Connectivity Alone Is Not Enough to Unlock Economic Growth and Opportunity
By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Valencia Risaba, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, highlights the importance of placing people at the centre of digital transformation. Her insights underscore how connectivity, skills development and inclusive infrastructure are key to ensuring South Africa’s digital future delivers meaningful economic and social opportunity for all. Photo Credit: Supplied
South Africa’s digital transformation journey will be defined not only by the infrastructure it builds but by its ability to ensure that citizens can meaningfully participate in the digital economy, according to Valencia Risaba, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa.
As the country continues to invest heavily in digital infrastructure and connectivity, Risaba believes the focus must now shift towards ensuring that technology delivers tangible social and economic benefits for communities across the nation.
In a call for a more inclusive approach to digital development, she argues that access to technology should be measured not by network coverage alone, but by the opportunities it creates for individuals, businesses and communities.
Bridging the Digital Divide
South Africa has made significant strides in expanding digital infrastructure over the past decade. Liquid Intelligent Technologies alone operates one of Africa’s largest fibre networks, spanning more than 110,000 kilometres across the continent.
However, despite these advancements, millions of South Africans remain excluded from the benefits of the digital economy.
According to Risaba, approximately 20% of South Africans still lack internet access, while many others face barriers such as affordability, limited access to devices, inadequate digital skills and unreliable electricity supply.
“Expanding connectivity alone does not automatically translate into meaningful digital participation,” she explains. “Turning access into opportunity requires a deliberate effort to ensure connectivity is affordable, accessible and capable of unlocking real economic and social outcomes.”
Empowering Communities Through Skills and Education
For Liquid Intelligent Technologies, digital inclusion extends far beyond building networks.
The company has invested in STEM education and digital literacy programmes designed to equip young people in underserved communities with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy.
These initiatives provide learners with access to digital learning resources, mentorship opportunities and practical training aimed at building long-term confidence and digital capability.
Rather than simply introducing technology, the programmes focus on empowering individuals to become active participants in the digital world.
“Successful digital inclusion initiatives combine connectivity with devices, skills development and hands-on exposure to digital tools,” says Risaba.
Partnerships Driving Sustainable Impact
A key theme emerging from Liquid’s approach is the importance of collaboration.
Risaba believes meaningful digital transformation can only be achieved when government, industry and communities work together to address local challenges and create sustainable solutions.
Government provides policy direction and development priorities, while the private sector contributes technology, infrastructure and operational expertise. Communities, meanwhile, offer critical local knowledge that helps ensure programmes remain relevant and impactful.
“Programmes developed without listening to communities often struggle to sustain impact,” she notes.
This collaborative model has become increasingly important as organisations seek ways to ensure digital investment delivers long-term benefits rather than short-term gains.
Technology as a Driver of Economic Growth
The economic potential of digital inclusion is becoming increasingly evident across Africa.
Reliable connectivity is enabling entrepreneurs to access new markets, adopt digital payment systems and grow their businesses beyond traditional geographic limitations.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are among the biggest beneficiaries of improved digital access, gaining opportunities to engage in e-commerce, access financial services and reach customers more efficiently.
Research continues to demonstrate that digital adoption can significantly boost productivity, stimulate innovation and support enterprise development, particularly when accompanied by skills development and access to technology.
Building an Inclusive Digital Economy
As South Africa seeks to accelerate economic growth and address persistent social challenges, digital inclusion is emerging as a critical component of national development.
Risaba argues that the success of the country’s digital future will ultimately depend on whether technology investments translate into improved quality of life for ordinary citizens.
“Digital progress that leaves people behind is not progress at all,” she says.
By investing in digital training, entrepreneurship support, access to devices and community-driven development programmes, South Africa can create a more inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone.
Connecting People to Opportunity
As the digital revolution continues to reshape industries and societies worldwide, experts increasingly agree that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee success.
The real measure of progress lies in how effectively technology empowers people, creates jobs, improves education and expands economic opportunity.
For Liquid Intelligent Technologies, the future of connectivity is not simply about connecting networks—it is about connecting people to opportunity, dignity and sustainable growth.
As South Africa charts its digital future, the challenge will not be whether to invest in technology, but how to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to benefit from it.
