But Ethiopia’s experience with digital infrastructure tells a different, more sobering story that should make us all pause before our next digital transformation pitch. Ethiopia’s development indicators—GDP per capita, Human Development Index, and structural change—all showed significant improvements until 2017, then began deteriorating despite continued investments in digital infrastructure. The study directly links Ethiopia’s digital paradox to widespread conflicts that have damaged crucial infrastructure including airports, roads, health facilities, power stations, telecom lines, and factories. Digital Divides Run Deeper Than InfrastructureEven without conflict, Ethiopia’s digital foundation remains shaky. Until we learn to build digital peace alongside digital infrastructure, we’ll keep producing more digital paradoxes.