Home to the youngest population on the planet, 70 percent of whom are under age 30, Africa has one of the fastest-growing Internet penetration rates in the world. Internet connectivity is growing by leaps and bounds – from 1.2 percent in 2000 to 43 percent in 2021 – driven by a digitally savvy, young, and educated urban workforce for whom adopting and using online services is second nature.
Launched on 01 December 2022, The Coalition for Digital Africa is an initiative that aims to bring together stakeholders to expand the Internet in Africa.
The Coalition promotes innovation and encourages entrepreneurial efforts aimed at strengthening Internet infrastructure to support the development of Africa’s digital economy. The Coalition for Digital Africa will create affinity among Internet access providers, content providers, public and private sector actors, and others to enable an Internet that is useful and empowering for people across Africa By working together, pooling resources, and helping each stakeholder develop specific capacities, the benefits provided through each initiative will be maximized.
The Coalition for Digital Africa has Three focus area: A Robust Domain Name System (DNS) Infrastructure in Africa: Securing the stability of the DNS, thereby strengthening the Internet infrastructure in Africa and enhancing its security and resiliency. Capacity Development: Equipping Africa’s workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in the multistakeholder model of Internet governance. Meaningful Connectivity: Fostering multilingualism and encouraging local content development in Africa. By working together, pooling resources, and helping each stakeholder develop specific capacities, the benefits provided through each initiative will be maximized. The Coalition for Digital Africa has a set of Guiding Principles. This set of principles seeks to define the shared goals for participants in the Coalition for Digital Africa, that, when practiced, will foster clear and effective implementation. The end goal is, ultimately, to ensure that the Internet continues to grow safely in Africa, in a stable manner, to bring communities, cultures, and economies together.
This session will showcase the impact of projects under the Coalition for Digital Africa.
