Bridging the Digital Gender Divide in Africa: Empowering Girls for the Digital AgeIn today’s digital era, access to technology is not just a convenience it is a lifeline to education, career opportunities, and social empowerment. Yet, across Africa, millions of girls remain excluded from this digital revolution. Despite rapid growth in Africa’s digital economy, with projections that 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, the gender gap in access and skills persists. Recent studies show that 46% of men in Africa use the internet compared to just 34% of women, , while in many low-income countries, an alarming 90% of adolescent girls remain offline, compared with 78% of boys. This imbalance not only limits girls’ ability to learn and thrive but also threatens to widen inequalities in education and employment as the region moves further into a digital future.  Why Digital Access for Girls in Africa MattersIn Africa today, the power of digitalisation cannot be overstated, it’s a key driver of education, equity, and economic progress. Yet, the continent’s digital transformation is leaving too many girls behind. In 2021, UN Women reported that 3.7 billion people lacked internet access, and that over half of them were women reflecting a broader, ongoing global digital gender divide. This digital exclusion has profound implications. Without reliable internet or connected devices, girls miss out on online learning, STEM education, and remote work opportunities all of which are essential for social mobility and economic empowerment. Barriers Hindering Digital Inclusion1. Economic HurdlesHigh costs continue to block digital access for many girls and women. A Cherie Blair Foundation report revealed that 45% of women entrepreneurs in developing countries lack regular internet access due to expense and poor connectivity, despite 92% owning smartphones. These economic constraints limit their capacity to learn, earn, and engage online meaningfully. 2. Infrastructure Gaps and Connectivity ChallengesMany African regions still face unreliable or absent internet access. Mobile broadband the main pathway to connectivity reaches only 27% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa, the lowest penetration rate globally. Even as coverage improves, gender disparities persist: women in the region are still 29% less likely than men to use mobile internet, leaving more than 200 million women unconnected. 3. Social Norms and Cultural ConstraintsIn many communities, entrenched gender norms restrict girls’ access to technology, often controlling their access to devices or framing internet use as risky or inappropriate. A UNESCO-led study found that beyond infrastructure, cultural expectations around safety, mobility, and acceptable feminine roles frequently restrict girls’ digital engagement. Watch: The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 - GSMA Highlights Source: GSMA This video from GSMA explores the persistent gender gap in mobile internet access across Africa, spotlighting the economic, infrastructural, and social barriers that keep millions of women offline. Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Girls in AfricaAcross Africa, the digital divide has long limited opportunities for young women and girls. Today, however, a wave of initiatives is changing that story by combining technology access, education, and advocacy to create real impact. 1. Building Digital LiteracySource: Global Perspectives Initiative From coding boot camps to computer literacy workshops, organizations are equipping girls with the skills they need to thrive in tech-driven industries. Online education platforms are also opening doors, preparing a new generation of women to lead in STEM fields and beyond. 2. Expanding Access Through Affordable DevicesSource: Mastercard Foundation Tech companies and non-profits are joining forces to make smartphones, laptops, and tablets more affordable. For many girls, owning a device is the first step toward online learning, digital entrepreneurship, and participation in the global digital economy. 3. Inspiring Success StoriesReal-world examples highlight the transformative power of digital access:
Together, these efforts are not only narrowing the digital divide but also redefining what’s possible for women in Africa’s digital future. The Future – Closing the Gender Digital Gap in AfricaAfrica’s digital future is growing fast, with over 615 million internet users projected by 2025. But millions of girls are still being left behind. While 52 African governments have pledged to improve girls' digital access, fewer than 30 have implemented national strategies that truly prioritise girls' inclusion in tech and education. Why It MattersWithout access to the internet and digital education, girls lose out on learning, career opportunities, and the chance to become future leaders. Here’s what needs to change:
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Accessing Technology to improve girls’ education in AfricaIn this day and age, technology is paramount to the education of young girls, especially in Africa. Gambian girls in particular face many barriers to their education, and unfortunately, the lack of access to technology is an additional log on the metaphorical fire. In general, technology is not widely available in Gambian schools due to lack of provision and poverty- families who cannot afford food will not prioritise technology. And even in cases where technology is available, young girls are not being given access: in sub-Saharan Africa, 45% less women have access to technology than men. Myths Surrounding Girls Access To STEMFurthermore, dangerous myths surround Gambian girls, propagating these issues. Some believe that females are less capable of using technology than men, and that technical positions such as STEM careers are not suitable for women at all- this is absolutely incorrect. In fact, it is antiquated myths like these that are widening the gender gap and pushing Gambian girls further behind their international and male peers. As a result, we must work harder to ensure that these girls have every chance to thrive. They are already capable, determined and intelligent- and they have every right to achieve success. Especially in today’s day and age, information technology is vital, and if these girls are to receive a modern education they must have the necessary equipment. Solution for Girls Access to Technology In AfricaUnsurprisingly, the lack of computer education is hugely limiting: it sets a huge disadvantage, barring children from a host of different career paths and a brighter future. In particular, technology gives young girls access to endless information, communication and opportunity. Yet, less than 30% of ICT professionals are female, which is shocking when you consider that the future is being constructed around computers. And implications do not just affect women- a research study found that the comprehensive adoption of ICT would have a huge impact on socio-economic development and change in many aspects of African society. In order to fight this, we must act now. Young girls in the Gambia need access to technology in order to stand a chance, starting elementary level: and we cannot do this without our donors . Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you, or your organisation, could be of assistance in providing our girls with technology- the difference a laptop makes is astronomical to a young girl in Africa. Finally, we would like to thank our donor Kuben videregående skole for providing some of our girls with laptops already. Kuben, like us, see education as a human right, and are helping to educate the future and lift the barriers preventing every child from receiving a vital education. |
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