Africa’s Digital Gender Gap Threatens Inclusive Growth, ITU Warns

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Africa’s persistent gender divide in digital access and skills risks excluding millions of women from economic opportunities, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) cautioned on World Telecommunications and Information Society Day.

Despite global themes promoting “Gender Equality and Digital Transformation,” women on the continent remain disproportionately offline, with 31% using the internet compared to 43% of men in 2024—the widest gender gap globally.

Structural barriers, including high device costs, unaffordable data, and lower STEM education enrollment, exacerbate disparities. Girls’ participation in science and technology programs lags at secondary and tertiary levels, stifling the pipeline for women in ICT careers. “Women face compounded challenges—affordability, education gaps, and limited training—which weaken readiness for tech-driven jobs,” an ITU spokesperson stated.

While some countries have adopted policies to promote STEM for girls, implementation remains inconsistent, and a unified continental strategy is absent. The GSMA reports further stagnation: women in low- and middle-income countries are 14% less likely to use mobile internet, with 885 million still offline.

The ITU stressed that infrastructure expansion alone won’t bridge the gap. “Inclusive investments must address affordability, digital literacy, and gender-responsive policies,” the spokesperson emphasized, warning that without targeted action, Africa’s digital economies risk deepening inequality.

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