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and will likely foster the development of challenge founded on Africa’s poor digital literacy
e-commerce and a digital economy in line with foundation is that the majority of people across
global trends. This opportunity should include Africa lack basic computer skills. This means
the provision of computers and mobile phones that even if computers and the Internet were
to the rural areas. In terms of mobile phones, the provided,they may not be used at all. However,
need now is for smart phones which have the this still presents an opportunity to teach digital
functionalities of a computer. Other opportunities literacy across all age groups.
are in the provision of access points for Internet Another reason African entrepreneurs may not
services in unserved and hard-to-reach areas. be attracted to ICTs in Africa is that the cost of
There are also opportunities to provide digital services is too high. For example, in 2016, 1GB of
literacy across different age groups including data cost an average citizen 18% of their average
those who are not in school. income, against only 3% in Asia. The pricing
If these opportunities exist, why are African policies of mobile telephone operators, such as
entrepreneurs not utilising them for their hefty charges for calls to competitor networks,
businesses and contributing to the growth of also makes ICT expensive in Africa.
Africa’s digital economy? Speeding up ICT Africa’s entrepreneurs should come out and take
services in Africa faces several challenges which advantage of the opportunities in the digital
may explain the lack of interest from entrepreneurs. sphere. This can be done by working with African
The nature of ICT is that it relies on other governments who are also eager to roll out ICT in
key services such as energy without which it is all spheres of life in keeping with global trends. At
difficult to use. Energy access remains one of the the policy level, it would also be useful for African
biggest challenges Africa is facing. According to governments to investin digital literacy early so
the African Development Bank, over 640 million the demand for digital products can rise as young
Africans do not have access to energy. people grow. But there is also need to strengthen
The African Development Bank further notes partnerships between African entrepreneurs and
that Africa also remains the continent with the governments in the provision of digital products
lowest electricity access rate which stands at 40%. and services. This will make ICT products
It adds that in terms of per capita consumption accessible while building entrepreneurial capacity.
of energy; the continent is trailing behind other
regions of the world at 180 kWh compared to
13,000 kWh in the United States and 6,500
kWh in Europe. This challenge means that even
if entrepreneurs will provide ICT services, the
lack of electricity will stand in their way. Another

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