A Leap from Digital Divide to Digital Opportunities Octavius Kahiya

Scope of divide Access Use Knowledge of ICT Inequality in terms of: 30 % of Americans do not have broadband at home (Pew internet and American Life Project Survey) 0nly 35% of Zimbabweans have access to the internet (POTRAZ) Evident within same countries IDI Rankings 2013: ITU South Korea ranked # 1 in the world Niger ranked # 157, Zimbabwe ranked #115. Zimbabwe ranked top 10 of most improved. More pronounced Developed vs Developing Countries

What is the IDI? Access - captures ICT readiness Fixed-telephonyMobile telephony International Internet bandwidth Households with computers Households with Internet Use - captures ICT intensity Internet usersFixed (wired)-broadbandMobile broadband Skills - captures ICT capability Adult literacy Gross secondary enrolment Gross tertiary enrolment Composite measure of three clusters created by the UN-ITU

Computers per 100 people

Fixed Subscriptions2007*2010^2013*^ Africa0.1%0.2%0.3% Americas10.9%14.1%17.1% Arab States0.9%1.9%3.3% Asia & Pacific3.2%5.5%7.6% Commonwealth of Independent States2.3%8.2%13.5% Europe18.4%23.6%27.0% Mobile Subscriptions2007*2010^2013*^ Africa0.2%1.8%10.9% Americas6.4%22.9%48.0% Arab States0.8%5.1%18.9% Asia & Pacific3.1%7.4%22.4% Commonwealth of Independent States0.2%22.3%46.0% Europe14.7%28.7%67.5% ITU 2013

An Illustration of the digital divide “Our overall objective is to ensure universal access to the benefits of information and communication technology – including for the two-thirds of the world's population currently not on-line. A digital divide has no place in the information age and 21st century knowledge economy. The management of information and communication technology should be transparent, democratic and inclusive.“ Bin Ki Mon

Advantages of the Great Leap Forward: 1.Economic benefits of broadband for the European Commission’ there is a consensus that a 10% increase in broadband penetration results in an increase in GDP growth of between 0.9% and 1.5% 2.Engine of economic growth and development Improves education and skills Increased employment opportunity Increased efficiencies 3.Improves educational and economic prospects Harnessing ICT improves competitiveness, development, employment and well-being 4.Allows rapid dissemination of information 5.Enhances social transparency 6.Lower socio-economic groups will get an opportunity to reduce marginalisation and social exclusion Research by Analysis Mason

We can make history! Digital Natives High literacy IDI going up for past 2 years We have the momentum

How Policy Makers Policy Direction and Legislation Privacy and Security Build infrastructure Ensure access to technology Encourage Innovation Develop Human Capital Ensure affordability Businesses Strengthen and renew core capabilities to prosper in an all-digital world. Develop deep analytic skills - as segments get smaller -Its now 1 to 1. Ensure investments are clearly aligned with consumer shifts. Behaviour shifts - for many big TMT players, if you can’t connect with Millennials, you’ll probably be out of business in ten years. Implement the ICT Policy that has been in the Offing for long

What Are the players Doing Lowered the cost of Sim Cards Internet penetration rates in Zimbabwe have moved from 0.4% in 2000 to 35% in 2013 (Potraz) Telecel has increased 2G & 3G coverage throughout Zimbabwe 2G Population coverage of 87% still growing 3G Population coverage of 52% still growing Providing 3G enabled handsets on credit Reduced pricing of USB modems to the level of subsidising customers.

What Opportunities are there 1.Health – Reducing infant mortality & the personal health attendant 2.Air Travel – Self Check in 3.Inner City Public Transport – Swipe and Board (new business Model)

What Opportunities are there E-Government – Pensioners Case study Tourism – Use of Bank cards for hotel Check Booking. Agriculture – The milking Parlor

What Opportunities are there Mobile Financial Services for the unbanked.

The social front The digital era is here Children born in this era are the “millennials” Cyber Vices to Cyber parenting skills The unregulated journalist “Breaking: Two explosions in the White House and Barack Obama is injured”. Impact on Dow Jones

Effort Cohesiveness

Thank You