Digital divide essentially looks at the comparative gap between access to and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among human populations in developing and developed countries (international digital divide) and in fact within developing countries themselves (intra-national digital divide). Current literature argues that access to ICT is a panacea for development, though arguably true, but has often been short-sighted in considering the underlying elementary issues that have militated against closing the digital gap particularly in SSA nations where fundamental socio-economic and political problems have continued to hamper against closing the digital gap. Most people in SSA are faced with the greater challenges of perennial poverty, socio-political instability, illiteracy and disease.
There is arguably a strong correlation between access to and use of information and national and international development. Some of the areas of development that closure of digital divide could help improve are the areas of international commerce, education, including e-education; health, including e-health; national and international criminal justice and strengthening of democratic institutions. In spite of these potential benefits, when SSA is compared to other parts of the world in terms of access to and use of ICT, one would conclude that SSA is still in its infancy though catching up progressively in the face of its social-political and economic realities. Delving further into the African region, United Nation’s Report on ICT concludes that of the estimated 816 million people in Africa in 2001, approximately 1 in 4 have radio (205 million); 1 in 13 have TV (62 million); 1 in 13 have mobile phone (24million); 1 in 40 have a fixed line (20 million); 1 in 130 have a PC (5.9 million); 1 in 160 use the Internet (5million) and 1 in 400 have pay –TV (2 million). These are only estimates and the data has long been questioned by experts who argue that collation of such extensive data is very difficult owing to statistical complexities in information gathering around Africa.
It is imperative, therefore, to look at some of the underlying problems militating against access to and use of ICT in SSA. These problems are multi-factorial but could include cost often brought about by poverty, technology illiteracy or lack of foreign language skills; legacy of traditional beliefs; lack of governmental support; generational gap and general disinterest in change. Amongst all, poverty, lack of governmental support and education is of greatest concern here. Poverty is a multifactorial phenomenon that undoubtedly manifests in denigration of humanity through lack of access to basic humanistic necessities, leading to despair and stunted socio-political and economic development. The ravages of poverty in SSA has hindered sustainable democracy and democratic reforms; safety and security; propelled judicial irregularities and inequities in the distribution of resources. Generally, poverty is more pervasive in rural areas than city centres prompting mass migration to the cities where access to and use of ICT is generally enhanced by better infrastructure and more educated population.
A recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report observed that it is not an exaggeration to claim that an unrepresentative political system or lack of democracy is at the root of poverty in Nigeria. Nigeria’s poverty has been inextricably linked to mismanagement of its macro-economic policy, and to inadequate funding, poor quality infrastructural facilities, neglect of social service provision to the population, and poor management leading to increasing corruption at all levels of both in governmental and non-governmental enterprises. ICT access and use in SSA is further complicated by illiteracy, including illiteracy in the use of modern technology that has become a precursor to social divide. In Nigeria as in many SSA nations, illiteracy remains an obstacle to access and use of ICT. It is estimated that numeracy rate in Nigeria is at 57% and even worse in other SSA nations. However, there is optimism in the renewed effort of new crop of leaders who have instituted educational revolution policies targeted at literacy and numeracy. Nigeria, with its Universal Basic Education policy is expected to have more educated population in the next decade than it has ever had in its 47 years of independence.
Poverty alleviation is the most pressing economic concern, and poverty alleviation would bring about the need for education, including ICT education that would be revolutionised by providing ICT training to teachers at all levels that could ultimately be disseminated to students at a younger age. Alleviation of poverty and improvement in education require private and public sector partnership. What has happened to many SSA nations is that the gains made following independence have over the last half century been stunted by growth of dictatorships, wars and conflicts, emergence of diseases; increasing corruption and crime and the emergence of political tyrants into leadership positions that lack democratic legitimacy. SSA to bridge the digital divide needs genuine democratic institutions where national resources and international donations are effectively used to develop infrastructure that would increase access to and use of ICT, and this could only be achieved through accountable and transparent leadership and by allowing the people to “elect” their leaders.
Nigeria is a case in point where increasing private sector participation and improved ICT awareness have led to one of the highest per capita access and use of ICT in Africa. Today, more than 70% of the population has access and uses mobile phone, and the growth of Internet Cafes in major metropolitan cities is phenomenal. Twenty years ago it could have only been imagined that someone will sit in a suburban Internet café in Lagos and chat to someone in far away Australia. These are the dividends of private sector participation and a more liberalised economy that encourages foreign investment in ICT.
In spite of the limitations, progress is being made in the area of access to the Internet which is the common yardstick used in measuring the extent of digital divide intra-nationally and internationally. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) not long ago reported on the progress made by a coastal town of Knysna in South Africa in bridging the digital divide, and as such considered the largest Wi-fi enabled area on the entire African continent. Working in conjunction with the town’s local authorities, Internet provider UniNet set up a system of base stations which spread Wi-fi around the town. Computers with Wi-fi connections can be expensive, and not everybody in the poorer areas of Knysna could afford a wireless enabled device, so the municipal authorities installed Wi-fi enabled computers in strategic places such as public libraries where the whole community, no matter your age or economic or social disposition could use the system for 45minutes everyday without a fee. The network currently covers 90% of the town earning it the title of the most connected town in Africa. Knysna today has become part of the global village through this infrastructural development and initiative that has spread to primary and secondary schools. This is exemplary of what could be achieved in a genuine private/public sector partnership and could be used as a model for other municipalities/states and countries of SSA. This is a practical way of closing the digital divide as students can now research home work and school projects, download filtered and monitored educational contents and interact with their peers across the world. For instance, Taking-it-global as an organisation is able to reach a global audience and engage wider participation in its global objectives through increased use of digital technology.
In conclusion, one could appreciate the challenges facing SSA as the challenge of survival which is precipitated by poverty and poor leadership. There is no doubt that without addressing the fundamental issues of poverty alleviation and education, SSA nations would continue to be digitally isolated, particularly rural, regional and remote areas. For some countries, it is a conflict of deciding whether to provide its people with clean water or provide Internet to schools and this is where international donor agencies could be of help. But for others, there is no excuse why both cannot be pursued and achieved simultaneously if leaders are “elected”, transparent and accountable with a vision of a more informed and technologically viable posterity. It is a common propaganda in some SSA that the pursuit of Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) is on track while taking no practical steps to reach the MDG for access to technology which should be made a policy priority. There is no doubt that bridging the digital divide in SSA will position the nations in becoming more globally integrated in the areas of commerce, health, education, culture and fast-emerging global terrorism. If we act today, we may leave a better technological base and a solid foundation on which future generations can thrive.
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