Latest news with #DigitalTransformationTaskForce
The South African
4 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa: Two major barriers to digital inclusion in SA
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Chairperson of B20 South Africa's Digital Transformation Task Force, was one of the speakers at an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) session held in Johannesburg on Friday, 18 July. Mahanyele-Dabengwa was asked about the worrying number of South Africans currently without internet access and the barriers holding the country back from digital inclusion. Mahanyele-Dabengwa, who is also the South Africa CEO and Executive Director at Naspers, was also questioned on the actions to be taken to transition the remainder of the population online. In her detailed response, Mahanyele-Dabengwa admitted that while South Africa has made meaningful progress in digital policy and innovation – from pioneering TV White Space trials to implementing spectrum auctions with social obligations – the reality is that around 25% of our population remains offline. She added that from her perspective, despite the significant advancements, two key barriers continue to hinder digital inclusion: Infrastructure availability – Many underserved communities, particularly in rural provinces like Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, still lack access to reliable broadband infrastructure. Affordability – Even where infrastructure exists, it's often unaffordable for low-income households to access devices and data. Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa went on to mention that according to the GSMA, the single biggest barrier to internet use in South Africa is the cost of smart devices and mobile data. To break it down further: The poorest 20% of South Africans spend roughly 12% of their monthly income just to afford 1GB of data – six times higher than the global affordability benchmark of 2%. This is simply unsustainable for widespread, equitable digital participation, added Mahanyele-Dabengwa. Coverage gap She also cited the current coverage gap, especially in rural and peri-urban communities, as a major obstacle. Open Signal data shows that rural users in South Africa experience 15% slower download speeds and nearly double the signal outages compared to those in urban areas. These infrastructure disparities mean that even when users can afford data, the experience is limited and unreliable. Mahanyele-Dabengwa concluded by saying that to close these gaps and drive meaningful digital inclusion, we must act on three fronts: Promote affordability of devices and data – Consider removing or reducing import taxes and VAT on entry-level digital devices. – Introduce targeted incentives for telcos to reduce mobile broadband pricing in low-income markets. 2. Invest in last-mile infrastructure – Expand rural connectivity through public-private partnerships. – For example, Vodacom's R430 million rural 4G project in the Eastern Cape brought mobile connectivity to 19 previously unserved villages. – These are the kinds of investments we must scale nationally. 3. Streamline regulatory frameworks – Fast-track spectrum licensing and simplify municipal-level approvals to accelerate network expansion. – Empower smaller ISPs and community networks with flexible access to infrastructure and open access models. Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa's comments underscore the urgency of closing South Africa's digital gap, especially as the economy grows more reliant on digital access. Her call to action stresses that connectivity is not a luxury, but a lifeline – and one that must be made available to all South Africans. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Here are the numbers behind the Digital Transformation Task Force's mission
The B20's Digital Transformation Task Force has announced a bold strategy to close the world's digital divide and drive inclusive economic growth through infrastructure development, skills training, and innovation. With 32% of the global population still offline, and a $1.7 trillion (R30 trillion) investment gap in digital infrastructure, the Digital Transformation Task Force is calling for urgent action to connect underserved communities. In low-income regions, digital inequality is especially stark – 15% more men than women have access to the internet. The task force has warned that without intervention, these disparities will widen, further entrenching social and economic divides. The strategy also highlights the need for a major shift in digital skills. By 2030, 22% of current jobs will be affected by digital transformation, while 92 million jobs could be displaced. Meanwhile, 84 million children and youth are projected to be out of school, compounding the workforce readiness challenge. Economic growth is also a key focus. In 2022, US digital economy activities contributed 6.3% to real gross domestic product (GDP). Looking forward, AI-driven productivity could boost global GDP by 7%. However, small businesses still lag – producing only half the output of larger companies. These priorities are captured in the task force's Aspiration Statement, which advocates for policies that ensure accessible digital infrastructure, promote workforce readiness, and encourage strategic investments. The statement calls on governments and the private sector to champion innovation, economic growth and the bridging of the digital divide. With coordinated global efforts, the task force aims to foster a more inclusive and prosperous digital future. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
27-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Who is Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, the woman leading B20's Digital Transformation Task Force?
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, the chairperson of Business 20's (B20's) Digital Transformation Task Force which includes esteemed leaders in technology, is ambitiously working to advance digital inclusion across Africa and other developing economies. In a recent interview, Mahanyele-Dabengwa explained the purpose and focus of the Digital Transformation Task Force, one of the many task forces of the B20. B20 Task Forces are the strategic engines of B20 South Africa, responsible for developing business-driven, actionable policy recommendations to be presented to the Group of 20 (G20), which South Africa leads until November 2025. 'Its focus is to bring about concrete policies that will bring about wider internet access and digital inclusion, enabling developing nations in Africa and beyond to narrow the gap with technology powerhouses like the US and China,' Mahanyele-Dabengwa said. 'This G20 Presidency under South Africa's leadership is the perfect moment to take action – to guide the technological revolution in a way that broadens access to opportunity, protects human rights and dignity, and ensures that no country or community is excluded from the digital future,' she added. Mahanyele-Dabengwa is renowned for her groundbreaking role as the first Black woman CEO of Naspers South Africa, a position she has held since 2019. Her journey from Soweto to the helm of one of Africa's largest tech and media groups epitomises resilience, vision, and transformative leadership. Born in 1971 in Meadowlands, Soweto, Mahanyele-Dabengwa's early life was marked by frequent relocations, including stints in Durban, Lesotho and various parts of Johannesburg. Despite facing challenges, such as the loss of her mother at 17, she earned herself a BA in Economics from Rutgers University in the USA in 1993 and an MBA from De Montfort University in the UK in 1996. In 2008, she completed an executive programme at Harvard's Kennedy School. Mahanyele-Dabengwa's career started at Fieldstone Private Capital Group in New York City, where she specialised in infrastructure finance, eventually becoming vice-president of its South Africa office. When she returned to South Africa, she led the project finance department at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, before joining Cyril Ramaphosa's Shanduka Group in 2004. As CEO, she steered Shanduka to securing deals with global brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald's South Africa. In 2015, she co-founded Sigma Capital, an investment holding company, before catching the attention of Naspers, leading to her historic appointment as CEO of Naspers South Africa. Under her tenure, Naspers has helped grow the South African tech ecosystem through early-stage tech investment startup unit Naspers Foundry, which invested and supported high-growth local startups. Naspers continues to invest in its leading lifestyle e-commerce subsidiary companies Property24, AutoTrader, Mr D Food and media group, Media24. Mahanyele-Dabengwa serves on several boards, including Vodacom, and she is also an executive director of the Naspers and Prosus boards. Mahanyele-Dabengwa, who is also committed to social development of especially young people, is involved with the life-changing work of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation and Global Dignity South Africa, focusing on education and youth empowerment. Her contributions have earned her many accolades, including Forbes Woman Africa's Businesswoman of the Year in 2014 and CNBC Africa's All Africa Business Leaders Woman of the Year in 2019. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
