ASISAT OSHOALA CALLS ON GOVERNMENTS TO IMPROVE INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE DIGITAL SKILLS AND CLOSE THE USAGE GAP

2024-02-28 01:01:10

BARCELONA, Spain – Governments must do more to ensure their citizens are equipped with the critical digital skills they need to take advantage of the online opportunities available to them, according to the six-time African women’s footballer Annual Asisat Oshoala and the global telecommunications trade association GSMA.

The 61-time Nigerian international and founder of the Asisat Oshoala Foundation in Lagos used MWC Barcelona 2024 to showcase her new role as GSMA ambassador for the campaign Breaking Barriers to draw attention to the utilization gap, a problem that affects three billion people worldwide and is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.

A usage gap occurs when people do not use mobile broadband networks even though they live in areas where they have access. As infrastructure has improved and mobile coverage has grown to 95% of the world’s population, the bigger challenge for the telecommunications industry is now to help more people use this connectivity.

While 38% of people worldwide do not use mobile internet despite living in areas with mobile coverage, this usage gap rises to 59% in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the main barriers to the usage gap is a lack of digital knowledge and skills.

Asisat Oshoala comments: “Growing up, I saw firsthand the impact of the usage gap. That’s why my foundation is committed to helping the younger generation learn to use the internet and working with the GSMA to close the usage gap.”

“Access to the Internet and the skills it requires should be universal and therefore must be prioritized by governments worldwide. We need more than just individual efforts – we need policymakers to join forces with the communications industry to overcome barriers to digital inclusion and promote digital literacy so that more people around the world have access to life-changing opportunities.”

Lara Dewar, Head of Marketing at the GSMA, said: “Asisat Oshoala’s message couldn’t be more timely or important. A concerted effort by all stakeholders – governments, regulators and the telecommunications industry – is essential if we are to reduce and remove barriers to connectivity, accelerate digital inclusion and ensure we leave no one behind in an increasingly connected world.”

For more information about the Breaking Barriers campaign and efforts to close the usage gap, visit https://www.gsma.com/breakingbarriers/.

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