Page 66 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES

Addressing the digital

gap in Africa

Understanding the digital gap, what it means and how to bridge it, is essential to a more
equitable future for all people in Africa.

“Access to the internet, digital devices, data, connectivity, and the Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Economics, Dr Godfred
ability to use them is taken for granted in this era of the Internet Anakpo, adds: “If not addressed, the digital and inequality gap
of Things where everything is online,” says the Acting Head of between the well-to-do and the poorer will continue to widen. We
Department: Economics, Professor Syden Mishi. set out to contribute research that can inform policy on how to deal
with this imperative. It’s not an option, it’s a social good in the same
“It is a significant issue, because many people in African countries way that running water and electricity is.”
and globally do not have online access and cannot afford it. This
then creates other inequalities, including access to education, Based on their research, Prof Mishi and Dr Anakpo have written a
employment and business opportunities, which the COVID-19 book chapter titled “Digital gap in global and African countries:
pandemic has fast-forwarded.” inequalities of opportunities and COVID-19 crisis impact”,

N2 Makodisini telecommunication tower Transkei 2

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