We Have 5 Years. The Math Isn't Mathing.
In 2015, the world made a promise: end extreme poverty by 2030.
We're now 5 years out, and here's where we stand:
📊 The Reality Check
- 808 million people still live in extreme poverty (1 in 10 globally)
- At current pace, 8.9% will still be in poverty by 2030
- Only 1 in 5 countries will hit their poverty reduction targets
- 3.8 billion people have zero social protection coverage
- We need $1.4 trillion annually just for basic social security in developing nations
Translation: We're failing. Badly.
Governments Can't Do This Alone
I've spent the last year building healthcare and disability services technology for government agencies. Here's what I've learned:
The infrastructure exists. Medicaid. SNAP. Housing assistance. Disability services. Transportation programs.
The problem? The systems are drowning in paperwork, inefficiency, and outdated technology. Millions of people who qualify for help can't access it because the machinery is broken.
Every dollar spent on administrative overhead is a dollar not reaching someone in need.
This is Where Entrepreneurs Come In
We need to stop thinking of poverty as a "charity problem" and start treating it like the systems engineering challenge it actually is.
What if we applied the same innovation we use for:
- Food delivery apps → to SNAP benefit access
- Ride-sharing → to medical transportation for low-income patients
- CRM software → to case management for social workers
- E-commerce checkout → to benefits enrollment
The technology exists. The know-how exists. What's missing is the collective will to deploy it at scale.
A Call to Action for Tech Entrepreneurs
If you're building:
- Government tech → Focus on services for vulnerable populations
- Healthcare software → Consider Medicaid, community health, accessibility
- Fintech → Think financial inclusion, microloans, benefits delivery
- EdTech → Target workforce development for low-income communities
- Logistics/Transportation → Solve access gaps for people without cars
- Data/AI → Help agencies identify and serve eligible populations
Partner with government agencies. Bid on contracts that matter. Build solutions that scale.
This isn't about charity. It's about building sustainable businesses that solve the world's most pressing problems. The market is massive—governments spend trillions on social services annually.
The Uncomfortable Truth
We're not going to hit the 2030 goal. The UN data makes that clear.
But we can determine whether we miss it by a little or a lot.
Five years is enough time to:
- Cut poverty by another 100-200 million people
- Extend social protection to a billion more
- Build systems that outlast the 2030 deadline
- Create sustainable businesses that keep innovating
Or we can watch the clock run out and say "we tried."
What I'm Doing
At INFINITYOPS, we're building software for disability services and medical transportation—two areas where technology can directly reduce barriers for vulnerable populations.
Our platforms serve Medicaid beneficiaries, people with disabilities, and low-income communities who depend on public services to survive.
It's not glamorous. It won't make headlines. But it matters.
And we can't do it alone. No one can.
So Here's My Ask
If you're a tech entrepreneur: What problem could you solve that reduces poverty? Even 1%?
If you're in government procurement: How can you make it easier for innovative companies to serve vulnerable populations?
If you're an investor: What if your next portfolio company prioritized impact alongside returns?
If you're a developer/designer/product person: Which company are you working for, and does it matter?
We have 1,826 days until January 1, 2030.
Let's not waste them.
About the Author:
Ibrahim Elhag is the Founder of INFINITYOPS LLC, building technology that breaks down barriers to essential services. INFINITYOPS platforms serve vulnerable populations accessing disability services, healthcare, and transportation through government programs.
Connect: ibrahim@infinityops.co | Schedule a Conversation
Learn More:
- UN Sustainable Development Goal #1: No Poverty
- How INFINITYOPS Contributes to SDG #1
- Our Mission: Breaking Down Barriers
Data sources: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Bank Global Monitoring Report 2024