Annexure 1: Universal and Equitable Digital Inclusion Framework offers a structured, data-driven approach to reducing barriers to universal meaningful connectivity (UMC) and digital inclusion. Developed by Research ICT Africa alongside the International Telecommunication Union and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, this framework acted as a knowledge resource for the South African Presidency’s Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) under Priority 1: Universal and Equitable Digital Inclusion, and was eventually formalised as an official annexure in the final DEWG Chair’s Statement.
Building on existing datasets and country engagement models, such as Brazil’s work on UMC and digital infrastructure investment, the Digital Inclusion Framework examines three independent pillars of digital inclusion and usage: supply (coverage), demand (usage), and other enabling conditions such as governance and financing. The framework assesses key supply and demand-side barriers to identify opportunities to redress lagging internet adoption, particularly among low-income populations in the Global South. Regular, standardised collection of digital indicators, paired with evidence-based methods, is essential to tailor interventions to national contexts, monitor progress, and achieve UMC and equitable digital transformation.
Research ICT Africa’s contributions to this work highlights our historical experience surveying gaps and opportunities for digital inclusion and transformation on the continent. Drawing insights from our After Access studies – the only nationally-representative demand-side datasets in Africa – this Issue Brief and Annexure extends our data-driven research methodologies to a global stage. Applying these structured frameworks requires political leadership, coordinated global action, sustained funding, multi- stakeholder collaboration, and innovative financing—not only to expand coverage but to ensure meaningful, safe use of the Internet.
