Internet Affordability

Three Days of Digital Rights at #FIFAfrica20! Two Day Down, One to Go!

#FIFAfrica20 |

Day two of the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2020 (FIFAfrica20) has wound down, with yet more engagement, experience sharing, skills building, assembly of thought leadership, insights and opinions on digital rights from across the continent and beyond.

The third and final day will be just as inspiring, kicking off with a dialogue on internet accessibility for persons with disability…

Covid-19: How Civic Techies Are Stepping Up To Aid The Fight In Africa

By Melissa Zisengwe |

The outbreak of the Covid-19pandemic has seen a number of African civic tech initiatives support efforts to help citizens, governments, businesses and communities respond to the global health crisis that is affecting every part of our lives. Civic tech has enabled government, citizens and companies to track and slow the spread of Covid-19across different African countries.

According to…

Africans Pay More for Internet Access Due To a Lack of Competition in Local Markets

Africa News Update |
Africans are still paying way too much for their internet access due to a myriad of challenges including infrastructure investment and weak competitive environments in local markets.
Getting all Africans online by 2030 will require around $100 billion in investment with a majority of that sum pegged for infrastructure-based spending. But most African countries do not currently have policy environments…

Uganda’s Social Media Tax Threatens Internet Access, Affordability

By Juliet Nanfuka |

Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni has directed the finance ministry to introduce taxes on the use of social media platforms. According to him, the tax would curb gossip on networks such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber and Twitter and potentially raise up to Uganda Shillings (UGX) 400 billion (USD 108 million) annually for the national treasury. The ministry has already proposed amendments…