Digital Doorway - Background

The growing digital divide is typically characterised by disparate access to information and communications (ICT) infrastructure and the uneven ability to derive economic and social benefits from information-intensive activities. National evolutionary processes will not suffice – there is a dire need for innovative interventions and approaches to leapfrog African communities into the information age.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Meraka Institute are committed to the Digital Doorway as it represents a mechanism to complement existing efforts to bring ICT into the service of development, within the context of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

The role of the Meraka Institute is to research and assess ICT developments, such as the Digital Doorway, in order to achieve social impact and upliftment.