{"id":838571,"date":"2025-10-01T08:48:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T06:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=838571"},"modified":"2025-10-01T08:48:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T06:48:40","slug":"b20-and-bridging-south-africas-digital-divide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/industry-news\/838571\/b20-and-bridging-south-africas-digital-divide\/","title":{"rendered":"B20 and Bridging South Africa\u2019s Digital Divide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>By Arun Varughese, Head of TMT (Telecoms, Media &amp; Technology) at RMB<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s G20 presidency has sparked a bold mission through the B20 Digital Transformation Task Force: crafting a roadmap for inclusive digital growth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a member of the B20 Digital Transformation Task Force, we see the regulatory framework as a key to propel economic growth through inclusive digital strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmb.co.za\/sponsorships-and-events\/shaping-our-global-future?utm_source=businesstech&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=b20&amp;utm_content=arun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">For more information about RMB, click here.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The B20 task force policy paper includes recommendations, policy actions, KPIs, and case studies to guide G20 nations in implementing impactful digital policies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stakes are high.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over 2.6 billion people\u2014mostly in developing regions\u2014remain offline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Telecommunication Union reports 83% internet penetration in urban areas but only 48% in rural ones, with 96% of offline individuals in developing countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The World Economic Forum\u2019s Future of Jobs Report warns that 39% of job skills will shift by 2030, yet 11% of workers may lack training to adapt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Misaligned AI governance fuels ethical and trust issues, while digital public infrastructure could be a game-changer if governments prioritize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Africa\u2019s connectivity gap\u2014high data costs and unconnected populations\u2014drives inequality. The B20\u2019s recommendations offer a clear path forward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Universal Connectivity: Treat access as a human right, expanding affordable, reliable digital infrastructure, especially in underserved areas. \u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Literacy: Bolster national systems to equip workers with skills for future job markets. \u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ethical AI Governance: Align globally on accountable AI frameworks to ensure ethical development. \u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Public Infrastructure: Foster secure ecosystems to spur private-sector innovation. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These steps aren\u2019t just for Africa\u2014they\u2019re a blueprint for South Africa\u2019s digital leap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">South Africa\u2019s Telecom Transformation&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s urban telecom scene shines, with fibre infrastructure rivaling global leaders, backed by robust national and undersea cables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the real challenge lies in the last mile\u2014rural areas and lower-income markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the next three to five years, innovative models like prepaid fibre from Vumatel, Octotel, and Fibretime are set to disrupt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Township residents can now access unlimited fibre for mere rands daily, a stark contrast to pricey suburban subscriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digital access is becoming a lifeline, bridging gaps in education, healthcare, and e-commerce. Lower data costs and affordable smartphones are also key enablers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While urban solutions don\u2019t fit townships, flexible pricing and consumer-centric approaches are driving uptake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa could lead Africa, where high data costs and offline populations persist, by scaling these innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI: The Next Frontier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since ChatGPT\u2019s debut in November 2022, AI has reshaped industries by August 2025. South Africa\u2019s draft AI policy is a start, but it must evolve fast.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three pillars can propel progress: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Policy: A globally aligned framework to foster innovation and trust. \u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capital: Leverage local data for tailored AI applications, with government incentives like tax breaks to spur investment. \u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talent: Reform curricula in TVET colleges and universities to produce AI specialists, drawing from examples set by Singapore\u2019s 1 000+ AI courses or Italy\u2019s training of 8 000+ schools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Affordability remains a hurdle\u2014devices and data must be cheap. Public-private partnerships, like zero-rating educational sites, can ensure free access to learning resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Bright Future &nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa\u2019s digital potential is electric. With mergers fueling infrastructure, AI policies maturing, and literacy initiatives growing, the nation can close its digital divide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn\u2019t just about faster internet\u2014it\u2019s about empowering millions, boosting GDP, and securing a competitive edge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The time for bold investment and inclusive policies is now. Let\u2019s seize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmb.co.za\/sponsorships-and-events\/shaping-our-global-future?utm_source=businesstech&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=b20&amp;utm_content=arun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">For more information about RMB, click here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa\u2019s G20 presidency has sparked a bold mission through the B20 Digital Transformation Task Force: crafting a roadmap for inclusive digital growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":838572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10459],"tags":[23704,7185,2214],"class_list":["post-838571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-news","tag-b20","tag-g20","tag-rmb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838571"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":838749,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838571\/revisions\/838749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/838572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}