Title: ICT access and usage in Africa
Authors: Alison Gillwald and Christoph Stork
Pages: 45 pp.
ISBN: 2073-0845
Series: Towards Evidence-based ICT Policy and Regulation: Volume One 2008 Policy Paper Two
Publisher: ResearchICTAfrica (RIA)
Date published: 2008
Date accessed: 18/06/2009
Type of information: research publication
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf, 3,7mb)
Abstract:
This paper reports on the findings of the second household and individual user survey of access and usage conducted by RIA between 2007 and 2008 across 17 African countries. It builds on the first household survey conducted by RIA in 2004/5 and a number of subsequent supply-side studies that have demonstrated that across the continent, even where there has been overall sector growth, sector performance has been sub-optimal. For the most part, the primary national policy objectives of delivering affordable access to telecommunications have not been met.

What the studies confirm is that mobile telephony is addressing the gap between those who have voice services and those who do not. However, the divide between those able to access the Internet and the range of enhanced services that have become necessary for effective citizenry and consumer participation, and those not able, has widened. This is not only as a result of limited access but also due to the high cost of communications that not only inhibits access but also constrains individual communication and inflates the input cost to business.