2 weeks Ago By Roger A. Agana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A. Agana, https://newsghana.com.
gh/zambias-digital-divide-widens-as-internet-costs-soar-global-index-shows/Zambia’s digital wellbeing has deteriorated sharply over the past year, with internet affordability emerging as its most pressing challenge, according to the 2024 Digital Quality of Life Index by cybersecurity firm Surfshark.The country now ranks 107th out of 121 nations surveyed, falling five spots from 2023 and trailing regional peers like Angola (91st) while narrowly outperforming Zimbabwe (115th).The report, which evaluates digital welfare across five pillars internet quality, affordability, e-security, e-infrastructure, and e-government reveals systemic gaps undermining Zambia’s technological progress.
Despite marginal gains in mobile and fixed broadband speeds, citizens face among the highest connectivity costs relative to income globally. Zambians must work 12 hours and 22 minutes monthly to afford fixed broadband, 47 times longer than residents of Bulgaria, where 14 minutes of labor covers the same service. Mobile data, while cheaper at 1 hour and 24 minutes of work per month, remains six times costlier than in Angola.
“In an election year like 2024, where digital platforms shape political discourse, prioritizing digital quality of life is critical for informed citizenship and democratic resilience,” said Surfshark Chief Security Officer Tomas Stamulis. The findings arrive amid Zambia’s protracted economic strains, with inflation averaging 12.3% in 2024 and youth unemployment near 19%.
Zambia’s internet quality ranks 116th globally, with fixed broadband averaging 33Mbps less than a tenth of Singapore’s leading 347Mbps. Mobile speeds, though improved by 61% year-on-year to 38Mbps, lag behind global leaders like the UAE (430Mbps). Just 31% of Zambians have internet access, placing the country 115th in penetration rates.
E-government services, crucial for reducing bureaucracy and corruption, also falter at 103rd worldwide. While Zambia introduced data protection laws in 2023, its cybercrime preparedness remains weak, contributing to a three-place drop in e-security rankings to 74th. Network readiness a measure of technological adaptability trails at 111th, reflecting limited ICT investment despite government pledges to digitize public services.
Zambia’s struggles mirror broader African digital disparities. The continent claims 18 of the index’s bottom 20 spots, with only Mauritius (66th) and South Africa (72nd) breaking into the top half globally. Neighboring Angola, though higher ranked, still requires citizens to work 16 hours monthly for fixed broadband a stark contrast to European affordability.
Analysts link Zambia’s backslide to inconsistent policy execution and competing fiscal priorities. “Digital infrastructure requires sustained investment, not ad-hoc projects,” noted tech economist Dr. Mwila Chibwe.
“Without subsidized access and skills training, rural communities risk permanent exclusion.”The report underscores the correlation between advanced e-government systems and national cyber resilience, urging Lusaka to prioritize AI readiness and broadband expansion. With 65% of Zambians under 25, advocates argue affordable connectivity is vital for unlocking youth potential in sectors like agritech and fintech.
As global digital economies accelerate, Zambia’s trajectory highlights the urgent need for cohesive strategies balancing fiscal constraints with technological imperatives. Without rapid intervention, the nation risks cementing its status as a digital hinterland in an increasingly interconnected world. News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A.
Agana, https://newsghana.com.gh/zambias-digital-divide-widens-as-internet-costs-soar-global-index-shows/.
