As young Africans push to be online, data cost stands in the way

JOHANNESBURG/ACCRA: A longside the food, clothing and nappies gifted to a shelter for South African flood victims, one donation proved especially popular – a Wi-Fi router.

The router allowed the students to finish assignments, helped the unemployed find jobs and meant seamstresses could download dress patterns – tasks that had been tricky for many of them previously due to South Africa’s high internet costs.

“Accessing internet is a human right, but it is one we couldn’t afford before,” said Nozipho Sithole, a former care home worker who quit her job to help fellow victims of the devastating floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal province in April.