The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says Africa is struggling with gender disparity in internet access, with significant implications for digital inclusion.
The Chief, Digital Knowledge Society Department, ITU, Ms Sofie Maddens, said this during the Colloquium on Legislative Agenda for the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 on Wednesday in Lagos.
Maddens highlighted that the gender parity score in Africa stands at 0.72 per cent, which was the lowest among all regions, with almost no improvement since 2018.
According to her, only 31 per cent of women in Africa have access to the internet, compared to 43 per cent of men, underscoring a significant digital divide.
Maddens emphasised that this disparity was exacerbated by limited access to digital skills, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
She stressed the need for targeted support and investment to bridge the digital divide, particularly for women and rural communities.
Maddens also highlighted the importance of regulatory harmonisation and corporation to promote digital inclusion and affordability.
She noted that universal and meaningful connectivity was a policy imperative to fully leverage the potential of connectivity and enable digital transformation.
Maddens emphasised that Africa remained the least affordable region for internet access, with the cost of entry-level mobile plans standing at 3.9 per cent of GNI per capita, above the United Nations target of below two per cent.
She called for increased investment in digital infrastructure, skills development, and inclusive strategies to address the digital divide and promote meaningful connectivity.
“As Africa continues to lag behind other regions in terms of digital adoption, the ITU’s message underscores the urgent need for collective action to bridge the gap and ensure that everyone can access the internet optimally and affordably,” Maddens said.
The two-day event featured robust discussions among industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders on ways to chart a transformative path for Nigeria’s digital future.
NAN
