Bridging the digital divide

Information and communications technologies in Africa

Any method or tool for enhancing communication or creating and sharing information is a form of information and communications technology (ICT). 

In communities where Plan works traditional ICTs include storytelling, village meetings, music and song. But in the 21st century access to more modern ICTs such as radio, internet and telecoms are increasingly seen as a vital element in tackling poverty.

Recent research, from the International Telecommunication Union shows African literacy levels are increasing, radio is expanding rapidly and many poor people across the continent are demonstrating great determination and ingenuity to access mobile phone networks.

However, over 400,000 African villages still have no modern communications connections. The continent accounts for 13% of the world's population yet it has less than 4% of all fixed and mobile phone subscribers with internet penetration of around 3%.

Plan and ICT

Plan recognises that ICT has the potential to significantly improve the lives of children and adults, in communities where we work, in a number of key areas such as:

• developing key skills and enhancing opportunities for trading,
• connecting distant family members and adjoining communities,
• motivating and inspiring young people and broadening their horizons.

Plan aims to:

• integrate ICT appropriately in our child-centred development programmes,
• put the needs of children and families in communities first and working with them,
• identify what will make most difference to their circumstances as well as what needs to happen to ensure new innovations can be sustained and taken forward in the future.

Beyond our work in poor communities we seek to engage with governments and technology providers, both independently and jointly with other NGOs, to influence the policies, product development and service provision that will affect the changing digital landscape in Africa over the years to come.

Find out more

ICT in Africa
Download Plan's recent paper on our approach to using information and communication technologies in Eastern and Southern African communities. 

Kenya connections
In Tharaka, a remote district in Kenya, there are many challenges for local people to use communications technologies in the fight against poverty. Lorraine Williams from Plan UK, recently visited the area to assess the situation

Take Action

Schools interested in participating in Plan linking project, please visit our Plan schools linking microsite