After Access 2026 Survey

After Access Website

This survey aims to understand the barriers and challenges to the adoption and deployment of digital technologies in Kenya and Rwanda. In predominantly prepaid mobile markets, only demand-side data can yield nationally representative, disaggregated data that can be modelled to isolate the underlying factors driving low digital adoption levels. Through survey data collection, indicator development and analysis, After Access fills this gap by building an evidence base for context-specific policy and regulatory interventions that can advance digital inclusion and universal meaningful connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa.

In doing so, After Access 2026 contributes to a better understanding of Africa’s digitalisation forces, providing a research-informed evidence base on the use of ICT and related technologies by households and individuals. With previous survey rounds taking place in 2004, 2018, and most recently, 2022 across multiple African countries, the 2026 round scales down to focus particularly on Kenya and Rwanda, surveying 1800 households and 800 individuals, respectively.

Research objectives

Strengthening the evidence base on state of access, affordability and the application of digital technologies through updated Household and Individual Surveys in Kenya and Rwanda, leveraging previous surveys’ existing methodological approach.
Piloting collection of sectoral-level insights on institutional, regulatory, and policy implementation barriers or enablers impacting the ability of key sectors – such as education, health, and digital finance – to advance digital inclusion and equitable digital service delivery.
Developing actionable recommendations at the intersection of national and sector-specific insights with the aim of better enabling digital inclusion at state and sector policy and policy implementation levels.
Synthesising the findings of Kenya and Rwanda into comparative insights disseminated through Research ICT Africa’s African and Global South policy, regulatory and expert networks, including as part of our ongoing regional and multilateral policy engagements.

Methodology

This project uses a mixed-methods, demand-side research approach designed to generate nationally representative evidence on how individuals and households access and use digital technologies across Africa. The large-scale survey uses multi-stage stratified random sampling, ensuring representation across urban and rural areas and socio-economic groups. The standardised questionnaire enables cross-country comparability and captures data on device ownership, internet use, affordability, digital skills, and socio-economic characteristics, with a strong emphasis on meaningful access.

This quantitative foundation is complemented by qualitative research, including key informant interviews with selected policymakers, to help explain the contextual drivers of digital inclusion or exclusion. Data collection is typically conducted through face-to-face interviews using digital tools, with rigorous quality control processes such as enumerator training, piloting, and real-time validation. Finally, data is weighted and analysed to produce nationally representative indicators and comparative insights across countries.