Access to technology

While 89% of the respondents do not own a computer themselves, the majority does have access to a computer, predominantly via Internet cafes. It is common practice among the respondents to have multiple SIM cards (52%). Over three quarters of the respondents have bought their own smartphone. 

There is a slight gender gap perceivable in computer access:

• 93% of women do not own a computer versus 86% of men;

• Of those without computers, 47% of women cannot access a computer somewhere else versus 39% of men.

• Female respondents are also 3 times more likely than males to have received their phone as gift, as opposed to having bought it themselves.

Using technology

• The respondents are using their phones for 4.7 months on average.

• 68% of the respondents are using their phone for 5 months or shorter.

• Over 92% says they know how to use the internet.

• 126 respondents name online chatting as a regular activity on their phone, more than double the number that says they regularly use their phone to call.

• Only a small minority accesses any government services on their smartphone (27 respondents, or 13%)

Learning about technology

• The most coveted skill among the respondents is knowing how to use apps on their phone: 55 respondents (26%) name this as something they want to learn

• A group of 26 confident respondents say there is nothing they would want to learn about their phone

• 22 respondents would want to learn how to use internet; this is a bigger group than the respondents that indicated they did not know how to use the internet

• A considerable amount of uncertainty relates to basic phone settings and usage: some 24 respondents say they would want to learn to adjust some basic phone setting or learn how to improve its battery life or storage