The digital landscape across Africa is gradually undergoing its transformative development, especially concerning Internet accessibility and infrastructure. As we delve into the vibrant terrains of Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt, we uncover a tapestry woven with commendable growth, persistent challenges, and ambitious initiatives in the realm of Internet access.

MTN Mobile coverage according to NPERF.COM in Dec 2023

In the vibrant landscape of Ghana, the growth of Internet users has been commendable, reaching 39% of the population by 2019. Despite this, challenges persist, particularly in the realm of accessibility. Internet services remain expensive and exhibit uneven geographical coverage, creating a digital divide. The Ghanaian government, in collaboration with telecommunications companies, is actively working to enhance internet access. Initiatives such as CSquared, spearheaded by international players like Google, aim to expand digital infrastructure. However, the primary hurdle lies in the inadequate rural infrastructure. To address this, the Ghana Electronic Communications Investment Fund (GIFEC) plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between urban centers and underserved rural areas. As the nation leans heavily on mobile communications, the focus on wireless broadband becomes paramount. The cost of the Internet, though not extensively detailed in official reports, varies, with estimates indicating an average price of GH₵291.9 for 60 Megabit/s.

Safaricom coverage according to NPERF.COM in Dec 2023

In the realm of telecommunications in Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) oversees the administrative aspects. The quality of the Internet varies across the country, with Nairobi experiencing relatively stable connectivity compared to smaller, less populated areas. Mobile operator users are on the rise, and the recent installation of the fifth submarine optical cable reflects the nation's commitment to enhancing connectivity. Major providers, such as Faiba and Zuku, cater to diverse needs, offering varying speeds and pricing but introduce smaller area coverages. Notably, the introduction of Starlink in 2023 extends coverage nationwide, albeit at higher costs. The Kenyan landscape exemplifies the diverse connectivity challenges faced across different regions.

MTN coverage according to NPERF.COM in Dec 2023

In the dynamic landscape of South Africa, mobile Internet prevails, overshadowing the underdeveloped wired infrastructure. While the Internet, especially fiber optic, is costly and has faced public discontent, the prevalence of smartphones has fueled growth. The MyBroadband Insights report highlights significant mobile internet growth, with average download speeds of 26.73 Mbps. According to a study conducted by Pew Research Center in 2018, it was found that in 2017, 51% of adults in South Africa possessed a smartphone, 40% owned a feature phone, and 9% did not have a mobile phone at all. With data collected by Podata and Statista.com in the same year stating that South Africa had approximately 20 million smartphone users, which accounted for roughly one-third of the country's population. Apparent challenges persist, with rural areas facing lower connectivity rates. According to the findings of the General Study of Families (GHS) in 2018, just about 64.7% of families in the country had Internet access. This meant that at least one family member could access the Internet at various locations such as home, work, school, or an Internet café. With 60% of families in the country accessing the Internet through mobile devices, the majority being families living in metropolitan areas (67%). Mobile devices were also the most commonly used means of access in rural areas, accounting for 45%. The high cost of fiber optic internet, labeled the world's most expensive, poses a considerable obstacle, prompting debates on market competition and affordability.

MTN Mobile coverage according to NPERF.COM in Dec 2023

Nigeria, boasting the largest mobile phone market in Africa, has witnessed significant subscriber growth. Despite challenges in Internet speed, efforts are underway to enhance network infrastructure, with fines imposed on operators for quality of service issues. Initiatives like Tizeti leverage solar panels for cost-effective Wi-Fi network expansion, while Google's free public Wi-Fi stations aim to bridge connectivity gaps. As the government envisions increased broadband penetration, mobile infrastructure stands as a key player. The landscape mirrors a nation grappling with rapid technological advancements and the need for inclusive connectivity.

Etisalat Mobile coverage according to NPERF.COM in Dec 2023

Egypt, guided by the ICT Strategy 2030, envisions a knowledge-based society and a robust digital economy. While infrastructure challenges persist, there is a concerted effort to overcome them and reduce dependence on ICT imports. Internet service providers in Egypt do not differentiate prices, and the distribution of Internet users reveals regional disparities, with Cairo leading at 38%. The unfolding ICT goals set the stage for a transformative digital future, underscoring the intricate relationship between infrastructure, accessibility, and the aspirations of a knowledge-driven society.

The education systems in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt exhibit various challenges and opportunities.

Ghana maintains relatively similar performance standards for public and private schools. Private schools have less stringent teacher certification requirements, with only one third of teachers required to be professionally qualified, unlike the mandatory qualification for all teachers in public schools. Government efforts focus on improving public school education, addressing issues such as infrastructure, teacher certification, and overall standards.

Kenya, a rapidly developing country, set a goal in 2003 for free education for all, resulting in increased enrollment but challenges for public schools. Funding for education remains approximately 5% of GDP. Private schools have grown due to the challenges faced by public schools, yet they often only meet minimum educational standards, particularly in impoverished areas. Alarming statistics include a 22.2% repetition rate in the 10th grade and 11.4% of families reporting children commuting more than 30 minutes to the nearest school. Financial difficulties, corruption, and teacher shortages contribute to the struggles in the education system.

In South Africa, education still faces challenges rooted in apartheid-era racial segregation. The repetition rate in the 10th grade is 22.2%, and 20.5% of families reported a child repeating the 11th grade. Over 20 years since 1994, the number of students in higher education has increased significantly, approaching one million, but the country faces a shortage of up to 30,000 teachers by 2025. The Economist (2019) notes that education reflects and perpetuates inequality, with top 200 secondary schools receiving more merit grades than the other 6,476 combined. Education problems include overcrowded classrooms, lack of books, high fees, and a shortage of qualified teachers.

Nigeria grapples with a clear division between the rich south and the poor north. In 2016, approximately 25.6 million children were enrolled in public and private primary schools. Despite being free and compulsory, only 61% of children aged 6–11 attend school regularly. Private schools are preferred by 70% of children aged 5 to 14, mainly located in urban centers. Challenges include the slow introduction of the internet due to poor quality, low literacy rates, and geographical, poverty, and gender-related factors influencing school attendance. Over a million Nigerians who complete secondary school annually lack access to higher education.

Egypt has made strides in improving literacy rates, with official youth literacy increasing from 85% in 2005 to 94% in 2017. However, the growing population strains the education system. The total number of children enrolled in primary school increased from 9.5 million in 2005 to 12.2 million in 2017. The quality of higher education in Egypt is ranked 130th out of 137 countries. Challenges include outdated university curricula and graduates facing poor job prospects, taking an average of seven years to find paid work as of 2014. The reliance on private tutoring for high-stakes exams poses financial burdens for families, and exam leaks are common. The government is attempting to reform the assessment system to focus on practical skills and reduce the importance of final exams. The government has introduced reforms, including a new more digitized testing system with the expectation to provide students with the necessary tablets in an attempt to increase their exposure to technology.

In summary, these African countries share common challenges such as teacher shortages, infrastructure issues, and financial constraints. While efforts are made to address these challenges, the impact varies, and private education often emerges as an alternative for those who can afford it. The legacy of historical factors, such as apartheid in South Africa, continues to influence educational disparities.

As private education speaks for a significant percentage of the educational market in each case, this comprehensive overview provides not only statistical data but also insights into the features, challenges, and growth trends in the private education systems of Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt. It highlights key figures and challenges in each country to better explore the diverse landscapes and dynamics shaping education across these African countries.

Number of private schools: More than 5000

Tuition fees: Range from 2500 ($430) to 40000GH¢ ($6800)

Percentage of total schools: Approximately 12%

Features:

1. The private sector plays a significant role in basic education, accounting for over 20% of enrollments.
2. At Senior Secondary School (SHS) level, private sector enrollment drops to 6%.
3. Private vocational and technical institutions (TVETs) make up almost a third but account for only 8% of total enrollment.
4. Private schooling is expanding rapidly, with schools established between 2011 and 2017 constituting a substantial portion.
5. Private institutions constitute half of higher education institutions but only 19% of the total student population.
6. Leadership and policy issues contribute to poor monitoring, making data collection challenging and incomplete.
7. Private sector teachers have lower training rates compared to the public sector.
8. In 2016/17, only 10.3% of private sector teachers at the primary level and 52% of teachers at the senior secondary level were trained, compared to 90% in the public sector.
9. Lack of monitoring and regulation is a key challenge in assessing the quality of private schools.
10. Disparities in private school students across regions: Greater Accra with the highest (60% in kindergarten, 50% in primary, and 40% in lower secondary), while Upper West has the lowest proportion.

Number of private schools: Approximately 20904

Tuition costs:

1. State program: 500 to 1500 USD
2. International program: ~3000 USD and more
3. A mixture of international and state: Middle rates between the aforementioned numbers.

Percentage of total number of schools: Approximately 38.8%

Features:

1. Private primary schools more than doubled, and senior schools quadrupled from 2014 to 2019.
2. Government schools increased but at a slower rate during the same period.
3. Families opt for private schools due to perceived shortcomings in public free schools.

Number of private schools: Approximately 1966

Tuition fees: Range from 1900R (~$100) per month to 300,000R ($17,000) per year.

Percentage of total number of schools: Approximately 7.6%

Features:

1. Private schools educate about 3% of South Africa's students, with 205 students per private school on average.
2. Curro, one of the largest private school companies, doubled the number of campuses and schools since 2014.
3. One of the problems of this company, in particular, is the growth of debts, up to R3.5 billion in 2019. However, according to the director of the company, good profits make it possible to service debts. The company's schools' Ebitda grew by 20% in 2019 to almost R500 million, while total revenue increased by 19% to one and a half billion rand.
4. So, despite financial challenges, the private education sector in South Africa is profitable, with efforts focused on investing in existing schools.
5. Student dropout rates are addressed through strategies like creating additional capacity and easing financial burdens.

Number of private schools: Approximately 6083

Tuition fees:

1. Private kindergarten and primary school: $50 US
2. Private high school: $100 - $150 US
3. Private university: US$2,700 per year (compared to public universities with fees ranging from US$125 - US$500 per year)

Percentage of total number of schools: Approximately 8.1%

Features:

1. Private schools contribute to achieving equality in education by accommodating various challenges faced in public schools.
2. Private schools have a fixed number of students in classes at all levels of education with a student-teacher ratio of 25:1.
3. Private schools do not belong to any trade unions and therefore do not participate in any strikes. This helps them maintain their academic calendar and fully cover their curriculum. While government schools belong to various unions and often go on strike to put forward their demands. In 2013, 60 public universities were paralyzed by strikes for more than five months over demands for more funding and better employment benefits for university staff.
4. Private schools provide textbooks, laboratories, libraries, while in public schools the condition of equipment and textbooks is deplorable.
5. In private schools, teachers are provided with retraining, certification, seminars and regular lectures to improve efficiency; in public schools, teachers very rarely get the opportunity to attend these events.
6. However, private education in Nigeria is expensive.

Number of private schools: About 7000

Tuition fees: Varying, with some as low as EGP 1,000 ($112)

Percentage of total number of schools: Approximately 13%

Features:

1. There is a primary curriculum set by the government for both public and private schools.
2. Private schools may offer higher quality due to funding challenges in public schools, attracting children from affluent households.
3. Some universities charge high tuition fees ranging from US$455 to US$1,139.
4. Private higher and secondary educational institutions rely on tuition fees and require government approval to operate.
5. Therefore, some challenges in private education in Egypt include tuition fee increases and legal issues related to registration and accreditation.

Understanding the state of education infrastructure and digitalization is crucial for assessing the quality of education in African countries. However, governments and educational institutions must ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to facilitate access to technology and digital content. Additionally, initiatives must be implemented to ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively utilize technology in the classroom. With concerted effort , digitalization of education in Africa can accelerate the development of a more equitable and inclusive learning system. This summary will explore the conditions of school buildings, amenities, and the digital landscape in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt, integrating statistical and research information to form general pictures and introduce some conclusions as well as mere observations and inquiry areas.

Ghana's educational development is commendable, yet infrastructure remains a challenge. Many basic schools require improvements, ranging from repairs to addressing hazardous conditions. Some schools even lack essential furniture, and the phenomenon of "schools under the trees" persists. As of 2016/17, 50% of basic schools had access to drinking water, 68% had toilets, and 43% lacked electricity. Vocational institutions face challenges in ICT capabilities, while higher education struggles with poorly equipped laboratories and lecture halls.

Kenya's education system grapples with varying conditions of school infrastructure, especially in public schools. Incidents of collapsing toilets highlight the poor state of school buildings. Despite a 2018 textbook delivery reform achieving a 1:1 textbook-to-pupil ratio, disparities exist, impacting the quality and satisfaction of teachers. Digitalization in schools is uneven, with the best international schools leading in Wi-Fi and electronic boards.

South Africa faces significant challenges in its education infrastructure, especially in rural communities. In 2017, only 59% of schools met minimum standards, with issues like power shortages and pit toilets prevalent. The lack of libraries and laboratories compounds problems, impacting literacy and academic achievement. Efforts to introduce digital workbooks and tablets aim to address these challenges, though the distribution is uneven across provinces. According to the 2017/18 National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS) report, 7,816 South African schools were left without running water, 70% lacked libraries, and 81% lacked laboratories.

Nigeria's public schools, particularly in the north, suffer from poor conditions, lacking furniture, sanitation, and textbooks. In contrast, good private schools offer better facilities. Universities face challenges due to inadequate inspections and reliance on government funding. The digital landscape is marked by disparities in Internet and interactive whiteboard access. As of 2011 across several universities, only one participating educational institution had Internet access for students, revealing a digital divide.

Egypt grapples with digitalization challenges primarily managed by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education constructed 32,054 school premises from 2014 to 2018. Issues with tablets, Wi-Fi, and power during exams indicate ongoing challenges. The presence of Wi-Fi in schools, educational software, and initiatives like the Digital Library show progress, but the digital divide remains due to a shortage of qualified IT personnel. Notably, it has been identified as a bottleneck in Egypt's overall digitization efforts.

In the realm of education across African countries, the numbers paint a vivid picture of challenges, growth, and untapped potential. Ghana, with over 5,000 private schools, grapples with a lack of infrastructure and a wide disparity in learning resources. Kenya strides towards a 1:1 textbook-to-pupil ratio, yet disparities persist, highlighting the need for more comprehensive reforms. South Africa confronts infrastructural shortcomings, revealing the urgent need for improvements in schools, particularly in rural areas. Nigeria's private schools stand out, offering a semblance of equality in education. Egypt's digital initiatives showcase steps towards modernization but underscore the persistent gap in IT expertise. As these nations navigate the complexities, the statistical landscape becomes a compass, guiding the way towards a more equitable and robust educational future for all. The digitalization of education in Africa holds immense potential for transforming teaching and learning. With access to technology, students are able to engage in new ways with educational content, explore new ideas, and develop skills that will equip them for success in the modern world. Digitalization also presents an opportunity to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of educational systems, reducing administrative costs while improving outcomes.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the structures, challenges, and innovations within the educational and other systems that could benefit from digitization in the subsequent sections of the research series.