Africa’s digital transformation risks becoming trapped in geopolitical competition
Expanding internet connectivity is not a new issue in Africa. Despite some progress, notably in internet coverage, the growing usage gap (access to the internet, but the inability to use it) has been steadily increasing. In sub-Saharan Africa, it went from 36% in 2014 to 49% in 2019, which is twice the global average. This is because of several factors, including the affordability of data and handsets, as well as digital literacy.
