Impact of the Internet in Africa: Establishing conditions for success and catalyzing inclusive growth in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria

This report by the Dalberg Group intends to help policymakers capture the potential of the Internet for social and economic development—to help them understand how their societies already use the Internet, where the opportunities lie, what future potential for social impact the Internet offers, and what their countries need to get there. In order to sample a diversity of social, economic and demographic characteristics as well as a varied approach to Internet governance across Sub-Saharan Africa, the study focused on the current and potential impact of the Internet in four countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.

Access to Internet is in expansion in Subsaharan Africa but its potential is still largely untapped. With a little capital and the right business model, be a step toward the creation of companies that will sustainably and positively impact on the poorest.

The report addresses the current and potential impact of the Internet on various socioeconomic domains. In the health sector, Internet-based applications—especially, eLearning and remote training—have begun to remedy a longstanding and life-threatening shortage of qualified health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, in the domain of trade and business Internet has been used as an enabling medium to create opportunities. While eCommerce is still nascent in Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money is being used (OzinboPay in West Africa, and Pesapal in Kenya) and could be the foundation of eCommerce. Besides, the report shows the impact of the access to Internet in the domain of education and agriculture, among other sectors.

Case studies in Senegal, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria

Tapping this potential for social and economic gains will be achieved through investments in infrastructure and the broader ecosystem for innovation. A thriving Internet economy needs two key pillars:

• Core infrastructure, which includes different facets of an enabling environment (Internet coverage, electricity, availability of skills and percepetions of corruption
• And the conditions for usage which include the access, awareness, availability and attractiveness of the Internet services.

Sub-Saharan Africa countries, although on the right path, must continue to invest in core infrastructure as well as usage conditions in order to maximise the Internet’s impact.

To download this report, please click here

Ousmane Aly DIALLO
Wikiprogress Africa Coordinator

Mobile Technology’s Role in Combating Global Poverty and Enabling Entrepreneurship

Data from the World Bank show that one quarter of the world’s population live at or below the poverty line (1.25$ per day). Lack of capital to start small businesses and to save in order to invest is one of the barrier preventing the uplifiting of people out out poverty. In the same time, we note an increase in the use of mobile technology, which becomes a mean to make monetary transfers, borrow microfinance loans or establish small enterprises.

As part of its Mobile Economy Project, the Brookings Center’s Center for Technology Innovation will host a forum to investigate the means with which mobile devices could help foster entrepreneurship and small business development and other ways to uplift people out of poverty.

This event will be live webcast. Follow the conversation at #TechCTI

Ousmane Aly DIALLO

Wikiprogress Africa Coordinator