Nigeria, others need $ 100 billion for affordable broadband Internet

TO manage the possible effect of the pandemic on the economy post- COVID- 19, Nigeria and other parts of the Continent will require about $ 100 billion for universal, affordable and good quality Internet access by 2030.

This was stated by the Director of T echnology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management at the Economic Commission for Africa ( ECA), Jean- Paul Adam, during a virtual press briefing, yesterday.

Recall that part of the effect of the coronavirus was the lock

• Continent contributes less than 1% to global digital economy

down of the economy, almost globally. This led to most organisations, people, including religious institutions to work virtually using the telephones and the Internet to communicate and transact businesses.

Already, in the New National Broadband Plan 2020 to 2025, recently unveiled in Nigeria by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission ( NCC), Prof.

Umar Danbatta, it has been estimated that about $ 5 billion will be required to deploy broadband services across the 774 Local Government Areas ( LGAS) of the country.

Adam, who disclosed that due to lack to infrastructure, Africa contributes less than one per cent to the world’s digital economy, which accounts for about 15 per cent of global GDP, he stressed that “the continent needs about $ 100 billion to achieve universal, affordable and good quality internet access by 2030 ( according to the World Bank). Presently, only 17.8 per cent of households in Africa have Internet at home and the continent accounts for only 21 per cent of worldwide Internet users.”

It is estimated that over a quarter of a billion school children in Africa have been affected by COVID- 19 and most of them lack the digital tools to continue their education online.

“This is very concerning and conveys a strong message that broadband connectivity is absolutely crucial for educational institutions and businesses to continue to provide essential services,” said Adam, adding “reliable, high- speed Internet is key to ensuring that hospitals and medical institutions can access the global information network and resources necessary to fight COVID- 19.”

He cited affordability as one of the biggest barriers to internet access in Africa, stating “The average cost of 1GB of data on the continent is 7.12 per cent of average income, with some countries having rates as high as 20 per cent, which is way above the 1 – 2 per cent deemed to be affordable.”