The global Internet continues to grow at an exponential rate, bringing with it new ways of transacting, communicating, learning, socializing, and transforming pretty much any activity of daily life. Despite a slow start, the use of the Internet in Africa is now rapidly accelerating, and the connectivity has a positive impact.

There are dramatic gains by internet usage for the youth of Africa, as they will be able to gain more insight and information through education, news, politics, and entertainment. Like any good medicine, there is also some side effect. With the rapid growth in internet connectivity, there is more chance for fake news to spread, resulting in mob lynching or violent demonstrations by anti-national elements. However, the positives of internet connectivity outweigh the negative impact. Hence, the survey and studies show that Africa has seen the growth of Internet connectivity as a good influence on the country.

Imagine, a couple of decades back, the only source of information was the library or state-run TV News or Radio. Since the government started controlling TV and radio, the news was always biased. However, with Internet connectivity, there is 24x7 breaking news. Viewers would like to watch the real-time news and be informed. Social Media provides a wide variety of information.

With the click of a button, users can get information related to many topics, shop online, hire a cab, make bookings for hotel and travel, place orders on food, take online tests and tuitions, make payments, etc. A host of new businesses have developed through broadband internet in Africa, have given job opportunities to the youth in plenty, and have created an impact on the growth of the economy.

Specific businesses that play critical roles in the Internet economy can be clustered into several groups, including:

·     Internet service providers (ISPs) and cybercafés

·     Businesses that supply access devices such as handsets

·     Businesses that provide content for web browsers, social media, advertising, entertainment, and newspaper groups

·     Internet registrars (which sell domain names)

·     web and application designers (including designers of mobile apps)

·     data center businesses

E-Governance has brought transparency for government projects and initiatives. Tenders and vendors are evaluated and selected based on e-auction, again brings transparency and helps the government in saving multi-million dollars.

Telemedicine is one more opportunity, which connects patients with expert doctors who can prescribe medicines from different parts of the world. Patients can avail of the services of the best doctors and medical facilities online.

Similarly, students are no longer limited by the constraints of school, their thirst for knowledge can be quenched by a large number of online study videos, online exercises, tutorials and tests available on the internet. Best of study material and teachers are available and accessible for the students with good intent and the internet. VSAT internet in Africa has changed the face of communication in the continent.

The Internet has great potential to transform societies, with benefits for education, health, agriculture, transportation, governance, culture, business, and economy. But, a certain threshold of Internet development – including penetration, access, awareness, and human capacity – is required before countries and regions can realize the Internet’s full transformative potential. After a slow start, the Internet in Africa is now rapidly improving and developing. Much has been achieved, yet much more remains to be done.