A Leap from Digital Divide to
Digital OpportunitiesOctavius Kahiya
+263 732 139 939
Scope of divide
• Access• Use• Knowledge of ICT
Inequality in terms of:
• 30 % of Americans do not have broadband at home (Pew internet and American Life Project Survey)
• 0nly 35% of Zimbabweans have access to the internet (POTRAZ)
Evident within same countries
• IDI Rankings 2013: ITU
• South Korea ranked # 1 in the world Niger ranked # 157, Zimbabwe ranked #115. Zimbabwe ranked top 10 of most improved.
More pronounced Developed vs
Developing Countries
What is the IDI?
Access - captures ICT readiness
Fixed-telephony
Mobile telephony
International Internet bandwidth
Households with computers
Households with Internet
Use - captures ICT intensity
Internet users
Fixed (wired)-broadband
Mobile broadband
Skills - captures ICT capability
Adult literacy
Gross secondary enrolment
Gross tertiary enrolment
Composite measure of three clusters created by the UN-ITU
Computers per 100 people
Computers per 100 peopleFixed Subscriptions 2007* 2010^ 2013*^
Africa 0.1% 0.2% 0.3%
Americas 10.9% 14.1% 17.1%
Arab States 0.9% 1.9% 3.3%
Asia & Pacific 3.2% 5.5% 7.6%
Commonwealth of Independent States 2.3% 8.2% 13.5%
Europe 18.4% 23.6% 27.0%
Mobile Subscriptions 2007* 2010^ 2013*^
Africa 0.2% 1.8% 10.9%
Americas 6.4% 22.9% 48.0%
Arab States 0.8% 5.1% 18.9%
Asia & Pacific 3.1% 7.4% 22.4%
Commonwealth of Independent States 0.2% 22.3% 46.0%
Europe 14.7% 28.7% 67.5%
ITU 2013
An Illustration of the digital divide
“Our overall objective is to ensure universal access to the benefits of information and communication technology – including for the two-thirds of the world's population currently not on-line. A digital divide has no place in the information age and 21st century knowledge economy. The management of information and communication technology should be transparent, democratic and inclusive.“Bin Ki Mon
Advantages of the Great Leap Forward:
1. Economic benefits of broadband for the European Commission’ there is a consensus that a 10% increase in broadband penetration results in an increase in GDP growth of between 0.9% and 1.5%
2. Engine of economic growth and developmentImproves education and skillsIncreased employment opportunity Increased efficiencies
3. Improves educational and economic prospectsHarnessing ICT improves competitiveness, development, employment and well-being
4. Allows rapid dissemination of information5. Enhances social transparency6. Lower socio-economic groups will get an opportunity to reduce
marginalisation and social exclusion
Research by Analysis Mason
We can make history!
Digital Natives
High literacy
IDI going up for past 2
years
We have the momentum
How
Policy MakersPolicy Direction and LegislationPrivacy and SecurityBuild infrastructureEnsure access to technologyEncourage InnovationDevelop Human CapitalEnsure affordability
BusinessesStrengthen and renew core capabilities to prosper inan all-digital world. Develop deep analytic skills - as segments get smaller -Its now 1 to 1.Ensure investments are clearly aligned with consumer shifts. Behaviour shifts - for many big TMT players, if you can’t connect with Millennials, you’llprobably be out of business in ten years.
Implement the ICT Policy that
has been in the Offing for long
What Are the players Doing
Lowered the cost of Sim Cards
Internet penetration rates in Zimbabwe have moved from 0.4% in 2000 to 35% in 2013 (Potraz)
Telecel has increased 2G & 3G coverage throughout Zimbabwe• 2G Population
coverage of 87% still growing
• 3G Population coverage of 52% still growing
Providing 3G enabled handsets on credit
Reduced pricing of USB modems to the level of subsidising customers.
What Opportunities are there1. Health – Reducing infant mortality & the personal health attendant
2. Air Travel – Self Check in
3. Inner City Public Transport – Swipe and Board (new business Model)
What Opportunities are thereE-Government – Pensioners Case study
Tourism – Use of Bank cards for hotel Check Booking.
Agriculture – The milking Parlor
What Opportunities are there
Mobile Financial Services for the
unbanked.
The social front
The digital era is here Children born in this era are the “millennials”
Cyber Vicesto
Cyber parenting skills
The unregulated journalist“Breaking: Two explosions
in the White House and Barack Obama is injured”.
Impact on Dow Jones
Thank You