Colombia‘s Digital Divide Hinders MSME Competitiveness,Cybersecurity Concerns Rise
BOGOTร – A meaningful โฃdigital gapโ continues to impede the growth of Colombianโค micro,small,and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs),with roughly 40% of rural households still lacking internet access compared to over 70% coverageโ in urban areas. This disparity is slowingโ strategic decision-making and impacting competitiveness against larger companies and international players, according to a recent Movistar โคCompanies study.
The โstudy revealed that only 54% of Colombian MSMEs utilize digital services for data analytics, contributing to slower decision cycles. though, connectivity is improving in key sectors. Industry leads in โdigital solution adoption, with 86% using collaboration tools and โ79% planning to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Otherโ sectors showing progressโ include professional services (65% โฃwith wi-Fi,56% with omnichannel plans),tradeโ (55% implementing collaborationโ solutions,49% strengtheningโ digitalโ sales),finance and insurance (50% using digital solutions,64%โฃ planning equipment โขupgrades),and transportation and logistics (44% with Wi-Fi,53% with digital marketing plans).
Despite advancements, cybersecurity remains a โmajor concern. Theโฃ survey found that 87% of MSMEs recognize the urgent need to bolster their digital security, yet only 35% โคfeel adequately protected by current tools. Alarmingly, โฃ28% reported experiencing at least โone โขcyberattack in theโ last year.
Movistar Companies’ spokesperson, Hernรกndez, emphasized the need for collaborative action toโค bridgeโค the gap. “Theโข Government must โฃaccelerate investment in โขdigital infrastructure and generate โฃincentives for companies that bring connectivity to remote areas,” he stated.
Closing the digital โdivide is seen as crucial for โคenabling MSMEs to participate in growth opportunities, financial inclusion, and global markets, and for fostering innovationโข and โคdigital transformation โขacross โColombia.