IGF 2025 Networking Session #192 Inclusion of Digital Literacy in Africa: A Pathway

"Inclusion of Digital Literacy in Africa: A Pathway to Empowerment and Equitable Access" 1. Introduction: In the 21st century, digital literacy has become a fundamental skill for personal, social, and economic development. In Africa, the digital divide remains a significant challenge, with many communities lacking the necessary skills and resources to fully participate in the digital economy. This proposal seeks to explore strategies for advancing digital literacy across the African continent, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic background, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital world. 2. Relevance to IGF 2025 Subthemes: This proposal aligns with the IGF 2025 subthemes, particularly: • Building Universal Access and Digital Rights: By addressing digital literacy, we focus on ensuring equitable access to digital tools and resources, promoting the right to digital education and skills for all. • Building Digital Trust and Resilience: Digital literacy is essential to fostering trust in digital spaces, ensuring users are equipped to protect themselves from online risks and participate safely in the digital economy. • Building Sustainable and Responsible Innovation: A digitally literate society is better positioned to engage with emerging technologies in a responsible and sustainable manner, creating solutions that benefit both the individual and society at large. • Building Digital Cooperation: Promoting digital literacy across Africa calls for a collaborative approach between governments, private sector actors, civil society, and educational institutions. 3. Objectives: The key objectives of this proposal are: • To Identify Barriers to Digital Literacy: Exploring the challenges in achieving widespread digital literacy in Africa, including infrastructure limitations, lack of resources, and limited teacher training. • To Discuss Best Practices and Solutions: Highlighting successful initiatives and programs that have made a significant impact in increasing digital literacy in African communities. • To Foster Partnerships for Digital Literacy Programs: Encouraging cross-sector collaboration to develop innovative and scalable solutions for digital literacy education. • To Promote Inclusivity in Digital Literacy: Ensuring that marginalized communities, women, youth, rural populations, and those with disabilities are included in digital literacy programs. 4. Key Issues and Challenges: The proposal will address several pressing issues that hinder the progress of digital literacy in Africa: • Limited Access to Infrastructure: Many African regions still struggle with inadequate internet connectivity and lack of devices, making it difficult for people to access digital learning tools. • Socio-Economic Barriers: High levels of poverty and inequality limit the ability of many Africans to afford internet access, digital devices, and formal digital education programs. • Cultural and Language Barriers: Many digital resources are in languages that are not native to many African communities, creating additional barriers for non-English or non-French speaking populations. • Gender and Age Disparities: Women and the elderly in some African countries face additional barriers to accessing and benefiting from digital tools and educational resources.

Expected Outcomes: The proposed session aims to achieve the following outcomes: • Concrete Action Plans: Participants will develop actionable strategies for advancing digital literacy in African communities, with a focus on scalability and inclusivity. • Cross-Sector Partnerships: Building new collaborations between government bodies, tech companies, international organizations, and local communities to drive digital literacy programs across the continent. • Resource Sharing: Identifying and promoting educational resources, tools, and platforms that can be leveraged to accelerate digital literacy efforts in Africa. • Recommendations for Policy Makers: Providing policy recommendations to governments on integrating digital literacy into national education curricula, especially in underserved and rural areas. 7. Target Audience: This proposal is designed for a broad audience, including: • Governments and Policymakers: Those responsible for creating policies to support digital education and infrastructure. • Private Sector Stakeholders: Technology companies and internet service providers who can contribute to digital literacy programs through access, tools, and innovation. • NGOs and Civil Society: Organizations focused on education, gender equality, and social inclusion. • Academics and Educators: Individuals involved in the development and delivery of educational programs related to digital literacy. • Youth and Community Leaders: Local influencers who can champion the cause of digital literacy in their communities.