In Uganda, a non-profit organization called Hello World is teaming up with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to help communities that lack access to the internet. Hello World provides solar-powered, internet-enabled education hubs in Uganda. These hubs allow people, especially young individuals, women, and girls, to access information, education, advocate for their rights, and connect with others around the world.
The global situation shows that many people still don’t have internet access. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 4.1 billion people worldwide don’t have the internet, with 90% of them living in developing countries.
This presents an opportunity for ISPs to not only get more customers but also help local economies and education by bridging the digital gap. In Uganda, for example, just over 50% of the population can access the internet. In Nigeria, there are 122.5 million internet users, which is 55.4% of the population.
This increased internet access can have a big impact. In Nigeria, e-commerce is set to grow, and the market is expected to be worth $20 billion USD by 2025. Education will also benefit, with over 10 million students enrolled in online programs. Healthcare accessibility will improve too, with over 1,000 telemedicine clinics in operation.
However, getting the internet to remote areas has its challenges, like not enough infrastructure, devices, and cultural differences. But the World Bank suggests that increasing internet access can boost a country’s economy by up to 1.5%.
To overcome these challenges, Hello World and ISPs are working together to create solar-powered internet kiosks in these hard-to-reach communities. They are also developing content and services that are culturally relevant. Hello World’s Hello Hubs offer programs like life skills training, computer literacy, numeracy, and literacy, which help bridge the education gap.
By working together, ISPs, governments, non-profits, and local communities can make the internet a powerful tool for social and economic development.
Katrin McMillan, the founder and CEO of Hello World, believes that providing internet access to underserved communities is a challenging but worthwhile task. ISPs can play a crucial role not only in expanding their customer base but also in making a positive impact on society. With innovative solutions and collaboration, the vision of a digitally inclusive world is becoming more attainable.
So far, Hello World has set up dozens of education hubs across Uganda, including in refugee settlement camps, to make education more accessible through digital means.
