Access to digital technology remains a major challenge in Africa: New Report
The majority of African citizens especially people with disabilities and underserved communities still lack access to digital technology, a new report highlights the state of digital rights and inclusion of the continent reveals.
The 2022 Digital Rights and Inclusion Report called Londa was published by the Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African organization that connects underserved young Africans to digital opportunities and ensures the protection of their rights.
According to the report, access to digital opportunities for girls and women including Information Communication Technology (ICT) education needs improvement. The report points out that while governments continue to increase efforts to bridge the digital divide and build digital economies, men continue to outperform women on various indices, from the adoption and use of tools to ICT to employment opportunities.
“Despite progress in bridging this divide, men continue to outperform women in various indices, from the adoption and use of ICT tools to employment opportunities. The introduction of prohibited taxes and taxation, which emerged as a common theme during the period under review, further hampered universal access, as seen in Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda, among others,” the report said.
Speaking after the launch of Londa, the author of the Kenyan report, Ms. Jackie Okello that Kenya has no tangible law that focuses on internet access. However, he said that the country has a broadband strategy that sets out the government’s plans on how to facilitate broadband access in areas that are not covered by the Internet.
The report also decried the introduction of prohibitive taxes and levies, which emerged as a common theme during the period under review, which further impeded overall access as seen in Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda.
Regarding the Universal Service Fund (USF), the report mentions that the fund is available in 22 of the 24 countries reported in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tunisia, Uganda, Togo, The Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Benin, South Sudan, Namibia, and Botswana. However, information on the amount of funds collected, transparency, and impact varies among the 22 countries.
The Londa report also discusses issues surrounding data privacy and governance and the lack of accountability and oversight mechanisms for digital identity systems. Notably, Nigeria has taken steps towards a better data protection framework by releasing a draft Data Protection Bill, improving the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.
In contrast, privacy concerns surround the newly introduced Ghana card and e-levy bill, just like their continental counterparts. Of the 24 countries reported, only 17 have data protection laws, and the rest have data protection bills with varying degrees of progress towards implementation.
While the Central African Republic has no specific data legislation and relies on the provisions of existing bills, South Sudan has no data law or framework. In the period under review, Ghana was reported by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) as the most repressive country in West Africa in the first quarter of 2022, with 11 violations of press freedom recorded, followed by Nigeria with five violations; a part of development for Ghana with a reasonably ideal Londa 2021 report.
During the period under review, the Nigerian government also blocked online content and social media platforms ordering media groups to stop using Twitter and threatened legal action against Nigerians who accessed the service through circumvention methods.
Similarly, Angola has challenges with Internet freedom because Internet access remains expensive. Network challenges make it difficult for users to access the Internet without interruptions, especially in rural areas – a common constraint across the continent.
On the other hand, Botswana has taken a pro-Internet freedom stance with no credible reports of Internet disruptions, government interference, or the use of digital technologies for political repression or social control, while Malawi decriminalized sedition and related offenses.
Londa’s recommendations encompass a variety of stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, governments, media, and academia. By implementing these recommendations and working together, stakeholders can build a strong and sustainable digital environment in Africa where everyone can exercise their rights online.
The report also noted that as emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain traction, awareness, and adoption are increasing on the continent. “Recent advances with AI tools show not only the potential that technology has to accelerate socio-economic development but also to exacerbate existing inequalities.”
This, the report added, highlights the need for AI frameworks that respect the rights of all sectors. “For a continent where frameworks can be an afterthought and legislation is often a knee-jerk reaction, playing catchup must stop. Frameworks and strategies must be well-intentioned, adequate to protect human rights, accommodate these changes in a way, and be clearly implemented,” it added.
This forum comes amid suggestions that internet bills continue to be high and out of reach for many African households, with many countries not considered a priority.
Kenya for example last year ranked number 106 out of 117 countries when it comes to internet speed, quality, and growth, according to the World Digital Quality of life index 2022 report.
Compared to South Africa, mobile internet in Kenya is 2 times slower while broadband is 3 times slower.
Now experts feel the shift is essential.
“It is difficult and very expensive to fly the infrastructure. We put the conditions of licensing and investment from the government. There is some political will. This includes the Universal Service Fund. We also have one of the freest media on the continent,” said Grace Githaiga, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Convener, KICTANet.
GAROWE ONLINE