Access to information is an acknowledged human equalizer and enabler of development. Technology is aiding the increased spread and wide reach of information as never before. This leads to faster development outcomes and social changes that have a great ability to spawn transformed and inclusive communities. Robust economic growth, opportunities for the betterment of life and job creation can also be achieved through digital transformation as people access critical information that can breed innovative solutions to development challenges. Technology is also aiding the spread of information as never before to communities which may be considered marginalized development-wise.

For Africa to fully tap into the digital economy that will drive development in all facets of human life, the need to address deficits in digital infrastructure and skills is obvious. Internet access is the backbone of the digital economy. There are other challenges of cost and space for connecting mobile devices with the internet. Africa has wholly embraced mobile telephony; it is estimated that there will be 475 million mobile internet users in sub-Saharan Africa by 2025 even as internet penetration in the continent was measured at 39.3% in the first quarter of 2020.

Digital infrastructure without commensurate digital skills is a great mismatch. While formal education offers some help to those of school age to learn basic digital skills, there are millions of Africans in workplaces, in governance, involved in commercial activities at various levels, out of school, in rural communities and in cities who need to learn these skills and how to apply them so that they can operate optimally in digital spaces, whether accessing the internet via fixed or mobile devices.

Furthermore, development in the 21st century is intentional and methodological. Research as an integral part of development requires that citizens have access to skills for searching out, using and building on available knowledge. Digital literacy skills are needed to adroitly mine (search, evaluate, use, adapt and share) the internet for information as part of the research process. This is critical at the tertiary education level, where a strong national system/infrastructure of innovation can be instituted by empowering academics with above-average digital literacy skills for knowledge produc - tion/sharing that will support quality education through providing students with enhanced learning experiences and informing the field of new and best discoveries/practices.