Africa’s Youth Are Online, but Locked Out of the Digital Economy’s Real Value

Africa’s Youth Are Online, but Locked Out of the Digital Economy’s Real Value

By 2024, only 38% of Africa’s population was online, according to the International Telecommunication Union–far below the global average of 68%. For a continent often described as digital-first, this gap exposes deeper structural barriers that continue to limit access, opportunity, and meaningful economic participation, particularly for its youth. Africa’s digital economy is frequently framed as…

Read More
Africa’s Youth Are Online, but Locked Out of the Digital Economy’s Real Value

Africa: Millions of Africans Locked Out of Services As Biometric Digital IDs Raise Privacy and Access Concerns

Nairobi — Millions of Africans are unable to access essential services, including healthcare, education, social protection payments, and voting, as new biometric digital-ID systems continue to be imposed across the continent, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) warns. The systems require citizens to provide personal and biometric information, with limited safeguards…

Read More