Bridging the Connectivity Gap

Virtual

The African Union has set the ambitious goal of connecting every individual, business, and government on the continent by 2030. Access to the Internet has become increasingly available, yet Africa has one of the lowest connectivity rates, with only 22% of the continent holding access. How do we bridge the connectivity divide across Africa? From the construction of undersea Internet cable to advancements in 5G options, connectivity across Africa has required significant investment and regulatory reforms. Major technologies such as Starlink and other low-earth orbit satellite services could also connect the dots, providing inclusive access to rural and low-density areas. How can we help create a regulatory template to help make these services available? What support from international and regional agencies would be needed to facilitate this? How can African governments collaborate with technological corporations to design and map access to schools and difficult to reach areas?