Paper short abstract:

Africa has experienced rapid digitalisation over the last decade but with this has come the digital divide. Using data from Ibrahim Index of African Governance among other sources, this paper shines a light on those who have been left behind by the digital revolution.

Paper long abstract:

Access to ICTs has grown rapidly in Africa over the last decade and with a generation of digital entrepreneurs adapting to new global conditions, much has been made of the continent's digital revolution. Indeed, success stories such as Kenya's MPESA mobile money system have demonstrated that digitalisation can provide African countries an opportunity to 'leapfrog', utilising new technologies to meet current challenges in many areas of public life. However, with digitalisation has come the digital divide, exacerbating existing inequalities. Access to ICTs is highly uneven between different countries on the continent, while within countries lack of infrastructure and high prices can create divides along urban/rural lines and economic lines respectively. In addition to physical access, there is a divide in access to the training and skills needed to harness such technology effectively, potentially restraining learning opportunities for women and girls. Furthermore, in the age of e-governance the digital divide impacts democratic participation and access to essential public services, excluding those who lack access to ICTs or the skills to use them. Ultimately, the continent will not be able to truly leverage its digital potential until the digital divide is bridged. For this policy makers will need data-driven analysis that identifies where the divide is most pronounced. This paper will provide such analysis, drawing on a wealth of data from Ibrahim Index of African Governance and other complementary sources, it will shine a light on those who have been left behind by the digital revolution.