Digital inclusion in rural African communities has been a subject of increasing interest due to its potential to bridge socio-economic gaps and enhance access to information and services. The research employs a comparative approach with data collected through structured interviews and surveys conducted across three selected districts in Kenya. Quantitative analysis is used to evaluate the impact of socio-economic indicators on digital inclusion outcomes. A notable finding was that rural areas predominantly rely on community-owned internet hotspots for connectivity, which often suffer from instability and limited bandwidth compared to urban settings. The study underscores significant disparities in digital access between rural and urban regions of Kenya, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to accelerate digital inclusion efforts. Policy recommendations include increasing investment in robust internet infrastructure, promoting community-led initiatives, and fostering digital literacy programmes tailored for rural populations. digital inclusion, rural communities, Internet access, Digital Divide, Kenya
Mwangi et al. (Mon,) studied this question.