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The Myth of the Inclusive Digital Economy: Who Is Really Left Behind?

In the narrative of Africa’s digital transformation, we are often presented with a picture of progress: booming fintech platforms connecting the unbanked, e-commerce hubs creating new markets, and a thriving startup ecosystem touted as the continent’s economic engine. Global institutions, tech giants, and local governments alike have hailed the digital economy as a tool for inclusion, growth, and poverty alleviation. Yet, beneath the surface of this seemingly uplifting story lies a troubling question: who is truly benefiting from Africa’s digital revolution, and who is being left behind?

While technology has undoubtedly improved access to services and opportunities for many, there are glaring gaps in who can actually participate in this so-called inclusive economy. Rural women, elderly populations, and other underserved groups often find themselves excluded from the digital boom, raising the spectre of a two-speed economy where the connected prosper while others fall further behind. To address these disparities, it is crucial to interrogate the structural barriers that perpetuate digital exclusion and explore strategies to bridge the gaps.

A Tale of Two Economies

The promise of Africa’s digital economy lies in its ability to leapfrog traditional development barriers. Mobile money platforms like M-Pesa have made Kenya a case study for financial inclusion, while e-commerce platforms like Jumia have created new markets for African entrepreneurs. But these success stories mask the uneven distribution of digital access.

Take the case of rural women, who represent a significant portion of Africa’s population and are often at the heart of agricultural production. Despite their critical role in food security, rural women are among the least likely to benefit from digital tools that could enhance productivity, such as mobile-based agricultural advisory services or digital payment platforms. The barriers are multifaceted: limited digital literacy, lack of access to affordable smartphones, and inadequate infrastructure such as electricity and internet connectivity.

Similarly, elderly populations—often dismissed as “digitally irrelevant”—face their own unique challenges. As governments and businesses pivot to digital-first strategies for everything from healthcare to banking, older Africans are increasingly sidelined. Digital services, while efficient, often fail to account for the needs of those who are not tech-savvy or lack the resources to navigate online systems. For these populations, the digital economy can feel less like an opportunity and more like a gatekeeping mechanism that excludes them from essential services.

Structural Barriers to Inclusion

The exclusion of underserved groups is not merely a matter of access; it is the result of systemic issues that extend beyond technology. One key factor is the affordability gap. While smartphone penetration is increasing, the cost of devices and data remains prohibitive for many. According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet, the average African household would need to spend more than 5% of its monthly income to afford 1GB of data—well above the United Nations’ affordability target of 2%.

In addition, the digital economy often mirrors and amplifies existing social inequalities. Gender norms, for instance, play a significant role in limiting women’s access to technology. In many rural communities, cultural expectations around women’s roles in the household mean they have less time and fewer resources to engage with digital tools. Even when access is available, the content and services provided are often not designed with these groups in mind, leading to a mismatch between technological solutions and actual needs.

The private sector, while driving much of the digital transformation, also bears some responsibility for perpetuating exclusion. Many tech startups and corporations focus on urban markets, where profitability is higher and infrastructure is more developed. This “urban bias” leaves rural and marginalised populations at the periphery of innovation, reinforcing a cycle of exclusion.

Towards a Truly Inclusive Digital Economy

Addressing these disparities requires a fundamental shift in how we think about digital inclusion. It is not enough to expand internet access or distribute devices; inclusion must be embedded in the design, implementation, and regulation of digital technologies.

  1. Investing in Digital Literacy: Governments, NGOs, and private companies must prioritise digital literacy programmes tailored to underserved groups. For rural women, for example, integrating digital skills training into agricultural extension services could create a pathway for them to adopt and benefit from new technologies. Similarly, community-based workshops can help elderly populations build confidence in using digital tools.
  2. Making Technology Affordable: Affordability remains a significant barrier, and policy interventions are needed to make technology more accessible. Governments could offer subsidies for devices and data packages targeted at low-income households, while public-private partnerships could drive down costs through bulk procurement and infrastructure sharing.
  3. Localised Solutions: One-size-fits-all approaches often fail to address the nuanced needs of underserved groups. Tech companies must work closely with local communities to co-create solutions that are contextually relevant. For example, developing voice-based applications in local languages could make digital tools more accessible to non-literate populations.
  4. Policy and Regulation: Governments must adopt inclusive digital policies that prioritise marginalised groups. This includes enforcing universal service obligations for telecom companies, mandating gender-sensitive approaches in digital initiatives, and ensuring that public services remain accessible to those without internet access.
  5. Challenging Corporate Incentives: The private sector must be incentivised to invest in underserved areas. This could involve tax breaks for companies that expand services to rural regions or collaborate with NGOs to deploy digital tools for social good. At the same time, transparency and accountability measures should be in place to ensure that corporate initiatives genuinely benefit local communities.

Beyond Access: Building a Human-Centred Economy

Ultimately, the digital economy cannot be truly inclusive if it is designed solely for profit maximisation. The emphasis must shift from access alone to meaningful participation—where underserved groups are not just passive recipients of technology but active agents shaping its development. This requires a broader rethinking of what inclusion means, one that prioritises human-centred approaches over market-driven solutions.

As Africa continues its digital transformation, it is crucial to recognise that technology is not a panacea. The digital economy holds immense potential to drive growth and innovation, but without deliberate efforts to address its inherent inequalities, it risks entrenching the very disparities it seeks to overcome. To realise the promise of an inclusive digital future, Africa must ensure that no one—regardless of gender, age, or geography—is left behind. In doing so, the continent can set a global example for how to build an economy that is not just digital, but equitable.

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Business of Tech Africa by Juniper Media.