Press & PR

The United Nations (UN) has pledged to look at ways of increasing the proliferation of broadband internet access in Africa.

According to the body, better high-speed internet infrastructure could see the cost of access tumble from the current rates, which are prohibitively high at the most expensive in the world.

Mohsen Khalil, director of global ICT at the World Bank Group, commented: "When you give access to a human being, you unleash the power of human innovation and entrepreneurship.

"It is really so powerful - all they need is access."

The move could be good news for the continent's economy, but also for the growing number of backpackers, gap year students and volunteers who head to Africa each year.

Such individuals may be able to use a wider proliferation of broadband access to take advantage of VoIP products and make cheap international calls to the UK.

The Year Out Group recently reported that Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya are all in the top ten destinations for gap year travellers.