The digital economy is a significant and rapidly expanding part of the global economy. However, the benefits of the digital economy are unevenly spread; there is a large digital divide. It is caused by infrastructure gaps, skills gaps, and services gaps. Bridging these gaps requires significant investment and private sector development. Promoting international investment by digital MNEs can support digital development. UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2017 first looked at the implications of the digital economy for international investment and investment policy. Since that report, the relevance of digital-economy foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased significantly. Digital technologies have continued to advance. Investment policies connected to digitalization have also moved on. And, importantly, the United Nations adopted a new Digital Compact in 2024 with the objective to help developing countries bridge the digital divide. World Investment Report 2025 aims to explore the latest trends of international investment in digital economy, analyze the drivers and determinants, assess their impact on sustainable development, as well as analyze how investment policy can support digital economy, and provide relevant policy recommendations.
