SA Champions Digital Inclusion as G20 President to Bridge Global Divide

As South Africa makes history by becoming the first African country to preside over the G20 Summit, it is using its unprecedented leadership position to amplify the voices of the Global South and usher in a transformative digital development agenda. At the heart of this agenda is the country's firm belief that digital transformation must serve as an engine for inclusive growth, sustainable development, and greater equity in the global economy.

This commitment was powerfully articulated by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, during the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), where he stated:

"Connectivity is no longer a privilege. It is a prerequisite for economic participation, education, innovation and growth."

Digital Divide: A Persistent Barrier to Equity

Despite rapid advancements in digital technology globally, an estimated 2.6 billion people still lacked access to the internet as of 2023. This gap is most acutely felt in the Global South, particularly among rural populations, women, and youth, who remain on the periphery of the digital revolution. South Africa argues that digital exclusion perpetuates systemic poverty, marginalisation, and inequality.

As G20 President, South Africa sees this crisis not as an obstacle, but as a global call to action. The country is mobilising fellow G20 nations around a four-pillar agenda designed to bridge the digital divide and ensure every citizen can benefit from technological progress.

South Africa's Four-Pillar G20 Digital Agenda

1. Affordable and Meaningful Connectivity South Africa is calling for universal, affordable internet access as the cornerstone of digital inclusion. This involves policies to reduce data costs, expand broadband infrastructure, and promote mobile penetration in underserved areas.

2. Robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Building efficient systems such as digital IDs, e-governance platforms, and integrated public databases can boost service delivery, enhance transparency, and create a foundation for inclusive economic participation.

3. Digital Skills and Education Special attention is being placed on women and youth, who face multiple structural barriers to digital literacy and employment. South Africa advocates for G20-backed programmes to equip citizens with the skills needed to thrive in a digital world—from coding and cybersecurity to entrepreneurship.

4. Inclusive and Ethical Artificial Intelligence As AI rapidly shapes global innovation, South Africa is urging the adoption of inclusive AI policies that tackle risks such as algorithmic bias, harmful content, and exclusion of underrepresented groups.

Launching the Global Call for Digital Public Infrastructure Innovations

In collaboration with partners such as the African Union, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), South Africa has launched the Global Call for Digital Public Infrastructure Innovations. This initiative allows countries to exchange ideas and share best practices related to:

• Digital identification systems

• E-learning and digital education platforms

• E-health tools

• Digital financial inclusion

• Open-source platforms that foster transparency and interoperability

This cooperative platform will help foster cross-border innovation, improve governance, and build regional resilience to digital inequality.

Universal and Equitable Digital Inclusion Framework

Recognising the importance of measurement and policy coherence, South Africa has developed a Universal and Equitable Digital Inclusion Framework, which provides governments with a practical toolkit to:

• Identify digital gaps

• Monitor inclusion progress

• Design evidence-based policies

• Benchmark national efforts against global best practices

This framework is instrumental in enabling both national and international policymakers to assess progress toward UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Managing AI Ethically: UNESCO Collaboration

To address ethical concerns around emerging technologies, South Africa has partnered with UNESCO to co-develop the Toolkit to Reduce Inequalities Connected to Artificial Intelligence. This resource guides governments on how to mitigate AI-related risks and ensure that AI-driven innovations reflect diversity, fairness, and cultural sensitivity.

Ubuntu in the Digital Age: Connecting Communities

True to the South African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—the country's G20 digital vision emphasises inclusion, equity, and shared progress. South Africa is investing in digital ecosystems that nurture micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are essential for local innovation and job creation. These ecosystems are being supported by tech hubs, start-up accelerators, and innovation partnerships with academic institutions and the private sector.

Financing the Digital Future

To actualise these ambitions, South Africa has called on the G20 to support innovative blended finance models. These models aim to combine:

• Public sector investment

• Private capital and technology partners

• Philanthropic funding and concessional loans

Such partnerships are crucial to expanding infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurship, and scaling digital solutions that work in real-world conditions.

A Shared Digital Future

South Africa's G20 presidency marks a historic shift in global leadership—a shift that places the Global South at the centre of decision-making on the digital economy. As the world grapples with inequality, climate change, and economic uncertainty, digital transformation offers a pathway to resilience and unity.

With its inclusive, ethically-grounded agenda, South Africa is leading the way in creating a digital economy that belongs to everyone, not just a privileged few. It is a clarion call to the world: Invest in people. Invest in digital equity. Invest in a future where no one is left behind.