South Africa Pushes for Universal Internet Access Amid Policy Challenges

South Africa Pushes for Universal Internet Access Amid Policy Challenges. Image for illustration purposes only, generated with AI.

Polokwane, Limpopo – South Africa is intensifying efforts to bridge the digital divide by connecting 23 million citizens who currently lack internet access, Communication and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi announced at the G20 member states meeting in Polokwane.

Malatsi emphasized the critical need for nationwide connectivity, warning that failure to do so risks deepening social inequalities. However, he acknowledged that policy misalignment and restrictive regulations have hindered progress.

Policy Barriers and New Strategies

The minister cited outdated policies, such as taxes on smart devices, as major obstacles. “Smart devices carry an additional tax because they are considered luxury goods, but today, they are essential for work, education, and business,” Malatsi said.

To address these challenges, the department is developing a framework to identify and resolve connectivity issues. Additionally, South Africa is working on an AI language tool to support all 11 official languages, ensuring broader digital inclusion. “Most AI tools are in dominant languages like English or Spanish, but we must embrace our linguistic diversity,” Malatsi stated.

G20 Collaboration and Security Preparations

The Polokwane meeting served as a buildup to the G20 summit in November, with delegates discussing digital infrastructure investments. A Brazilian delegate praised South Africa’s efforts but stressed the need for greater funding, while an Indian representative highlighted Africa’s potential for rapid digital growth compared to India’s population size.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Communications and Digital Technologies assured robust security measures for the summit, including vetting all delegates and collaborating with provincial police.

As South Africa advances its digital transformation strategy, international partnerships and policy reforms will be key to achieving universal connectivity.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}