A critical analysis of internet diffusion in Africa

Abstract

The research project assesses the Global Diffusion of the Internet dimensions (GDI), determinants of the GDI in Kenya and Africa and how these dimensions and determinants affect the state of the Internet diffusion by examining the various studies conducted in various African countries (Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Togo, Ghana, Uganda, Cape Verde, South Africa and Mauritius) and performing a critical analysis of the findings in order to establish the state of the internet in Africa. The project uses an exploratory model of Internet diffusion in a country called the Global Diffusion of the internet. The model has been employed in various studies across many nations of the world. The project utilizes various studies performed in Africa as the source of information to realize its objectives. The project finds out that the Internet Diffusion in Kenya is still low and only a small section of the population has access and can afford the costs. The factors, which determine this low penetration of the Internet, have been identified and used as part of the broader objective to come up with the state of Internet diffusion in Africa. An analysis of the Internet diffusion has been carried out to determine the factors'that affect the rate at which the Internet is diffusing in Africa and why. The project lays a good foundation for future " .. cross-continent research in the field of Internet Diffusion across continents and will prove useful to various Policy Making institutions in the countries concerned.