How can Africa bridge the digital divide?

The International Telecommunications Union recently released its Global Connectivity Report, revealing alarming statistics regarding the digital divide. The report highlights that one-third of the global population remains unconnected, and the income gap in terms of digital access has widened. CNBC Africa's Julius Bizimungu engaged in a conversation with Nur Sulyna Abdullah, Chief Digital Knowledge Hubs at ITU, and Thierry Geiger, the lead author of the report, to delve deeper into the issues at hand. The discussion shed light on the challenges and opportunities that exist in bridging the digital disparity. The glaring disparity between high-income and low-income countries is evident, with a stark 4-to-1 ratio in internet usage. While 80 to 90 percent of the population in wealthy nations are online, the figures drop significantly to 25 percent in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Despite these stark discrepancies, there is a positive trend emerging as all countries, including some of the poorest, have witnessed an increase in internet users, aided by the accelerated push during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors contribute to the ongoing digital divide, ranging from affordability and gender disparities to the availability of devices. The cost of broadband subscriptions and digital devices remains a substantial barrier to achieving connectivity. Despite connectivity being deemed a basic necessity in today's world, many individuals are faced with the dilemma of choosing between accessing the internet or meeting their basic needs such as food. The affordability of connectivity, especially in low and low-middle income countries, falls short of the recommended 2% target of gross national income per capita. Only a handful of countries have managed to meet this target, posing a significant obstacle to widespread internet access. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of digital connectivity as approximately 800 million additional people went online, yet it also exacerbated the cost of exclusion. People who could not afford online access found themselves further marginalized during the pandemic, underscoring the vital role that digital services play in our daily lives. The conversation also touched on the correlation between connectivity and development levels, emphasizing the potential for low-income countries to leverage mobile technologies as a means to leapfrog connectivity barriers. Singapore was cited as a prime example of effective digital development, where targeted efforts have successfully connected diverse demographics. Policymakers play a pivotal role in driving connectivity initiatives, ensuring universal access and bridging the various divides, including gender and rural-urban discrepancies. While progress has been made in narrowing the gender digital divide, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where twice as many individuals in cities have internet access compared to remote regions. Incentives and regulatory frameworks are crucial in incentivizing telcos to extend coverage to underserved areas and create a sustainable business model. The disparities in digital access underscore the urgent need for collaborative efforts between governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to bridge the digital divide and create inclusive connectivity for all.