Rural telephoning and impact on digital economy in Africa

Rural telephoning will play a crucial role in shaping the digital economy in Africa. Currently we have over 800 million people who are not connected to the internet in Africa. Most of the rural communities are not connected because of the challenges of deploying infrastructures in these communities and also because the business case does not make sense for the operators to invest in these communities. All over the world services are being moved online, e-commerce, education, health and government services. For Africa to get the full benefit of the digital economy, we need to do more in the deployment of rural telephony.

Below is an overview of the impact of rural telephoning on the digital economy.

1. Enhanced connectivity: Improved telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas will connect communities to urban centres, supporting communication and access to information. This will help in keeping rural communities connected with the rest of the world.

2. E-Governance: Telephony can improve citizen engagement with government services, increasing transparency and accountability. This will provide a seamless channel to access government services such as tax payment, birth registration, death registration, company registration, health services, voting, property registration, land certificates, etc.

3. Social impact: Enhanced communication fosters social ties, community development, and access to educational resources, contributing to overall social capital. The Internet provides means by which people can access several channels for information dissemination and entertainment.

4. Agricultural innovation: Farmers can receive timely weather updates, market prices, security information, and agricultural advice via mobile apps, enhancing productivity and income. Government and farmer cooperatives can reach out to farmers to provide information (farm inputs) and even off-take their products.

5. Access to services: Mobile phones facilitate access to essential services such as education, healthcare, entertainment, and government services. This can improve quality of life and foster economic growth. Irembo in Rwanda is a good example for us in Africa. Today in Rwanda, people can access government services even from the remotest part of the country.

6. Entrepreneurship and business development: Rural telephony enables local entrepreneurs to reach broader markets, access mobile payment systems, and promote their products, boosting business opportunities. Entrepreneurs in rural communities can promote and sell their products without any geographical restriction.

7. Financial inclusion: Mobile banking and payment systems help integrate rural populations into the financial system, allowing them to invest, save, and manage their finances more effectively. This has provided opportunities for a lot of unbanked communities and populations; just with a mobile number, people can operate bank accounts.

In summary, rural telephoning serves as a transformative force for economic development in Africa, bridging the digital divide and unlocking new opportunities for underserved communities. By improving access to information, essential services, and broader markets, it enhances financial inclusion, facilitates education, and fosters entrepreneurship, ultimately driving socio-economic growth.

However, realising the full potential of rural telecommunication requires sustained investment in infrastructure, innovative policies, and partnerships between governments, private sector players, and development agencies.

Additionally, affordability and digital literacy must be prioritised to ensure that rural populations can effectively leverage these technologies. Moving forward, a strategic and inclusive approach to expanding rural telephony will be key to fostering long-term economic resilience, reducing inequalities, and positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

Engr. Makinwa ADETORO (MBA, MSc, B.Tech) is a Senior Business Development Manager, West, Central and Central Africa, Baicells Technology Limited.