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…Barriers, opportunities, and the road ahead
Lydia Olaniyi, a 29-year-old who runs a small hair salon in Ketu-Alapere, Lagos State, sat quietly beside her phone, longing for and awaiting her first client in two days. Despite her reputation as one of the best hair stylists in the neighbourhood, her customer base has steadily declined, not because her skills have diminished but because she is offline.
“I’ve heard of Instagram and WhatsApp Business,” she told THISDAY. “But I don’t know how to use them. Data is too expensive to even try.”
Lydia’s story is far from unique. Across Africa, the digital divide is a chasm, especially for women. According to the latest Facts and Figures 2024 report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 34% of African women use mobile internet, compared to 46% of men. That 12-percentage point difference represents millions of women excluded from digital opportunities due to barriers like affordability, digital literacy, and restrictive social norms.
Yet amid these gaps, signs of hope and innovation are emerging. One such initiative is Wow Braids, founded by Kemi Tijani, which empowers women by connecting informal hair braiders with clients.
Wow Braids goes beyond being a premium handmade wig brand; it celebrates black women’s beauty and strength while supporting rural Nigerian women by creating jobs and improving their quality of life through wig-making.
But even as individual solutions shine, the broader picture remains complex. The promise of Africa’s digital future is real, but so is the paradox of its present. Unless the continent confronts its systemic challenges, millions like Lydia will remain digitally and economically disconnected.
The 2024 edition of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Facts and Figures Report offers a sobering yet insightful look into the state of global digital connectivity. Nowhere is the digital divide more stark than in Africa, where access to the internet and other digital technologies remains uneven, underdeveloped, and in many places, wholly inaccessible.
Urban vs. rural: A tale of two Africa
Africa’s digital divide is not just a matter of access versus non-access but also a story of vast inequalities between urban and rural areas. As the digital revolution unfolds, the disparity in internet penetration between cities and rural regions has become one of the continent’s most glaring challenges.
Urban areas, especially major economic hubs like Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town, have embraced the benefits of the digital age with relative ease. In contrast, rural regions face a range of obstacles that impede their ability to connect to the internet, let alone access the wealth of opportunities that come with it.
According to the ITU report, while 57% of urban Africans have internet access, only 23% of rural Africans are similarly connected. This gap is among the widest globally, highlighting the geographical and socio-economic barriers that continue to define Africa’s digital landscape.
Such disparities not only hinder individual opportunities but also impede broader socio-economic development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion.
Device ownership vs. effective usage
The rate of device ownership has seen considerable growth in Africa, particularly with mobile phones. According to the ITU Facts and Figures 2024 report, mobile phone penetration in Africa has reached approximately 50%, with smartphones becoming increasingly accessible even in remote areas.
This surge in ownership is largely driven by the affordability of entry-level devices, which has enabled millions of people to own smartphones or feature phones. However, while device ownership is on the rise, the challenge lies in the effective use of these devices.
Many Africans, particularly in rural areas, possess mobile phones but often lack the necessary skills, infrastructure, and access to high-speed internet to leverage the potential of these devices fully.
Moreover, the issue of affordability goes beyond the initial cost of the device. The high cost of data, coupled with slow internet speeds and unreliable networks, further impedes effective usage. The ITU reports that mobile data in many African countries can cost up to 20% of a person’s monthly income, making it unaffordable for many.
While 66% of Africans own mobile phones, only 38% use the internet. This 28-percentage point gap highlights challenges beyond mere ownership; data costs, digital literacy, and device quality play significant roles. Many possess basic phones incapable of supporting modern web content, limiting their digital engagement.
Even for those who can afford the devices and data, the lack of consistent and fast internet connections means that many Africans cannot fully utilise the capabilities of their devices.
To bridge this divide, it is essential to focus not only on increasing device ownership but also on improving digital literacy, internet infrastructure, and the affordability of data, thus enabling more people to engage with the digital world effectively.
Affordability: The cost barrier
Affordability remains one of the steepest hurdles on Africa’s path to digital inclusion. In many countries across the continent, the cost of a basic broadband subscription can eat up nearly a third of an individual’s monthly income.
When families must choose between internet access and essential needs like food or medication, connectivity often loses out. Even mobile data, once hailed as a more affordable gateway, can account for 6six to 19% of monthly earnings in low-income nations, far higher than the 0.5% seen in wealthier economies. These stark cost differentials mean millions are effectively priced out of the digital world before they even log on.
This financial strain has profound ripple effects on education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Students without reliable internet struggle to complete coursework. Small businesses miss out on e-commerce and digital marketing channels. Healthcare workers in remote clinics cannot tap into telemedicine resources.
Reducing these costs is more than slashing data prices; it requires a holistic approach that addresses taxation on ICT services, subsidizes infrastructure deployment, and fosters competitive markets. Only by making connectivity truly affordable can Africa unlock the full promise of the internet for every citizen.
This financial strain deters many from accessing the internet, emphasising the need for policies that reduce costs and promote equitable access.
Youth and digital opportunity: Bridging the divide through 5G and beyond
The rapid growth of the digital landscape is poised to shape the future of global youth, particularly in Africa, where the promise of connectivity and the pursuit of economic opportunities through technology intersect. However, the uneven deployment of advanced technologies like 5G presents both opportunities and challenges for young people, depending on their region and socio-economic context.
As of 2024, more than half of the world’s population now has access to 5G, marking a significant leap since the commercial deployment of the technology in 2019. Currently, 51% of people across the globe are covered by 5G networks, but the distribution of this coverage is far from equitable. High-income countries dominate the 5G space, with 84% of their populations connected to the next-generation network. In stark contrast, only 4% of people in low-income countries are benefiting from 5G, reflecting a significant digital divide.
This disparity has profound implications for youth in these regions, as access to high-speed internet, real-time communication, and the ability to engage in digital entrepreneurship becomes increasingly reliant on 5G technology.
In high-income countries, the proliferation of 5G enables young people to leverage cutting-edge digital platforms for education, business, and social engagement. However, for their counterparts in low-income nations, this technology remains a distant prospect, exacerbating the gap in access to digital opportunities.
Investments in infrastructure, especially in underserved regions, are essential to ensure equitable access and foster economic growth.
Internet penetration: Progress amidst disparities
Globally, internet usage has reached 68%, yet Africa remains at 38%, highlighting a significant gap. In high-income countries, 93% of the population is online, contrasting sharply with Africa’s figures. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) within Africa face worse, with only 35% and 39% internet penetration, respectively.
This disparity shows the correlation between economic development and digital access. While some African nations like Kenya and Nigeria have made strides, many others remain digitally isolated, hindered by infrastructural and economic challenges.
Subscriptions and internet traffic
Mobile-cellular subscriptions in Africa stand at 98 per 100 inhabitants, yet fixed broadband subscriptions are around two to three per 100. Moreover, the average mobile data usage is 3.1 GB per month, which is significantly lower than the global average of 13.9 GB/month. These figures reflect affordability issues and limited content relevance, indicating areas for targeted interventions.
Policy directions and strategic priorities
To bridge the digital divide, Africa must prioritise expanding infrastructure by investing in rural connectivity through public-private partnerships. This effort will ensure that underserved regions gain access to reliable and affordable internet services.
Additionally, it is crucial to enhance affordability by implementing policies aimed at reducing both data costs and the prices of devices, making digital access more attainable for all.
Promoting digital literacy is another key strategy, with a focus on integrating digital skills into education systems to equip the next generation with the necessary tools to thrive in a digital world. Lastly, addressing gender disparities is essential, and this can be achieved by developing targeted programs that encourage and support the participation of women and girls in the digital economy.
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