Abstract: | Although it is marginal within global cyberspace, Africa has recently seen rapid growth of the Internet, including average annual growth in users of 40 percent. This paper maps the changing configuration of the continent's telecommunications infrastructure, Internet users, the drivers of access to cyberspace, including income and literacy, and major obstacles to the technology's diffusion. Second, it turns to the political and economic implications of the African Internet, including government censorship, e-government, and electronic commerce. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract] |