The GSM Association GSMA the advocacy and lobbying organisation for the mobile communications industry, estimates that around 85 of Sub-Saharan Africa's population lives within reach of a 3G or 4G mobile broadband network. Yet only about 25 of people in the region are online, highlighting a digital divide that threatens to exclude millions as the rest of the world races ahead with next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G and satellite connectivity.
The vast majority of Africans remain unconnected due to factors such as unaffordable smartphones, high data costs, inadequate access to affordable electricity, limited locally relevant content and services and persistent digital literacy gaps - particularly among rural and marginalised groups. What concrete steps must Africa take?
GSMA calls for lowering the cost of accessAngela Wamola, head of Africa at GSMA, tells African Business that the first step in closing Africa's digital divide is getting smartphones into more hands. Millions across the continent still rely on basic feature phones. Smartphones remain prohibitively expensive for many.
