Many East Africans take the internet for granted. It is not too slow or too fast and you are assured of fair connection in most areas. Rwanda, for example, has 95 per cent 4G coverage with her closest EAC countries not too far behind. It is of interest for those of us who traverse the borders knowing that you can work on the go anywhere in the region. Comfortable with our status quo, a not so travelled friend of mine recently wanted to know how we are faring compared with the rest of Africa. He was planning to travel and wanted to know what to expect. This presented an opportunity to catch up on the latest trends, of which we have a fairly good idea about what to expect through the regular analyses such as GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index. The index rates countries’ mobile internet ecosystem is using a mix of four indicators, namely, infrastructure, affordability, content and services, and consumer readiness. Overall, Sub-Saharan African mobile connectivity in its 2018 report scores an average of 38 in the Index, an improvement from 29 in 2014. Countries in West and Southern Africa, as well as in the EAC (except South Sudan and Burundi) score well above the average for Sub-Saharan Africa. The connectivity report further reveals that 250 million, or 24 per cent penetration, of the population in Sub-Sahara had used internet services on a mobile device by 2018. Compare this with Rwanda which by 2018 had 52.1 per cent of the population using the internet, most of them using their handsets to go online. This is including Tanzania at 40 per cent penetration, Uganda at 45.9 per cent and Kenya at 89 per cent. Most of the countries in these sub-regions mentioned above are categorised as having “medium connectivity”. However, research by the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) finds that users in Africa contend with average median download speeds of less than a seventh the speed enjoyed by European users. Except for those with high-speed fibre connections, the rest of us are caught in low the median speeds. Our speeds, however, works pretty well from my experience though we could do better. For now, what is important is to increase internet uptake and to be as inclusive as possible. The dividends are worth the effort. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), expanding mobile broadband penetration by 10 per cent in Africa would yield an increase of 2.5 per cent in GDP per capita. It also says that a 10 per cent drop in mobile broadband prices will boost the adoption of mobile broadband technology by more than 3.1 per cent. This brings to mind the just launched Mara smartphone being manufactured in Rwanda. One of its aims is to boost uptake of the phone to connect more to the digital economy. With such a situation in mind, the concept of Meaningful Connection introduced last month by the A4AI encourages policymakers to target both improved quality of service and expansion of access. Meaningful Connection focuses on the core components required for an internet connection that gives people the power, flexibility, and freedom to engage in the kinds of online activities that can deliver substantial benefits. Addressed in tandem, the core components allow for a full internet experience for users. The components include allowing users to have sufficient download speeds and an adequate device that users can both produce and consume content online. Other components include allowing for enough data, lack of which often stands in the way of individuals fully using the internet-based applications they consider important. Frequent connection is also a required component so that users can connect to the internet every so often so that it becomes a meaningful tool for them. It is expected that 220 million Africans will have come online for the first time by 2021. This, however, will require $9 billion investment for this to be achieved. Further ahead, it is projected that by 2030 all Africans will be connected to broadband at a cost of $100 billion spent over the next decade. For now, my friend is certain to find internet wherever he travels on the continent. The only thing is the difference in quality and speed which we should is worked on as promised in the many situation analyses. The views expressed in this article are of the author.
