and supporting independence.

Dhiraagu’s role in next-generation technology has also gained global recognition.

In 2024, it was named the Fastest 5G Network in the Maldives by Ookla, underlining its drive to deliver world-class digital experiences. The company’s 5G service unlocks potential in areas such as remote work, virtual education, smart agriculture and women-led enterprises, placing the power of digital transformation within reach.

Dhiraagu is also investing in future-ready infrastructure through its participation in the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system. The project is expected to boost the resilience of Maldives’ connectivity, strengthen global digital links and support the country’s ambitions as a digitally inclusive economy.

As WTISD 2025 coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the message is clear: technology must serve as a tool for equality.

By connecting every island and empowering every voice, Dhiraagu remains steadfast in building a smarter, fairer and more inclusive Digital Raajje where opportunity exists for all.