Internet Use In Africa Is Rare, But Growing

-T.T. Nhu: June 13, 2001

While computer use on the world's least-developed continent remains rare, a recent rash of Internet cafes and service providers have emerged, sometimes using clever wireless and satellite technologies to skirt moribund government phone monopolies.

Only one out of every 250 Africans is an Internet user -- compared to a world average of one in 35 people, or one of three in North America and Europe, according to a study by South African Internet consultant Mike Jensen. Mr. Jensen estimates the legions of computer-users are growing by as much as 20% a month. Government regulations and lack of bandwidth are the major obstacles to the growth in information technology.

Only 15 out of 51 countries are capable of transmitting data overseas at the modest broadband rate of 1 megabit per second, a data speed common for a single small business in the developed world.