4 Ways to Bridge the Digital Divide Through Entrepreneurship and Technology

South Africa is one the most unequal countries in the world. It is 2022 and South Africans are still experiencing inequality and one of those inequalities is digital divide. 

What is digital divide? Digital divide is the gap that exists between those that have access to more information such as the internet and digital equipment such as cellphones and computers. Digital access plays a huge part of our lives whether we have access to the internet or not. If you were to go to home affairs to apply for an identity document or to retrieve any of your personal information/documents, they would need to use digital equipment and the internet to access that information. There are different types of digital divide and they each have a different effect on individuals. 

It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the digital divide. The digital divide is a pandemic on its own. Technology plays an important role today. It can assist people in communicating, accessing information online, educating themselves and creating new opportunities for themselves and others in business and other fields. In this context, technology can be used to empower people and help to bridge the digital divide. 

According to author, Adrian Victor Pias these are the 4 key mechanisms that can bridge the digital divide and the opportunities and challenges that are associated with them.  

1. Cost effective technical solutions.

The solutions to bridging the digital divide are, at their core, technical. It is critical that these solutions (models) be developed to be as cost effective as possible so that they can be accessible to people from low socio-economic backgrounds. Wireless technologies such as smartphones, laptops, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are some of the most promising technical approaches for the digital divide. On the other hand, continuous innovation, is required not only to lower the cost of access but also to create job opportunities.

2. Strategy, policy, and regulations.

Countries that are facing the digital divide are often also facing corruption.  That is why South Africa needs to have a digital strategy, policy, and regulatory framework that ensures that technology is implemented for the benefit of the people. For that to work and be meaningful, people need to value technology as a way of meeting their needs.

3. Long term investment philosophy and innovative business models.

Innovative business models and affordable strategies are required to create market conditions that enable technology expansions in areas that are affected by the digital divide in South Africa. This is where entrepreneurship can come in. 

4. Partnerships and supporting infrastructure.

Partnerships and supporting structures can plant the seeds that boost confidence and empowerment in people from the level that they're on. For partnerships and supporting infrastructures to work and be meaningful, people need to value technology as a way of meeting their needs. A partnership between a community and a private business enterprise is one such arrangement that recognizes services that are beneficial to the local community. For example, at Propella we have outreach programs for upskilling youth through coding and entrepreneurship programs as well as introducing them to new technologies. The goal is to bridge the gap between township communities and their access to technology.

There's no question that bridging the digital divide is lined with obstacles. To pave the way for a more equal future where there is less digital inequality, every sector of society will be required to work together. If you have access to read this blog, then you are probably not too affected by the digital divide but that doesn't mean those around you aren't.  

We're playing our part through our makerspace workshops -find out more about them by viewing our calendar. 

Do your part and share this with people you think might benefit.