A recently released United Nations report has noted that for over 2.7 billion people, many of them living in developing and least developed countries (LDCs), meaningful connectivity remains elusive.
The report further states that Africa is one of the regions that is the least connected, with 60 per cent of the population offline due to a lack of access, affordability and skills training.
However, the UN says Africa’s burgeoning youth population is key to transforming the region’s digital future. “There is enormous potential in empowering youth to thrive in a digital economy and leapfrogging technologies.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “With the right policies in place, digital technology can give an unprecedented boost to sustainable development, particularly for the poorest countries”.
This calls for more connectivity; and less digital fragmentation. More bridges across digital divides; and fewer barriers. Greater autonomy for ordinary people; less abuse and disinformation, he declared.
The report also revealed that globally, more men use the Internet (62 per cent compared with 57 per cent of women). In Africa, only 21 per cent of women have access to the Internet. The gender divide starts early as Internet use is four times greater for boys than girls.
Emma Gibson, the Campaign Lead, of Universal Digital Rights, for Equality Now, said the challenges in our digital society, including unequal access to digital technology and platforms, online gender-based and sexual violence, internet shutdowns, and AI and algorithmic biases, profoundly affected those with the least power and privilege.
