The internet is one of the most powerful and transformative technologies of our time, enabling access to information, education, communication, entertainment, and opportunities. However, not everyone can enjoy the benefits of the internet, as there is a significant gap between those who have access and those who do not. This gap is known as the digital divide, and it affects millions of people around the world, especially in Africa.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 28.2% of the population in Africa had access to the internet in 2019, compared to the global average of 53.6%. Moreover, only 18.6% of the households in Africa had internet access at home, compared to the global average of 57.8%. The digital divide in Africa is caused by various factors, such as:

1. Lack of infrastructure: Many parts of Africa lack the physical and digital infrastructure to support the delivery and access of internet services, such as fiber optic cables, satellites, mobile towers, routers, and servers.
2. High costs and fees: The cost of internet access and usage in Africa is often prohibitive for many low-income and rural customers, due to the high prices of devices, data plans, and subscriptions, as well as the taxes and tariffs imposed by governments and service providers.
3. Low quality and reliability: The quality and reliability of internet services in Africa are often poor and inconsistent, due to the low bandwidth, speed, and coverage, as well as the frequent interruptions, outages, and congestion.
4. Limited content and services: The content and services available on the internet in Africa are often limited and irrelevant, due to the lack of local and regional content, languages, and applications, as well as the censorship and regulation of certain content and services by governments and service providers.

The digital divide in Africa has serious implications for the social and economic development of the continent, as it limits the opportunities and potential of millions of people, especially the youth, women, and marginalized groups. The digital divide also hinders the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reducing poverty, improving health and education, promoting gender equality, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

What is Decentralized Internet?

Decentralized internet, also known as Web 3, is a new paradigm of the internet that aims to make it more open, democratic, and resilient, by leveraging technologies such as blockchain, peer-to-peer networks, and cryptography. Decentralized internet can offer many advantages over the current centralized internet, such as:

1. Greater accessibility and affordability: Decentralized internet can enable anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection to access and use the internet, regardless of their location, identity, or credit history. Decentralized internet can also reduce the costs and fees of internet access and usage, by eliminating the need for intermediaries, such as internet service providers (ISPs), platforms, and applications, and by creating more competitive and transparent pricing mechanisms.
2. Enhanced security and privacy: Decentralized internet can ensure the security and integrity of the data and transactions, by using cryptography and blockchain technology to verify and record them on a distributed ledger, without the need for a central authority or intermediary. Decentralized internet can also protect the privacy and sovereignty of the users, by allowing them to control their own data and identity, without relying on third parties or exposing their personal information.
3. Increased innovation and participation: Decentralized internet can enable users to create, exchange, and manage a variety of digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, tokens, stablecoins, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as to participate in various economic activities, such as lending, borrowing, investing, trading, and fundraising, as well as governance and decision-making processes.

How Decentralized Internet Can Bridge the Digital Divide in Africa

Decentralized internet can address some of the challenges and barriers of the digital divide in Africa, by offering the following opportunities:

1. Expanding the infrastructure and coverage: Decentralized internet can expand the infrastructure and coverage of the internet in Africa, by using peer-to-peer networks and mesh networks, which allow users to share their internet connection and bandwidth with others, without the need for centralized infrastructure or intermediaries. For example, RightMesh is a platform that enables users to create and join mesh networks, using their smartphones and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and to access and provide internet services, such as messaging, voice calls, and data transfer, as well as to earn and spend cryptocurrencies, such as RightMesh Token (RMESH).
2. Reducing the costs and fees: Decentralized internet can reduce the costs and fees of internet access and usage in Africa, by using blockchain and smart contracts, which enable users to create and execute agreements and transactions, without the need for intermediaries, such as ISPs, platforms, and applications, and by creating more competitive and transparent pricing mechanisms. For example, Sentinel is a platform that enables users to create and join decentralized virtual private networks (dVPNs), using their devices and bandwidth, and to access and provide internet services, such as browsing, streaming, and gaming, as well as to earn and spend cryptocurrencies, such as Sentinel Token (DVPN).
3. Improving the quality and reliability: Decentralized internet can improve the quality and reliability of internet services in Africa, by using blockchain and distributed storage, which enable users to store and access data and content, without the need for centralized servers or intermediaries, and by ensuring the availability and redundancy of the data and content, across multiple nodes and locations. For example, Filecoin is a platform that enables users to create and join decentralized storage networks (DSNs), using their devices and storage space, and to store and access data and content, such as files, videos, and images, as well as to earn and spend cryptocurrencies, such as Filecoin (FIL).
4. Increasing the content and services: Decentralized internet can increase the content and services available on the internet in Africa, by using blockchain and decentralized applications (dApps), which enable users to create and use applications and platforms, without the need for centralized intermediaries or intermediaries, and by providing more local and regional content, languages, and applications, as well as more diverse and inclusive content and services, that are not censored or regulated by governments or service providers. For example, Steemit is a platform that enables users to create and join decentralized social media networks (DSNs), using their devices and bandwidth, and to create and consume content, such as blogs, videos, and podcasts, as well as to earn and spend cryptocurrencies, such as Steem (STEEM).

The Future of Decentralized Internet in Africa

Decentralized internet has the potential to revolutionize the internet landscape in Africa, by providing more accessible, affordable, secure, and diverse internet services to millions of people. Decentralized internet can also enable more economic opportunities, empowerment, and growth for African users, by allowing them to create, exchange, and manage their own digital assets and identity, as well as to participate in the global crypto economy.

However, decentralized internet also faces some challenges and risks in Africa, such as:

a. Regulatory uncertainty: Decentralized internet operates in a largely unregulated and uncertain legal environment, which may pose challenges for compliance, taxation, and consumer protection. Some African countries, such as Nigeria and Kenya, have also imposed bans or restrictions on the use of cryptocurrencies and related activities.
b. Technical complexity: Decentralized internet requires a certain level of technical knowledge and skills to use and understand, which may limit its adoption and usability among the general public. Decentralized internet also relies on the availability and reliability of internet connectivity and electricity, which may be scarce or unstable in some parts of Africa.
c. Market volatility: Decentralized internet is subject to high levels of market volatility and price fluctuations, which may affect the value and stability of the digital assets and transactions. Decentralized internet also exposes users to various risks, such as hacking, fraud, scams, and human errors, which may result in the loss or theft of their funds or data.

Therefore, decentralized internet needs to overcome these challenges and risks, by developing more user-friendly, scalable, and interoperable solutions, as well as by engaging with regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders, to create a more conducive and supportive environment for its growth and adoption in Africa.

Conclusion

Decentralized internet is not just a technological trend, but also a social and economic movement, that can connect and transform Africa and the world. By leveraging the power and potential of decentralized internet, African users can access and use internet services that are more aligned with their needs and preferences, as well as create and contribute to a more open, democratic, and resilient internet.