Kathy Gibson reports from AfricaCom – Too often, African leaders and policy makers talk about the opportunities we could grasp – but fail to take the action needed to make those opportunities a reality.
The importance of broadband connectivity in today’s economy cannot be over-emphasised, but we need to move fast to avoid falling behind so badly we can never catch up.
John Omo, secretary general of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), believes that Africa’s social and economic development is predicated upon access to broadband.
“But more than 70% of our people are unable to access these opportunities,” he tells delegates to the Broadband Africa Forum being held on the sidelines of AfricaCom in Cape Town.
Fibre is the most viable solution for delivering viable broadband to bridge the gap, and there has been a lot of progress in this area: more than 70 operators provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) today, with South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria leading in broadband development.
So far, the continent has achieve broadband penetration of 15%, which is far below the global average. “This digital divide holds back our potential and limits our ability to participate in the global economy,” Omo says.
Among the challenges to broadband deployment are Africa’s vast distances, geography and spatial development.
Compounding these challenges, a complex and rigid regulatory environment inhibits investment in any infrastructure projects.
“We need to simplify these processes,” Omo says. “Policy makers must lead in creating an environment that is conducive to fibre deployment through regulatory reforms, streamlined processes, and incentives for private sector investment.
“And, importantly, private and public sectors must work together.”
The ATU’s African Fibre White Paper spells out how the continent could connect 70-million households to fibre broadband by 2030.
“What’s needed is a unified approach, with each country committing to clarity and measurable goals.
“But it will need the active participation of all stakeholders,” Omo adds. “The road ahead is not easy. We have seen challenges and successes, but remember those successes are not comparable to the world average.
“We need to make decisions and commitment that will shift the future of the village child in Africa – and allow that child to reach their full potential.”