Thembi, a single mother in rural South Africa, wants to enrol her child in school but she needs internet access to do it. Like nearly half (47%) of rural-dwelling South Africans, and a fifth of those in urban areas, she doesn’t have it. That’s just one example of the significant digital divide that’s holding South Africans back from taking full advantage of technological change and maximising the gains from the energy transition.
This challenge isn’t just about connectivity; it’s about justice. Internet access is vital for South Africa’s just transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring no one is left behind. Internet access supports: Reliable and affordable internet helps workers navigate the energy transition by providing access to job listings, e-learning platforms and training resources that build skills and human capital.
The internet also connects individuals to employment opportunities, making job searches easier, faster and more inclusive during economic change. Even if we increase coverage, the deeper and more pressing issue in South Africa remains not being able to afford sufficient broadband or mobile data to meet people’s needs. The “State of the ICT sector report of South Africa” indicates that despite slight fluctuations in the cost of data over the past four years, data pricing remains high.
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With over half the population living in poverty and data costs still high, staying online for long stretches is no longer realistic at a time when the digital economy expects everyone to be connected Fibre internet that offers fast, stable connections remains out of reach for many due to high costs. Most people rely on mobile data, buying small bundles in bits and pieces, often daily, just to stay connected. This pay-as-you-go model is not only costly in the long run but also deepens digital exclusion, especially for low-income and rural communities.
Internet access is largely determined by what people can afford, but high costs keep most South Africans offline for long stretches. Such a digital divide is real and damaging to millions of people who have no capacity to thrive in a fast-changing economy. Broadband in South Africa costs an average of R900 a month, with cheaper packages starting at R200.
A global ranking by Cable.co.uk places South Africa 127th out of 223 countries for broadband affordability. The Research ICT Africa mobile pricing index ranks South Africa at 31 out of 45 African countries recorded for the cost of a 1GB basket — higher than most of the country’s regional peers. In both rankings, South Africa is in the bottom half of the table, showing higher costs of internet access than in other countries.
Affordability is just one part of the problem. Many South Africans also lack internet-enabled devices and the skills to use the internet effectively. Additionally, high installation costs, monopolistic service providers in certain areas and poor connectivity further limit internet access.
Public Wi-Fi hotspots, which could bridge the gap, remain limited. South Africa ranks eighth in Africa with about 24,460 free Wi-Fi hotspots, mostly concentrated in big cities and not in rural or underdeveloped towns.
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