Commerce

ITU initiatives empower underserved communities with digital skills, fostering inclusion and innovation for Africa’s sustainable digital future. (Image source: ITU)

The ITU’s latest 2024 estimates, released in November, highlight the ongoing digital divide between high-income and low-income countries. While Africa’s digital transformation is progressing, only 38% of its population uses the Internet, far below the global average of 68%.

Although 85% of Africa’s population has access to at least 3G mobile broadband, 4G coverage extends to only 60%, and 5G to a mere 11%, compared to the global 5G average of 51%.

Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, brings over 30 years of experience in telecommunications and has successfully implemented numerous impactful ICT projects worldwide.

A closer examination of the data uncovers further disparities:

In Africa, only 31% of women are connected to the Internet compared to 43% of men, and girls have less access than boys. To foster economic success, it is vital to ensure that young girls feel empowered and confident in their ability to use modern technology.

Another revealing statistic shows that 25% of rural Africans remain entirely unconnected due to insufficient broadband infrastructure. Internet connectivity also shows a stark urban-rural divide: 57% of urban residents are connected, compared to just 23% in rural areas. A lack of digital skills and unfamiliarity with technology further inhibit Internet usage.

Catalysing digital futures

The ITU is working with policymakers, businesses, community leaders, and innovators to address these challenges. Initiatives aim to provide digital skills training, ensure affordability of technologies and services for marginalised groups, and assist nations in upgrading their regulatory frameworks and infrastructure.

One notable programme is the Digital Transformation Centres (DTCs) initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019 to enhance digital literacy in underserved areas. With 14 DTCs, the initiative has equipped nearly 400,000 people with the digital skills necessary for employment or entrepreneurship.

These centres are also introducing programming and other digital skills to schoolchildren. Africa, the world’s youngest continent—where 70% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa is under 30, according to UN figures—holds immense potential. This potential can only be unlocked if both boys and girls are equally empowered through technology.

In 2024, several ITU-led or supported initiatives helped thousands of underserved youth join the global Internet community. Notable examples include International Girls in ICT Day, which helped 40,000 girls from 84 countries enhance their digital skills; the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme, involving 30 young changemakers from 28 nations and co-led by Huawei; and the Her Digital Skills initiative, which trained over 1,400 young women across 19 countries in partnership with EY, GSMA, and W4, as well as the AI Skills Accelerator for Girls co-led by EY.

The impact of these programs will resonate for years.

Africa’s growing digital enterprise sector was on display at the ITU Global Innovation Forum in October, where two of the three innovation award winners hailed from the continent. Malawi’s Muuni Fund was recognized for its work fostering entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, while Uganda’s Bulamu Bridge AI Technologies received accolades for FemiHub, an app and WhatsApp chatbot providing women’s health information and services.

On April 24, 2025, the world will celebrate International Girls in ICT Day once more, an annual event aimed at inspiring girls and young women to pursue STEM education and careers.

“I encourage communities to organize events and activities to support girls as they learn about STEM and help them benefit fully from the power of technology.”

Managing Director, PalmPay, Chika Nwosu with Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria, at the recent press conference to announce the PalmPay / Jumia partnership. (Image source: Palmpay)

PalmPay, a leading Africa-focused fintech behind Nigeria’s most popular mobile wallet, has teamed up with Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce powerhouse, in a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the digital payment landscape across the continent

This collaboration kicks off in Nigeria with integrated payment solutions and co-marketing initiatives.

The partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to fostering the adoption of digital payments and supporting Nigeria's transition to a cashless economy. With PalmPay now integrated as a payment option on Jumia, shoppers can use their PalmPay wallet at checkout, benefiting from a seamless and reliable transaction process.

“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, chief marketing officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”

Sunil Natraj, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, added, “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience. This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”

This partnership sets the stage for a long-term collaboration between two industry leaders, focused on driving innovation, improving consumer convenience, and promoting digital payment adoption across Africa.

Galaxy Backbone (GBB) has announced the successful implementation of its advanced fibre optic network across Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin

This achievement, a key milestone under Phase II of the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) project, highlights GBB’s dedication to enhancing connectivity and advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Ibrahim A Adeyanju, managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, remarked, “The expansion of our fibre optic network to Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin is a significant step forward in our mission to bridge the digital divide and position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. This advanced infrastructure empowers us to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that serve the needs of both the public and private sectors.”

Connecting Nigeria seamlessly 

With an extensive optical fibre backbone now spanning over 5,000 kms and connecting 27 state capitals, GBB strengthens its role as Nigeria’s digital backbone. This development integrates the nation’s six geopolitical zones, promoting digital inclusion, driving economic progress, and reinforcing GBB’s position as a leader in the digital space.

The newly established Abuja-to-Lagos route, covering cities like Minna, Bida, Mokwa, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibadan, and Lagos, is a significant enhancement to network reliability. This closed network ring connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, to Abuja, the capital city, ensuring service redundancy and reducing downtime for a superior user experience.

:“This expansion not only supports the government’s digital economy agenda but also sets the stage for meaningful collaboration with private sector organizations seeking to leverage our infrastructure. Together, we can unlock innovation and drive sustainable development across diverse sectors,” stated Adeyanju. 

By delivering secure, high-speed connectivity, Galaxy Backbone empowers businesses and government institutions alike. Its expansion into Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin solidifies its role in Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and its vision for a digitally inclusive future.

Mastercard Strive, Arifu, and MTN Group support small businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda with digital tools, skills, and financial access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Mastercard Strive has teamed up with Arifu and MTN Group to empower nearly one million small businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda

The partnership focuses on digitizing operations, promoting the adoption of digital financial services, and connecting businesses to digital marketplaces through the MoMo Coach chatbot. This initiative equips small business owners with essential digital skills, enabling them to embrace digital tools, secure funding, and effectively participate in online marketplaces.

The MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, delivers micro-learning experiences through mobile messaging. Accessible on multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and MoMo, it offers business owners and entrepreneurs the flexibility to access practical advice and actionable strategies for growth in the digital economy.

Since its launch in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, the program has reached over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents. More than 75,000 small business owners have taken advantage of free digital courses, with over 45,000 actively engaging with MoMo Coach. Available courses, such as “How to Start Your Business,” “Money Management,” and “Grow and Secure Your Business,” address common challenges like affordability and access to relevant knowledge. These courses are tailored to the needs of MoMo merchants and agents, equipping small business owners with tools to overcome obstacles and thrive in the digital landscape.