Page 27 - Building digital public infrastructure for cities and communities

sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Internet penetration rates are still below the global average and
smartphone or data plan costs remain a major barrier for many low-income households. In Malawi,
recent figures indicate that approximately 43 per cent of the population owns a mobile phone and
around 15 per cent uses the Internet, dropping to about 9 per cent in rural areas compared with
roughly 41 per cent in urban centres (Kajoloweka, 2021).

Socio-cultural factors can also play a role in limiting inclusion. In countries like Pakistan, disparities
in digital literacy, social norms and safety concerns contribute to a gender gap in accessing online
governance services (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, 2024). Similarly, language and literacy
challenges arise when digital platforms are only available in a dominant language or require
advanced reading skills.

Persons with disabilities are another segment that often encounters barriers to DPI access.
Although international standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) exist,
actual implementation remains uneven. Many government websites and apps have yet to fully
accommodate users with visual or cognitive impairments (UK Government, 2024).

Accessing digital Identity (ID) systems can also be problematic for individuals who lack official
documentation. For instance, some Rohingya refugees and stateless people in Bangladesh have
faced difficulties obtaining services tied to national ID schemes owing to the lack of recognized
identity documents (Hussain, 2024). In addition, certain indigenous or rural communities in Australia
have historically received less representation in national broadband development plans, despite
efforts to bridge the connectivity gap (Park, 2024).

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