Bridging the Algorithmic Divide: Deploying Offline-First DPI and AI for Universal Disability Inclusion in the Global South
JSE NGO
Session 220
Background
Across the Global South, the rapid digitization of government services has inadvertently created a new paradigm of marginalization. Traditional Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI) heavily rely on 4G connectivity, smartphone ownership, and complex biometric sensors. For Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the elderly, and rural communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these technical requirements often act as insurmountable barriers. This leads to "algorithmic exclusion," where the most vulnerable citizens are locked out of their civic identity and vital social protection programs simply because they lack access to high-end hardware or physical mobility.
Successful Projects Relevant to the Thematic Focus
This session focuses on absolute digital equity by presenting HandiConnect, a highly successful and scalable initiative from the DRC that directly addresses this challenge. HandiConnect flips the conventional tech paradigm by deploying an "Offline-First" sovereign DPI. It successfully converges ubiquitous, low-tech telecom protocols (USSD) with advanced Soundex Artificial Intelligence. Instead of requiring broadband or physical biometric scans, users access state services using basic feature phones. The AI backend performs phonetic deduplication to verify identities, secure Government-to-Person (G2P) payments, and eliminate "ghost beneficiaries" in social registries. Supported by a robust multi-stakeholder coalition—including the DRC's Ministry of Telecommunications (PTNTIC), the Ministry delegated to PWDs, and the National Solidarity Fund (FONA)—HandiConnect stands as a proven blueprint for delivering safe, accessible, and fraud-resistant digital identity in low-resource environments.
Vision for WSIS Beyond 2015, towards 2025
Aligning with the WSIS Action Lines (particularly C3: Access to information and knowledge, and C7: E-government), our session champions a critical shift in global digital governance. The WSIS vision beyond 2015 and towards the next decade must acknowledge that human dignity and access to state services cannot be paused while waiting for universal broadband coverage. Our vision for the future is to redefine the standards of DPIs. We advocate for a world where legacy telecom infrastructure, empowered by responsible AI, is officially recognized as a valid, universally accessible bridge to the digital economy. By adopting this pragmatic approach, the international community can ensure that as we construct the sophisticated digital societies of 2025 and beyond, we leave absolutely no one behind.
**The panelists will be updated.**
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
This session directly advances key WSIS Action Lines by showcasing a tangible, sovereign Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model designed for absolute inclusivity:
C3 (Access to information and knowledge): By leveraging widely available offline USSD technology, HandiConnect ensures that marginalized populations, rural communities, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can access vital information and state services without the financial burden of smartphones or broadband connectivity.
C7 (E-government): The initiative provides a scalable, proven framework for digitizing social protection distribution (G2P payments) and civil identity systems, successfully bringing e-government infrastructure directly to the grassroots level.
C10 (Ethical dimensions of the Information Society): By replacing potentially exclusionary biometric requirements with accessible Soundex AI phonetic verification, the project champions digital equity, restores human dignity, and actively dismantles algorithmic bias against vulnerable groups.
C1 & C2 (Role of governments and Information/Communication infrastructure): The session highlights the power of multi-stakeholder coalitions—uniting the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Ministry of PWDs, FONA, and civil society—in repurposing existing telecom infrastructure to build a secure and inclusive digital society.
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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
This session demonstrates how sovereign, "Offline-First" Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI) serve as critical accelerators for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By focusing on absolute inclusion, the HandiConnect initiative directly advances the following selected SDGs:
SDG 1 (No Poverty): By digitizing and securing Government-to-Person (G2P) payment systems without requiring internet access, the project ensures that vital social protection funds reliably reach the absolute poorest and most marginalized communities, building resilience against economic shocks.
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The session showcases resilient, inclusive innovation by repurposing legacy telecom networks (USSD) and combining them with frontier AI (Soundex). It proves that robust digital infrastructure can be built on universally available technologies without waiting for nationwide broadband deployment.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): HandiConnect actively dismantles systemic inequalities by removing the hardware, financial, and physical barriers that cause "algorithmic exclusion." It ensures that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and rural populations have equitable access to the digital society.
SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): By using phonetic AI to verify civil identities and eliminate "ghost beneficiaries" in social registries, the project builds transparent, accountable, and inclusive state institutions. It provides a secure digital identity for all, fostering civic trust and good governance.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity