The Challenge
The internet is a pervasive, fundamental part of daily life that continues to deliver massive economic and social benefits around the world. Yet some 3.9 billion people – more than 52% of the world’s population – are still not online.
Although much progress has been made in closing the digital divide, the challenge remains huge, complex and multidimensional. It requires a collaborative, multistakeholder approach to overcome four key barriers to internet inclusion: infrastructure; affordability; skills, awareness and cultural acceptance; and relevant content.
Importantly, the internet is also the fundamental enabler of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The industries enabled by the Fourth Industrial Revolution are likely to reshape the global economy, creating immense opportunities for those able to develop them.
The Internet for All Initiative
Internet for All establishes and facilitates physical and digital platforms at the global, regional and national level, that will create millions of new internet users, with a focus on the hardest to reach. It brings together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, non-profits, academia, international organizations, donors and civil society to create multistakeholder partnerships.
Accomplishments to Date
Since its launch, the Internet for All project made significant strides in establishing country-level platforms and global working groups, and achieving on-the-ground results.
This White Paper is the end result of a year-long effort that began with a raised hand and simple question. At an Internet for All workshop during the World Economic Forum on Africa in Ki...
The internet has become a pervasive and fundamental part of daily life. Its impact on both economic development and solving problems in areas such as health, education, basic financial se...
Forty-eight percent of South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 are unemployed. Closing the digital divide is an essential step to helping them find jobs.
The digital divide is preventing more than 55% of the world’s population from getting online.
The one thing I love most about my job is the countless brilliant, inspirational people I invariably get to meet when I am in Africa. As you can imagine, they are a diverse bunch: the Rwa...
With the UN’s SDG goal to “significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least develo...
