Africa: Bridging the digital divide; moving from pledges to action

In a bid to bridge the digital divide and enhance economic opportunities, the government of Ghana has taken significant steps towards investing in broadband connectivity. With a focus on rural areas where private sector investors have been hesitant to venture due to limited returns on investment, the government has embarked on an ambitious project to improve access to digital services. CNBC Africa recently spoke with Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communication and Digitalization in Ghana, to shed light on the country's initiatives and the importance of digital infrastructure in driving growth and development. Ghana recently secured a $200 million loan from the World Bank to bolster broadband access, improve the quality of digital public services, and foster innovation in the country. This substantial investment underscores the government's commitment to leveraging technology to create jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens. Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasized the critical role of government intervention in expanding connectivity to underserved areas, noting that while the private sector is key to driving investment, there are gaps that require state support. One of the key strategies employed by Ghana is a public-private partnership model that involves the government laying the groundwork for telecommunications infrastructure in rural regions, allowing private sector entities to extend services to these communities. By sharing the initial investment burden with private companies, the government aims to catalyze connectivity in areas that would otherwise be neglected. This collaborative approach not only benefits local residents by providing access to essential services but also creates new opportunities for businesses to thrive in these regions. Moreover, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful highlighted the transformative impact of enhanced connectivity on various sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. The establishment of a robust digital network enables seamless communication and data exchange, leading to improved service delivery and economic growth. By prioritizing last-mile connectivity and leveraging existing infrastructure like the electricity network to deploy fiber-optic cables, Ghana seeks to reduce deployment costs and expand access to high-speed internet across the country. In addition to bolstering domestic connectivity, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stressed the significance of fostering regional integration and intra-African trade through improved digital infrastructure. By building national fiber backbones that extend to border regions and collaborating with neighboring countries to establish seamless connectivity, African nations can unlock new economic potentials and facilitate cross-border commerce. The vision of a interconnected continent where e-commerce flourishes and logistics chains operate efficiently is within reach if policymakers prioritize investments in digital connectivity. As the continent grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and contends with global disparities in access to resources like vaccines, the imperative for self-reliance and intra-African cooperation has never been more pressing. Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasized the need for Africa to harness its demographic dividend, characterized by a youthful population and burgeoning digital skills, to drive the next wave of economic growth. By empowering the youth with the right training and tools, Africa can position itself as a competitive player in the global workforce and capitalize on its inherent strengths. Looking ahead, Ghana's approach to bridging the digital divide serves as a blueprint for other African nations seeking to leverage technology for socio-economic development. By investing in infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and prioritizing regional connectivity, countries across the continent can pave the way for a prosperous and interconnected future. The path to unlocking Africa's potential lies in embracing digital transformation and collaboration to create a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem.