The Digital Divide in Africa

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Half of the world’s population has never made or received a phone call, and many live on less than $2 a day. This raises the question of whether there is a causal relationship between the lack of telecommunication and poverty. The digital divide highlights the disparity in ICT usage, such as telephony and the internet, between Africa and other regions. This book aims to explore the factors influencing a nation’s ability to bridge this divide. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the Digital Divide, the Information Society, and the Information Revolution, while addressing why some African countries have more ICT access than others, despite not being wealthier. Author Emlyn Hagen conducts an econometric analysis of various cultural, economic, political, and geographical factors across all 54 independent African nations over a 12-year period. The data includes GDP per capita, telephone lines, language, freedom levels, and foreign investments. The findings indicate that foreign ICT investors are willing to enter even the poorest and most difficult-to-access nations if the political and regulatory environments are favorable. This work serves as a valuable resource for social and economic scientists, as well as telecom industry and policy decision-makers, offering insights into addressing the digital divide in Africa.