IGF 2024 Open Forum #43 Community Network in Rural Education, Health & Agriculture

Rural areas have long been deprived of the advancements in telecommunication and technology that their urban counterparts have benefitted from. However, with the growing need for connectivity, it is imperative to explore rural community network and electricity strategies that can unlock opportunities and drive rural development in Africa.

The Internet has become an indispensable aspect of daily life. It gives people access to communication, education, entertainment, and information. Not everyone, especially those who reside in remote areas, can access the Internet. Rural populations may suffer greatly from a lack of internet access, as they may have less access to vital services like healthcare, agriculture and extension services, employment prospects, and education.

Education in the modern world is impossible without the internet and access to it is especially vital for raising educational standards in remote areas. The absence of Internet connectivity causes rural dwellers and students to lose out on important educational resources. Also, because of lack of access to high-quality educational resources, pupils in rural communities generally do less than their peers in cities. Rural communities can create equal chances for their kids and match their educational experiences with those of larger places by offering sustainable internet connectivity and electricity.

Healthcare also depends on internet access. Because there aren't many hospitals or medical personnel in small towns, patients in these places might only have restricted access to healthcare services. Telemedicine, or the provision of healthcare services via technology, can aid in bridging this divide, nevertheless. By using internet resources like video conferencing, telemedicine enables medical professionals to diagnose, treat, and consult with patients who live in remote places. This is especially beneficial for individuals who reside distant from medical facilities or for those who have chronic conditions that need continuing treatment. Internet Access is more important than ever during emergencies and disasters. Communication between rural individuals and emergency services can be facilitated by the internet. Additionally, it has the potential to swiftly and effectively spread vital information, perhaps saving lives within the rural communities in Africa.

Internet connectivity is critical for Agriculture and job opportunities in rural and urban poor communities. In today’s globalized economy, many jobs mostly within the agriculture sector require good internet connectivity. By providing sustainable internet access, farming communities in the rural areas can attract businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking for affordable locations to set up their operations. This can lead to an increase in sustainable job opportunities and economic growth in rural communities in Africa.

We cannot emphasise how crucial internet connectivity is to rural communities in Africa. It is necessary for economy and employment prospects, healthcare, education, agriculture extension and services and disaster and emergency situations in the rural communities. Compared to their urban and city counterparts, rural populations face a considerable disadvantage if they lack internet connectivity. For remote populations to have access to high-speed internet, programmes and infrastructure must be funded by both public and commercial entities. By doing this, we can guarantee that everyone has access to the tools they require to prosper in the twenty-first century and contribute meaningfully to closing the digital divide.

In this context, the Africa Community Internet Program (ACIP) seek to bring together key stakeholders (Health, education, technical, agriculture, financial, government etc) across Africa and the world to discuss the importance of community networks and electricity in rural communities in Africa.


In order to enhance the IGF-layout hybrid format, we intend to incorporate more social media channels into the session.
The agenda for the session will be set up to encourage the greatest amount of audience participation and interaction, both in-person and virtually.