Currently, numerous Africa countries are experiencing an escalating second wave of infections of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, most African countries have reinstalled lockdown restrictions to curb and deter the second wave of COVID-19. Just like in the first wave, the continent can leverage the benefit of using modern technologies to help mitigate the impact of the ongoing pandemic.

Notably, digital technologies have enabled the workforce and educational institutions to continue working and communicating during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include electronic devices, systems and related resources with information tools such as websites, smartphones, video streaming, e-books, online commerce, among others. Thus, several activities were carried starting from teaching to graduation and telecommuting or teleworking to food delivery. Digital technologies enabled and sustained the continuation of work, education and communication  for millions of employees and students on the continent.

However, other millions of Africans are unable to connect to the internet, because of the high cost and infrastructural challenges. Consequently, most African communities have relied on the offline world which has proven to be economically and socially isolating.[1] Despite witnessing an incremental adoption and adaptation of modern digital technologies during the pandemic, there has been persistent uneven use of digital technologies that has remained a major hurdle towards socio-economic advancement across the African continent.

Adequately addressing and bridging the digital technological divide, more especially during the pandemic, in this 4th industrial revolution era, could potentially transform Africa's societies. This can lead to the creation of new jobs and wealth which could trickle down to several sectors of the economy such as healthcare, education, transportation, energy, and agriculture. These sectors have been significantly disturbed by the lockdown restrictions because of the pandemic. Thus, by addressing the limited internet penetration, broadband quality, and internet data affordability will help Africa catch up to the rest of the world.[2] Notably, internet connection prices are reported to be the highest in Africa when compared to the rest of the world.[3] Consequently, it becomes difficult for several African communities to access virtual educational activities and business meetings, as well as purchasing commodities and services available through online platforms.

The lack of adequate digital technology access has been continually experienced during the pandemic lockdown restrictions. One of the main reasons for such limited digital technological exposure throughout the continent has been the limited access to compatible and ageing information technology infrastructure within most African countries. Furthermore, Africa still lacks the manpower and skillset required to manage these technologies. This is because most of the digital technology and infrastructure available on the continent continues to be developed from outside the continent. This makes it difficult to maintain and manage such imported technology.

Therefore, there is a call for African innovators and businesses to escalate the creation of localized technological solutions suitable for the African people’s communities. Furthermore, African governments and the private sector are encouraged to cooperatively advance digital technological gains made in Africa. For example, African countries are encouraged to spend about 1.1% or more of their GDP on digital technology investment. However, this is still lower than the average 3.2% that advanced economies spend on digital technology investments[4]. As a result, this will stimulate more research and development of digital solutions. Thus, enabling digital technology innovation and investment across the continent. Furthermore, such efforts can be effectively facilitated by the participation of the private sector investments on affordable and accessible digital technology infrastructure. For example, internet access and mobile money service fees were significantly decreased during the beginning of the pandemic. Consequently, this increased Africa’s population affordability. Several services pertaining to schooling platforms were availed freely in some African countries. This improved schooling access within high school and university students and enabled them to easily prepare and submit assignments online.

In conclusion, African governments and the private sector are encouraged to leverage the young and digital technology conversant population of the continent with access to digital technologies. This can be achieved through enabling policies that encourage the adoption and use of digital technologies. It can also be accomplished through the removal of restrictive regulatory frameworks pertaining to information, communication, and technology. Furthermore, as Africa is experiencing the second COVID-19 wave lockdown restrictions, it will be profitable for Africans to harness digital technologies essential to the sustainability of livelihoods and maintenance of social contact. Regrettably, the COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly altered how the world functions and has illustrated the limitations of the current systems. Therefore, this is highlighting the need to reimagine the role of information technology through digital technologies so to leverage socio-economic productivity and growth for the African continent.[5]

Authors: APET Secretariat

This post is the 1st in a blog series to be published in 2021 by the Secretariat on behalf of the AU High Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) and the Calestous Juma Executive Dialogues (CJED)

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[1] https://www.africaportal.org/features/covid-19-implications-of-the-pandemic-for-the-digital-divide-in-africa/

[2] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2020/02/07/shooting-for-the-moon-an-agenda-to-bridge-africas-digital-divide/

[3] SA has some of Africa’s most expensive data, a new report says – but it is better for the richer: https://www.businessinsider.co.za/how-sas-data-prices-compare-with-the-rest-of-the-world-2020-5

[4] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2020/02/07/shooting-for-the-moon-an-agenda-to-bridge-africas-digital-divide/

[5] https://www.afdb.org/fr/news-and-events/relevance-digital-skills-covid-19-era-36244