Giga Joins Forces with Smart Africa & ECA to Bridge Africa’s Digital Divide
Giga partners with Smart Africa and ECA to expand school internet access, fostering digital learning and economic opportunities for Africa’s youth.
Giga has signed agreements with both Smart Africa and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to help close the digital divide in education for the benefit of school children across Africa.
Giga, a partnership between UNICEF and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to connect all schools to the internet by 2030, said the two collaborations will provide valuable opportunities to bring the benefits of the digital revolution to all children, improving their educational results and economic opportunities.
The agreements build on the work and collective strengths of these important entities to reduce the gap in digital access across the African continent and foster sustainable, resilient, high quality school connectivity. This type of cooperation is integral in tackling the connectivity challenge, to deliver on Giga’s 2030 goal, and supports achievement of objectives of the Global Digital Compact agreed at the last year’s UN Summit of the Future.
– Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU
The potential impact for children that would materialize from Giga’s collaboration with Smart Africa and ECA is exciting and hugely promising. Together, we can equip a generation of learners with the digital skills, tools and expertise they need to engage in a technologically advanced world.
– Thomas Davin, Director, UNICEF Office of Innovation
The two agreements recognise the benefit of working together to reduce the gap in digital access, especially by supporting the use of digital technology in education to enhance learning outcomes for children and young people who constitute the largest group of online users in Africa, with 53 per cent of 15-24 year olds online, versus 34 per cent for the rest of the population, according to ITU’s Facts and Figures 2024.
Turning this demographic trend into a demographic dividend requires proactive and urgent measures to bridge educational attainment gaps. By providing high speed internet access to every school we aim to create the foundation for an educational revolution.
– Claver Gatete, Under-Secretary-General and ECA’s Executive Secretary, UN
Our collaboration with UNICEF and ITU on Giga reflects Smart Africa’s firm commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital era. This initiative is more than just providing internet access; it is about creating opportunities for children to engage, learn, and innovate. Together and with our member states, we are laying the foundation for a future where every child has the chance to reach their full potential through digital empowerment irrespective of their location in Africa.
– Lacina Koné, Director-General, Smart Africa
Collaboration for impact
The two signings come as part of Giga’s broader push to partner with more entities across the African continent, after a market assessment on connectivity solutions for schools underscored the urgent need for governments and industry suppliers to collaborate.
The three-year agreements are expected to ease market access for African governments to a broader range of sustainable, affordable, high-speed and high-quality internet options. They will also include policy and regulatory advice.
