With the continual advances in technology, global internet usage continues to increase year on year. At the start of 2023, it was estimated that around 64.6% of the world’s total population are internet users, with statistics indicating a growth of just under 3% from the previous year. With a substantial proportion of those who are “unconnected” residing in Africa, the continent continues to lag behind the developed world, largely due to extremely high costs and lack of infrastructure. The embedded PDF looks at the current standards of living in Africa.
The Benefits of Internet Access for Developing Countries
As the CEO of MPS Technologies Limited Johnson Salako can corroborate, internet access can make a huge difference to those living in developing countries. Applications such as WhatsApp and WeChat help individuals to stay in touch with family and friends and reduce isolation. From an economic standpoint, people can access banking and loan services to get more support for their businesses and improve their economic prospects.
Furthermore, education provision varies across Africa, with children in more urban areas having higher chances of receiving a more comprehensive education than those in rural areas. Upgraded connectivity can deliver virtual educational content to those children who would not otherwise be able to access it. The attached infographic shows some statistics on the levels of poverty across the African continent.
Global Internet Provision Requires Further Investment
The current cost of internet access in Africa is extortionate, with a 2019 Alliance for Affordable Internet report estimating the cost for just 1GB of data to be more than 7% of an average monthly salary. To put that in perspective, if someone receiving an average salary in the US were to pay the same portion of their income, it would cost about $373 a month to access just 1GB of data. It is crucial that internet access is improved to better the prospects of those living in developing countries. It is clear that achieving the goal of affordable internet access for all in Africa necessitates significant investment. The attached video looks at the value of investing in developing countries.
There is more demand than ever for reliable internet services among Africans, with around 40% of the population using the internet occasionally or owning a smartphone with internet access. To build on this provision it is estimated that telecoms companies, in conjunction with governments and investors, will have to invest over $100bn over the next 10 years. There are further complications that will have to be addressed, not least of which is a lack of reliable electricity. There is reason to be optimistic, however, with the evolution of telecom technology making it possible to place masts in a variety of locations.
Despite the vast sums of money that will be required to bring Africa’s internet coverage in line with developed countries, this investment will support economic growth and improve Africans’ daily lives.