Digital Divide in Rural Burkina Faso: Policies for Digital Inclusion

Digital technologies have become integral to daily life in many parts of the world, yet disparities persist with respect to access and use among rural populations in Africa, particularly in contexts like Burkina Faso where infrastructure and digital literacy are limited. The study employed a qualitative approach, analysing government policies, community feedback, and existing literature on digital inclusion efforts in rural areas of Burkina Faso. A key finding is the significant disparity between urban and rural internet access rates, with only 30% of rural households having reliable broadband connections compared to over 70% in urban centers. Additionally, there is a notable gap in digital literacy skills among the local population, especially concerning basic online activities. The analysis reveals that current policies are insufficient in bridging this digital divide, necessitating targeted interventions such as subsidised internet access and community-based digital education programmes. To mitigate the Digital Divide, we recommend implementing a tiered approach to internet subsidies, focusing on rural schools and health centers; alongside fostering partnerships with local NGOs for digital literacy training in communities.