Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) is poised to transform the digital landscape across Eastern Africa by enhancing connectivity and accessibility. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by expanding high-speed internet and modern communication systems to rural and underserved areas.
By lowering the cost of internet access, particularly in landlocked countries where prices are higher, EARDIP will make digital services more affordable and accessible. This expansion is crucial for ensuring more people can participate in the digital economy and improving access to essential services such as e-commerce, online education, and telemedicine.
Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) also focuses on creating a unified digital framework to strengthen regional integration and enhance cybersecurity. The project will establish a comprehensive digital network and harmonise ICT regulations to facilitate smoother cross-border communication and trade. Additionally, it will implement a regional cybersecurity framework to protect digital infrastructure and users from threats.
By developing interoperable payment systems and supporting legal frameworks for remote transactions, EARDIP aims to make cross-border trade more efficient and cost-effective. These efforts will promote a more cohesive regional market, drive economic growth, and position Eastern Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action to address digital poverty in the UK, stressing that millions of individuals and families lack access to essential digital resources. According to recent data, up to 19 million adults and 1 in 5 children are affected, underscoring a significant gap in digital inclusion that needs immediate attention. The DPA’s CEO, Elizabeth Anderson, emphasises that as digital technology becomes more integral to everyday life, access to digital devices, broadband connectivity, and digital skills should be considered fundamental rights.
DPA’s recent initiatives, including Tech4Families and Tech4Youth, focus on bridging the digital divide by providing access to devices, internet connectivity, and essential digital skills training. These programs are crucial for supporting underserved communities and helping them overcome the barriers posed by digital poverty. By targeting families, young people, and young carers, the DPA aims to ensure that those most in need receive the support required to participate fully in the digital world.
DPA’s End Digital Poverty Day raises awareness and drives action against digital exclusion. In collaboration with Currys and Virgin Media O2, the DPA emphasises the urgency of eliminating digital poverty by 2030, underscoring digital access as a fundamental right and calling for broad support to bridge the digital divide.
Brazil enhanced its commitment to digital inclusion and connectivity at the G20 meeting on the Digital Economy in Maceió. The Brazilian government is driving significant projects such as the National Strategy for Connected Schools, which aims to connect 138,000 public schools by 2026.
The following initiative demonstrates Brazil’s dedication to integrating educational institutions into the digital landscape and providing students access to essential digital resources. Additionally, Brazil is developing new metrics to evaluate the economic accessibility of digital services, ensuring that connectivity is widespread and affordable for all socioeconomic groups.
Brazil also enhances its focus on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain as part of its broader digital strategy. At the meeting, discussions are centred on effectively leveraging these technologies while addressing cybersecurity and data protection challenges. Brazil is advocating for the establishment of international standards to guide the responsible use of these technologies, aiming to build global trust and confidence.
Why does this matter?
The dual approach, improving digital infrastructure and regulating emerging technologies, reflects Brazil’s commitment to advancing global digital equity and fostering sustainable growth.
Huawei is significantly contributing to Malawi’s digital transformation through its comprehensive Smart Village Program, which aims to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. This program integrates smart agriculture technologies, expands access to financial services, and enhances education and healthcare through digital solutions.
As part of this initiative, Huawei will establish technical training centres in rural regions to equip young people with crucial digital skills in AI, cybersecurity, and smart agriculture. That effort is a key component of Huawei’s larger $430 million investment plan for Africa, which includes funding for cloud development, talent development, and long-term technological progress.
The initiative supports Malawi’s MW2063 agenda, which envisions transforming the country into an industrialised upper-middle-income nation by 2063. It also builds on previous collaborations, such as the launch of Malawi’s National Data Centre in 2022, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s digital infrastructure.
In addition to Malawi, Huawei’s regional impact extends to other African countries, including Zambia and Uganda, where it is involved in smart village projects, and Kenya, where it contributes to smart city initiatives. These efforts aim to enhance connectivity and drive technological innovation across the continent.
The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has outlined several recommendations to enhance the coordination of federal broadband programs to ensure efficient use of resources and equitable access to high-speed internet. One key recommendation is to standardise programs at the time of authorisation, which would reduce complexity and unnecessary variation for applicants. By establishing common frameworks and guidelines, stakeholders can navigate the application processes more effectively, streamlining broadband initiatives’ deployment across various regions.
Another significant recommendation focuses on the coordination of funding among federal agencies in the US. The NTIA suggests that agencies should work collaboratively to minimise duplication of efforts and ensure that federal broadband funding is directed to areas with the most pressing needs. This involves documenting standard operating procedures to guide funding decisions and promote the most efficient utilisation of resources, ultimately enhancing the impact of federal investments in broadband infrastructure.
Data collection and mapping are also critical areas highlighted in the NTIA’s recommendations. Federal broadband programs should align their reporting requirements with the standards set for the Broadband Funding Map and NTIA’s annual access broadband report. The NTIA encourages efforts to incentivise states to contribute relevant data, which would improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of broadband deployment data. This enhanced data collection is essential for informed decision-making and effective planning in addressing the digital divide.
Additionally, the NTIA recommends common policies across federal programs to adjust funding and establish a deduplication review process through revised MOUs. This would enable agencies and State Broadband Offices to review funding commitments, preventing overlaps and ensuring effective resource allocation.
In partnership with ZTE Corporation, Orange Liberia has completed the deployment of 128 RuralPilot EcoSites across rural Liberia in just three months. The project notably enhances network coverage in underserved areas, providing essential 2G voice and 4G data services.
Each site utilises low-power wireless base station equipment operating on the 800MHz and 900MHz bands and is equipped with solar energy systems and smart lithium batteries supported by PowerPilot AI energy-saving software—this innovative infrastructure addresses transmission challenges through microwave, satellite, and 4G relay technologies.
Jean Marius YAO, CEO of Orange Liberia, highlighted the company’s commitment to improving communication services, stating that these new sites will support rural communities’ economic and social development. Zhang Guanzhen, CEO of ZTE Orange MEA Account, praised the collaboration as a big milestone despite challenges like underdeveloped infrastructure.
With this new network in place, over 580,000 subscribers in rural areas will benefit from enhanced digital, financial, and energy inclusion, marking a transformative advancement in Liberia’s telecommunications landscape.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued new guidance on using Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds for alternative technologies, such as unlicensed fixed wireless access (uFWA) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. The guidance is open for public comment until 10 September 2024 and emphasises that while fibre remains the ‘gold standard,’ alternative technologies can help bridge the digital divide when reliable options like coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless are too expensive or unavailable.
The document specifies that BEAD funds cannot be allocated to areas already served by uFWA or LEO services that meet the program’s speed and latency requirements, preventing unnecessary overbuilding. Eligible entities must include one-time installation costs and customer premises equipment in their funding proposals to alleviate consumer financial barriers. Additionally, LEO satellite services are permitted under specific conditions, distinguishing them from ineligible geostationary satellite services.
The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) has welcomed this clarification, viewing it as a positive step toward flexibility in the BEAD program and addressing concerns about overbuilding in areas already served.
A recently published report by the University of Sheffield and its research partners proposes implementing a ‘digital vaccination’ for children to combat misinformation and bridge the digital divide. The report sets out recommendations for digital upskilling and innovative approaches to address the digital divide that hampers the opportunities of millions of children in the UK.
The authors warn that there could be severe economic and educational consequences without addressing these issues, highlighting that over 40% of UK children lack access to broadband or a device, and digital skills shortages cost £65 billion annually.
The report calls for adopting the Minimum Digital Living Standards framework to ensure every household has the digital infrastructure. It also stresses the need for improved school digital literacy education, teacher training, and new government guidance to mitigate online risks, including fake news.
In Silicon Valley, leaders from the US Chamber, African business communities, and the governments of the US and Côte d’Ivoire gathered to discuss Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation. The event, which included visits to Google’s headquarters, explored opportunities for public-private collaboration and tech investment in West Africa, aiming to bridge Africa’s digital divide and foster growth for US and Ivorian businesses.
The conference emphasised the potential for US businesses to expand into Côte d’Ivoire, increase exports, and invest in the country, showcasing digital tools to help understand Africa’s market landscapes. The Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization’s National Digital Development Strategy 2021-2025, focusing on innovation and digital trust, was a central topic. Projects like Cybastion’s national data centre and smart city centre are key components of this strategy.
Prominent speakers included Dr Eugene Aka Aoule of Côte d’Ivoire, US Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, and Google’s Charles Murito. They highlighted initiatives like Google’s Grow with Google Program, aiming to equip businesses with digital tools. The US-Africa Business Center Vice President, Dr Guevera Yao, led a Q&A on economic development through digital transformation.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Digital Acceleration Zero Paper 2030 plan aims to leverage $600 million in investments to enhance e-government services, digital infrastructure, and broadband access. This commitment to digital transformation is echoed across the continent, with significant digital deals recently signed at the US-Kenya Business Forum, reinforcing the ongoing support for Africa’s digital growth.
Sri Lanka has granted preliminary approval to Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer internet services in the country, as announced by the president’s office recently. The decision was expedited following a meeting between Musk and President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Indonesia during the 10th World Water Forum.
According to the president’s office, the telecommunications regulator approved the proposal after a public consultation. Discussions between Musk and Wickremesinghe focused on enhancing internet connectivity in rural areas of Sri Lanka and exploring potential renewable energy collaborations.
