Pan African Visions

Prohibitive Levies, Taxes Hinder Access To Internet, Digital Services In Africa-Report

April 17, 2023

By Jean-Pierre Afadhali [caption id="attachment_105769" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative capturing the moment during of the report launch ceremonies[/caption] The introduction of prohibitive levies and taxes that hinders access, exclusion of people with disabilities, women in access to digital and ICT services, press freedom violations, adoption of Artificial intelligence, evaluation of Universal Service Fund are some of the issues the latest report edition of Digital Rights and Inclusion report documents. The 2022 edition of the state of Digital Rights and Inclusion report also known as ‘Londa’ launched in Nairobi, Kenya last week focuses on a variety of issues affecting digital rights and Internet freedom on the continent. The new study also evaluates the Universal Service Fund’s existence and performance across the 24 countries under review. However, the report notes perennial gaps in access persist on the continent. People with disabilities and under-served communities face significant barriers, including a lack of accessible infrastructure, digital literacy skills, and affordability of assistive devices, states the report released by Paradigm Initiative, a pan African organisation that promotes digital rights and inclusion. “Access to digital opportunities by women and girls, including ICT education, still needs improvement. Despite progress in bridging this divide, men continue to outrank women in various indices, from the adoption and use of ICT tools to employment opportunities.”  Revealed the report launched at the end of the 2023 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum that brings together stakeholders in digital rights from around Africa. The Londa 2022 revealed that the introduction of prohibitive levies and taxes, which emerged as a common theme in the period under review, further impeded general access in Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda. According to the study, the Universal Service Fund (USF) exists in 22 of the 24 countries reported, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tunisia, Uganda, Togo, The Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Benin, South Sudan, Namibia and Botswana. However, information on the amount of funds raised, transparency, and impact varies widely among these countries. USF is expected to reduce connectivity gaps on the continent but it appears the important fund is misused in some countries amid transparency challenges. “Two countries, Angola and the Gambia do not currently have a USF. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) is Ghana’s equivalent of a USF, but information on its funding and project expenditure reports are not readily available.” Read part of the report’s summary. Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the global technology trends is growing in Africa As emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain traction, awareness and adoption are growing on the continent, noted Londa 23. The state of Digital Rights report  states: “recent developments with AI tools demonstrate not only the potential the technology possesses to accelerate socio-economic growth but also to aggravate existing inequalities.” The report adds: “This underscores the need for rights-respecting AI frameworks across all sectors. For a continent where frameworks can be an afterthought and legislation often a kneejerk reaction, playing catchup must desist. Frameworks and strategies need to be well-intentioned, adequately safeguard human rights, accommodate emerging trends and issues, and be transparently implemented.” Additionally, Londa  discusses data privacy and governance and the lack of accountability and oversight mechanisms for digital identification systems. It notes Nigeria has taken steps towards a better data protection framework by releasing a draft Data Protection Bill, improving the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation. Limited data protection laws in Africa According to Londa 2022, privacy concerns surround the newly introduced Ghana card and e-levy bill, much like its continental counterparts. Out of the 24 countries reported, only 17 have data protection legislation in place, and some have data protection bills with varying levels of progress towards implementation. While he Central African Republic has no specific data legislation and relies on provisions of existing bills, South Sudan has no data legislation or framework, notes the latest digital rights report. The study findings show that some countries that were exemplary in respect of human rights such as Ghana have regressed. Surprisingly, during the period under review, Ghana that was previously seen as a model in Africa for press freedom was reported by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to be the most repressive West African country in the first quarter of 2022, with 11 violations of press freedom recorded, followed by Nigeria with five violations; a concerning development for Ghana with a reasonably exemplary report in Londa 2021. “The Nigerian government also blocked online content and social media platforms directing media groups to stop using Twitter and threatening legal action against Nigerians who accessed the service via circumvention techniques.” States the Londa report. Londa states on July 14, 2022, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court ruled against the Nigerian government, setting precedence and contributing jurisprudence on this issue [ Online content blockage] in Africa. Similarly, Angola had challenges with Internet freedom as Internet access remained expensive, states the online human rights report. The state of digital rights report reveals “Botswana took a pro-Internet freedom stance with no credible reports of Internet disruptions, government interference or the use of digital technologies for political repression or social control, while Malawi decriminalized sedition and related offences.” The 2022 report also provides key recommendations to various stakeholders in digital rights space across the continent to address gaps and digital rights violations. The report recommends private sector to ensure that practices around content moderation and surveillance practices do not stifle diverse political views and perspectives. Similarly, it calls on private sector to resist governments’ unethical pressures to allow illegal access to personal data and digital abuse, especially blockage of Internet networks and services. “Transparently publish the quantity of state and security services surveillance requests and types of devices and tools used in monitoring citizens to advance transparency and public confidence.” Recommends the 2022 study. Londa recommends the media to “uphold professional ethics in reporting to avoid misinformation and disinformation. Ensure the protection of media practitioners by building strong coalitions and pushing against repressive laws. Provide digital security training to its members.” It urges Civil Society to encourage activism and citizenship movements using social media networks, particularly in rural areas, and take action to report violations of digital rights.  Part of recommendation reads: “Conduct more critical analyses of the impact of digital IDs in the global south and the actors involved in designing and implementing them.” Furthermore, Londa recommends Civil society to create national reference guides on digital rights strategies and collaborate with governments to promote more meaningful deliberations on digital rights related resolutions, read another recommendation to the civil society. Lastly, Londa 2022 recommends governments to uphold constitutional and international obligations and refrain from “digital authoritarianism characterized by aggressive and sophisticated measures that curtail Internet freedoms.” The commendation to states adds: review policies and regulations periodically to address new and emerging technologies, including AI, big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. Exercise caution when applying disinformation laws and prosecuting individuals. Always consider ‘intent’ and ‘harm’. “Remove barriers to Internet and mobile services access, particularly prohibitive taxes on Internet and mobile services, and poor ICT infrastructure to ensure universal access.” Read another key recommendation that could increase access to Internet and reduce digital gap in Africa.    

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