The Digital Divide: Who’s Still Left Behind?
In a quiet village outside Makurdi, Grace Iveren sells handmade woven mats and herbal balms.
Her business, rooted in tradition and years of craftsmanship, depends entirely on word-of-mouth.
While entrepreneurs in Lagos use Instagram ads to reach global customers, Grace still relies on
customers who pass by her front porch.
“I’ve heard of WhatsApp Business, but there’s no network here,” she says. “Sometimes we don’t
have power for three days straight.”
This is the other side of the digital revolution—the one not trending on X or posting Shopify
sales screenshots. And it’s growing.
The Two-Tier Economy: Data vs. Disconnection
Despite the hype around tech-savvy entrepreneurs scaling businesses with automation, a silent
majority remains offline. A 2023 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) found that
only 32% of rural entrepreneurs in Nigeria use any digital tool beyond a basic feature phone.
That means 7 out of 10 are left behind in the new economy.
Kingsley Onyeagusi, digital strategist puts it starkly,
“We’re heading toward a two-tier economy—those with data and digital fluency, and those
without a voice.”
The Obstacles: More Than Just Wi-Fi
The barriers are layered:
Inconsistent Electricity – In states like Taraba and Ebonyi, many communities experience less
than 6 hours of electricity daily. Charging devices becomes a luxury.
Weak or No Internet Connectivity – Several local governments remain unconnected to high-
speed broadband.
High Data Costs – According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Nigeria’s average cost of
1GB of data is 5.5% of monthly income in low-income households—far above the UN-
recommended 2%.
Digital Illiteracy – Many artisans and traders, especially older women, haven’t received any form
of digital training or exposure.
What Digital Exclusion Looks Like
In Jalingo, Yusuf Gambo repairs motorcycles. He recently tried to list his service on Google
Business Profile with the help of a friend.
“It worked for two days,” he laughs, “then I couldn’t afford the data again.”
Gambo’s story reflects a growing reality—many are aware of digital tools but lack the consistent
infrastructure to sustain usage.
The Bigger Picture: Exclusion is Expensive
The implications aren’t just personal—they’re economic. According to a 2024 World Bank
Africa Tech Report, excluding rural microbusinesses from the digital economy costs Nigeria
$9.2 billion in unrealized productivity annually.
These businesses are not just hustles—they’re the backbone of local economies. When they lag,
communities stall.
Bridging the Divide: Hope from the Ground Up
Some initiatives are beginning to change the narrative:
TechHer’s Mobile Literacy Tours – traveling digital bootcamps teaching market women how to
use WhatsApp and payment apps
MTN’s Y’ello Digital Hubs – free Wi-Fi zones with device-charging kiosks in underserved areas
Code for Africa’s Rural Broadband Project – setting up affordable mesh networks in 20
communities by 2025
State-level Initiatives – like Kaduna’s Women Tech Empowerment Scheme, providing
subsidized smartphones and basic tech training
But more is needed.
“We can’t keep talking about smart economies and 5G if half the country is struggling to charge
a phone,” Onyeagusi argues. “Tech equity must become a national priority.”
Policy-Level Solutions
Experts recommend that governments and private players:
Subsidize Data Plans for microbusinesses
Expand Solar-Powered Hubs in low-grid areas
Incentivize Telcos to penetrate deeper into rural zones
Incorporate Digital Literacy into National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and public school
curricula
Provide Micro-Grants for Tech Tools like POS devices, budget smartphones, or e-commerce
starter kits
Final Word: Inclusion is Innovation
In the rush to digitize everything, we must not mistake visibility for reach. The digital economy
cannot thrive if millions are systemically left behind.
As Grace, the mat-maker from Makurdi, puts it simply, “If I had good network and light, I’d sell
my mats to the world too.”
Her ambition is not the problem. Access is.