Technology for Development and Inclusion in Africa

The document analyzes the 'digital divide' in Africa, where limited access to ICT infrastructure and digital literacy exacerbates social and economic inequalities. It critiques the 'information technology for development' (IT4D) approach when it treats technology as a panacea rather than a delivery mechanism. The author argues that successful interventions, such as M-Pesa, focus on solving fundamental problems (e.g., financial agency) rather than the technology itself. The briefing recommends that governments shift toward problem-driven approaches, focusing on user co-creation and institutional barriers to ensure technology promotes genuine inclusion and equity.

• The digital divide in Africa is characterized by a significant gap in internet access compared to global averages; only 20% of the African population has internet access, whereas the global average is nearly 50% and 80% in developed countries.
• Several specific barriers contribute to the digital divide in African countries, including the high cost of computers and internet access, unreliable electricity in rural areas and informal settlements, a lack of digital literacy, and the unavailability of applications and websites in African languages.
• Technology interventions intended for social good can inadvertently reinforce existing power imbalances, governance issues, and socio-economic inequalities, particularly when they favor wealthier groups who already possess better data and broadband access.
• Successful technology for development (T4D) examples in Africa, such as M-Pesa, edutech, and broadband roll-out, succeeded because they were designed to solve fundamental problems like financial agency, education, and access to information, rather than focusing on the technology as the solution itself.
• There is a critical need to move beyond 'digital inclusion' (which focuses on infrastructure access) toward addressing institutional barriers and the inaccessible nature of governance and decision-making for marginalized citizens.
• To achieve meaningful outcomes, governments and donors should adopt problem-driven approaches that prioritize designing with users and co-creation, treating technology choices as the final step in a solution rather than the first.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2020). Technology for Development and Inclusion in Africa. https://saiia.org.za/research/technology-for-development-and-inclusion-in-africa/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Technology for Development and Inclusion in Africa. 2020. https://saiia.org.za/research/technology-for-development-and-inclusion-in-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Technology for Development and Inclusion in Africa |date=20 August 2020 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/technology-for-development-and-inclusion-in-africa/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2020technology, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Technology for Development and Inclusion in Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2020}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/technology-for-development-and-inclusion-in-africa/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }