Turning Africa’s Digital Divide into Dividends Requires Effort

Internet penetration is creeping up in Africa, bringing the prospect of digital dividends to a continent long marked by digital divides.

“Africa has reached a penetration which has broken the barrier of 15 %, and that’s important,” says Nii Quaynor, a scientist who has played a key role in the introduction and development of the internet throughout Africa. He is known as the “father of the Internet” on the continent.

However, Africans have not developed the ability to produce enough software, applications, and tools to give economies the dividends they sorely need. Read more from Eleni Mourdoukoutas’ Digital revolution holds bright promises for Africa in the Africa Renewal. 

Ethiopia Bans Adoption of Children by Foreigners

Ethiopia has banned the adoption of children by foreigners amid concerns they face abuse and neglect abroad.

Ethiopia is one of the biggest source countries for international adoptions by US citizens, accounting for about 20 percent of the total.

Celebrities Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are among those who have adopted children from Ethiopia. Read: 

How Rwanda Plans to Grow its Export Base 

Rwanda’s exports have increased four-fold in the last decade from just $400 million in 2007 to US$1.6 billion in 2016, according to the 10th Edition of Rwanda Economic Update.

The update was produced by the World Bank back in August under the theme: Sustaining Growth by Building on Emerging Export Opportunities.

Non-traditional exports, like chili, emerged as an important driver of such growth. Agricultural products were the second largest component of nontraditional exports after minerals.

“Although Rwanda’s export sector is still small, the progress made in the past decade sends a clear message that an export-led growth is within reach for Rwanda, and country’s long-term growth strategy should continue focusing on strengthening economy’s capacity to produce exportable goods and services,” said Aghassi Mkrtchyan, World Bank Senior Economist. Read