According to the World Bank, only 37% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has access to the internet, with access rates even lower in rural areas. In recent years, technology has become an essential aspect of our daily lives. From smartphones to social media platforms and e-commerce websites, technology has changed the way we communicate, socialize, and do business. However, access to technology and digital resources is not equitable across the globe, and many people, especially in rural and underserved communities in Africa, are left behind. Digital inclusion is a concept that seeks to bridge this digital divide by ensuring that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to the digital tools and resources they need to participate fully in the digital economy.
Digital inclusion is built on four fundamental pillars: connectivity, devices, digital skills, and content. Let us explore each of these pillars in detail.
Connectivity refers to the ability to access the internet and digital resources. Access to affordable and reliable internet is critical for digital inclusion, as it enables individuals and communities to participate in online activities such as education, e-commerce, and social media. In Africa, many rural and underserved communities lack access to the internet, which limits their ability to participate in the digital economy. A report by the African Development Bank found that women in rural areas in Africa are disproportionately affected by the digital divide, with only 4% of rural women having access to the internet. Connectivity is, therefore, a critical pillar of digital inclusion.
In Africa, many people lack access to devices that allow them to access the internet. According to the World Bank, only 24% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa had access to the internet in 2019. The cost of devices, such as smartphones and laptops, is a major barrier to digital inclusion. For example, in Kenya, the average cost of a smartphone is equivalent to two months’ income for an average worker.
Providing affordable devices can help bridge the digital divide in Africa. Tech Herfrica would be working to make devices more affordable by advocating for policies that reduce taxes and tariffs on devices and collaborating with device manufacturers.
Many people in Africa lack the digital skills required to participate fully in the digital economy. According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union, only 24% of Africans have basic digital skills. This lack of digital skills can limit access to job opportunities and other benefits of the digital economy.
Digital skills training is critical for digital inclusion in Africa and Tech Herfrica is working to provide digital skills training to women and young people in Africa. In some countries, such as Rwanda, digital skills training is integrated into the education system, with the government providing laptops to students and teachers.
Access to relevant and localized content is critical for digital inclusion in Africa. In many cases, content that is available online may not be relevant or useful to people in Africa. According to the Web Foundation, only 1% of websites are in African languages, which can limit access to information for many people.
To address this, there are initiatives to create more localized content. There are also initiatives to create more localized digital content, such as apps and websites that provide information on healthcare, agriculture, and other topics relevant to people in Africa.
There are several ways to facilitate digital inclusion, and these include:
Infrastructure development involves building the necessary infrastructure, such as telecommunications networks, to enable people to access the internet. In Africa, many rural and underserved communities lack basic infrastructure, which limits their ability to access the internet. Infrastructure development is, therefore, a critical aspect of digital inclusion.
Public-private partnerships involve collaboration between governments and private organizations to provide digital resources and infrastructure to underserved communities. Public-private partnerships have been successful in advancing digital inclusion in several African countries.
Digital skills training involves providing training and resources to help people develop the digital skills they need to participate fully in the digital economy. Digital skills training can take various forms, such as online courses, in-person training, and community-based programs.
Localized content development involves creating digital resources and content that are relevant and accessible to local communities. Localized content development is critical for digital inclusion, as it enables people to access the information and resources they need to participate fully in the digital economy.
Tech Herfrica is a non-profit organization that seeks to advance the growth of female-led businesses in rural and underserved communities in Africa by leveraging technology. One of Tech Herfrica’s key projects is the provision of an e-commerce platform to connect these women to domestic and international buyers. The platform provides these women with access to a broader market, which can help them grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods. By leveraging technology, Tech Herfrica is enabling these women to participate fully in the digital economy, which is critical for their economic empowerment.
Tech Herfrica is also advancing digital inclusion in Africa through its digital skills training programs. These programs provide women with the digital skills they need to participate fully in the digital economy. The organization has partnered with local communities to provide in-person training and community-based programs, which have been successful in advancing digital inclusion. We provide the relevant technology enablers for women in rural and underserved communities to grow and scale their businesses. We also contribute to, and influence the creation of evidence-based policies that promote equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
Another way Tech Herfrica is advancing digital inclusion is through localized content development. The organization is collaborating with the Africa Leadership Foundation to create digital resources and content that are relevant and accessible to local communities. By creating localized content, Tech Herfrica is ensuring that people in these communities can access the information and resources they need to participate fully in the digital economy.
Finally, Tech Herfrica is advancing digital inclusion in Africa through public-private partnerships. The organization has partnered with governments and private organizations to provide digital resources and infrastructure to underserved communities. Through these partnerships, Tech Herfrica is working to bridge the digital divide and ensure that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to the digital tools and resources they need to participate fully in the digital economy.
Digital inclusion is critical for economic empowerment and social inclusion in Africa. Access to digital tools and resources can help bridge the digital divide and enable people in rural and underserved communities to participate fully in the digital economy. Tech Herfrica is a great example of how organizations can leverage technology to advance digital inclusion in Africa. Through its e-commerce platform, digital skills training programs, localized content development, and public-private partnerships, Tech Herfrica is empowering women in rural and underserved communities and advancing digital inclusion in Africa. It is essential to continue advancing digital inclusion in Africa to ensure that everyone has access to the digital tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital economy.