Mr George said this when he joined a panel of global leaders to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of the digital divide at the Ministerial Programme of Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain.

The MWC Barcelona 2025 opened on March 3 and is expected to end on March 6, 2025 on the theme: "Converge. Connect. Create."

The session, titled "What About the Other Half?", brought together policymakers, industry experts, and thought leaders
to discuss strategies for connecting the 2.6 billion people who remain offline, particularly in developing countries, among women, and the elderly.

The discussions highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide, which continues to hinder progress toward global digital inclusion.
Despite significant advancements in connectivity, the growth rate of internet adoption is slowing, and affordability remains a major barrier, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where the cost of a smartphone can equal a family's monthly income.

The Minister said, "We are also investing in digital skills training to empower our citizens and ensure they can fully participate in the digital economy."

While global connectivity has expanded, the rate of internet adoption is declining.

The Panelists said there was the need for new measures and initiatives to connect the remaining unconnected populations.

This includes expanding broadband infrastructure, reducing costs, and addressing the usage gap, where individuals have access to networks but lack the devices or skills to use them effectively.
Affordability remains a critical challenge, particularly in developing regions and in Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the high cost of smartphones and data plans limits access to digital services.

They called for innovative financing models, such as installment plans and subsidies, to make devices and internet access more affordable.

Morkporkpor Anku (Courtesy: Huawei Technologies Ghana)