Africa's aspiration for universal connectivity cannot be realised without addressing the persistent imbalance in digital access. Reliable broadband must not remain the preserve of the 'privileged few' in capital cities and commercial hubs. It must be regarded as a foundational element of inclusive development, integrated into the economic, educational, and social frameworks that shape the continents future.
Last-mile connectivity-the final segment of infrastructure that delivers internet access to end users-remains the most stubborn and technically complex obstacle in this pursuit. The challenge is particularly acute in rural and underserved areas, where geography, infrastructure deficits, and economic constraints combine to widen the digital divide. Despite improvements in national and regional backbone systems, the absence of viable last-mile solutions continues to delay equitable access, especially in low-density and geographically isolated regions.
Today, nearly one in four rural Africans has no realistic possibility of connecting to the internet due to a complete absence of broadband infrastructure ITU . More than half the population in 33 of 46 African countries lives in rural areas, with that figure rising to over 60 percent in 23 countries. These communities are persistently excluded from mainstream connectivity rollouts.
The factors driving these numbers are not merely statistical but they reflect deep-rooted infrastructure and design challenges that continue to stall last-mile progress.
