IGF 2024 Lightning Talk #99 Implementation of the USF in 26 African countries

    Paradigm Initiative
    Bridgette Ndlovu, Paradigm Initiative, African Group
    Miriam Wanjiru, Paradigm Initiative, African Group
    Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative, IGF Leadership Panel, African Group

    Speakers

    ‘Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative/ IGF Leadership Panel, Civil Society, African Group - [email protected]

    Onsite Moderator

    Moderator: Bridgette Ndlovu, Paradigm Initiative, African Group

    Rapporteur

    Rapporteur: Miriam Wanjiru, Paradigm Initiative, African Group

    SDGs

    9.c


    Targets: The session is in line with SDG9c whose year marker for achievement lapsed in 2020 yet universal and affordable access to the internet has still not been achieved particularly in Africa where it is estimated that a paltry 40 percent of the population has access to the Internet. SDG9c focused on Access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). It sought to “significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020.” The session is also in line with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable development. The session will call for the inclusion of meaningful connectivity as a core and structural policy in the sustainable development goals to enhance already existing goals on the backdrop that in the SDGs, there are no ICT-specific targets, despite that there are at least seven ICT indicators covering six targets under Goals 4, 5, 9 and 17.

    Format

    Lightning Talk

    Duration (minutes)
    30
    Description

    The digital divide continues to stick out like a sore thumb as countries in Africa have not achieved meaningful connectivity. African countries are battling with the implementation of the Universal Service Fund coupled with lack of transparency by governments on the implementation of the USF. Paradigm Initiative launched the 2023 Londa Report which assesses 26 African countries giving insights on the implementation of the Universal Service Fund among other digital rights and inclusion issues. The report launched in April 2024, depicts a myriad of challenges that hamper the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development which seeks to achieve universal connectivity worldwide by 2030. This session will highlight which countries and how many are/are not implementing the USF, which ones have/ do not have readily accessible information on USF and which countries have not yet operationalized it. This session will seek to illuminate the challenges that hamper meaningful connectivity and highlight the need for governments and the private sector to collaborate in advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age, with a view to connecting and empowering all populations.
    2023 Londa Report Link : https://paradigmhq.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Londa-2023-1-1.pdf

    1. a) The session will utilise Tele/videoconferencing tools to ensure interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees. Online attendees and speakers will be able to see onsite speakers and attendees so that the session is engaging and interactive.
    b) The session hosts will engage with the IGF technical team to agree on the teleconferencing tools to be deployed for the session
    c) The session hosts will create time for question-and-answer sessions to allow participants to give feedback, raise concerns, or provide recommendations.
    2. The session will deploy in-session surveys using interactive online tools that allow participants to actively contribute to discussions.
    3. Zoom, Mentimeter