Africa stands at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards global connectivity. Despite ambitious targets like Nigeria’s aim for 70% broadband penetration by 2025, the continent grapples with significant internet accessibility challenges. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) highlights that a third of the world’s population remains offline, with Africa accounting for a substantial portion of this digital exclusion.
Alarmingly, less than a third of Africans enjoy broadband connectivity, with 21 of the 25 least connected countries located within the continent. This stark reality places Africa’s internet penetration at a mere 36%, lagging far behind the global average of 62.5%. Despite the rapid technological growth in countries like China and India, Africa shares this underprivileged status with some Asian nations.
However, Africa’s burgeoning tech market offers a glimmer of hope. A Google and International Finance Corporation (IFC) report indicates that by 2025, Africa’s digital economy could contribute nearly $180 billion, equating to 5.2% of the continent’s GDP. The technology ecosystem in Africa is vibrant, with venture capital deals surging by 8% in 2022, amassing a total of $6.5 billion. This investment trend demonstrates growing confidence in Africa’s promising tech sector.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Digital initiative underlines that bridging the over $3.7 trillion funding gap for the SDGs necessitates focusing on critical enablers like infrastructure and connectivity. Diverse partnerships and financing methods are crucial in scaling up digital solutions and spurring innovation. According to ITU, while 2020 witnessed a double-digit growth in internet connectivity, about 33% of the global population remained offline in 2023. Africa, despite being a latecomer to digitalisation, shows signs of being a quick adopter of technology.
From 2010 to 2021, the internet penetration rate in Africa increased from 9.6% to 33%. The proliferation of submarine cable connections over the last decade has been a key driver of this growth. By 2022, 71 cable systems connected Africa, enhancing internet penetration rates, reducing service costs, and fostering telecom market competition.
Yet, disparities in connectivity persist. SurfShark reports that individuals in lower-income countries work much longer for significantly slower internet speeds compared to those in high-income countries. This disparity is evident in fixed broadband and mobile internet, with affordability remaining a significant challenge in lower-income nations.
In Africa, the affordability of broadband connectivity continues to be a pressing issue. For instance, Africans had to spend, on average, 6.5% of their monthly income for 2GB of mobile data in 2021, a stark contrast to the costs in Asia-Pacific and Europe. This affordability gap is even more pronounced for fixed broadband.
Addressing these challenges requires substantial investment. The World Bank estimates that achieving universal and high-quality internet access in Africa would require an investment of $100 billion, with a significant portion allocated to infrastructure development, including 4G base stations, fibre optic cables, and transitioning to 5G technology.
Electricity shortages, particularly in rural and remote areas, further complicate efforts to establish reliable communication infrastructure. Countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt lead the continent in internet connectivity, but the challenge remains to extend this progress across Africa.
South Africa, with a penetration rate of 72.3%, aims for universal internet access by 2024, while Egypt’s penetration rate stood at 71.9% in early 2022. Despite these advances, the need for funding to enable network expansion and improve connectivity is pressing, especially amid a decline in Direct Foreign Investments (DFIs).
As Africa strides towards a digitally inclusive future, the continent’s journey is marked by both challenges and opportunities. The concerted efforts of governments, the private sector, and international partners hold the key to unlocking Africa’s full digital potential, ensuring that its populace is not left on the outskirts of globalization.
Source: This Day
