Johannesburg – In a continent bursting with innovation and ambition, digital transformation is accelerating – but not everyone is keeping pace.
Despite growing mobile adoption, many African women remain on the wrong side of the digital divide, held back by systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing the full benefits of the internet.
In fact, the GSMA suggests that women in low- and middle-income countries are 15% less likely than men to use mobile internet, with these numbers rising to over 30% in Africa.
High data costs remain a major barrier, with nearly half of women entrepreneurs in Africa reporting that they’ve had to limit their internet use due to unaffordability.
In this context, affordable digital access is more than just a convenience, but a catalyst for inclusion, growth, and empowerment.
And that’s exactly where Opera Mini is making a difference.
By reducing data usage by up to 90% through its renowned compression technology, Opera Mini helps women browse smarter, faster, and for longer, without draining their data.
Whether it’s a student submitting assignments, a mother accessing parenting support groups, or an entrepreneur running an online business, women across the continent are turning to Opera Mini to stay connected, informed, and in control.
Moreover, with free daily data – adding up to 3GB per month – offered through a partnership in South Africa with MTN, that access is becoming even more inclusive.
“Women across the continent are rewriting the script, using digital tools not just to survive, but to grow, influence, and lead their communities,” explained Kseniia Sycheva, Senior Global Communications Manager at Opera.
“Opera Mini is proud to be part of that story. By offering a smarter, lighter, and more affordable way to browse, we’re helping women unlock the full potential of the internet, and themselves.”
Opera’s broader contribution goes beyond cost savings.
The browser serves as a gateway to essential digital services, providing access to e-learning, e-commerce, job portals, public health content, and more, while running seamlessly on even entry-level Android devices.
For women managing households, careers, studies, or all three, Opera Mini becomes more than just a browser, but a digital companion.
“We’ve partnered with mobile operators across key African markets, such as MTN in South Africa, to offer free daily browsing,” said Sycheva.
“This kind of access is a game-changer, particularly for women who might otherwise have to choose between staying online or meeting basic needs.”
The ripple effect is real, with reports estimating that bridging the mobile internet gender gap in developing countries could contribute an additional $1.3 trillion in GDP growth by the end of the decade.
With millions of Opera Mini users across Africa, many of whom are women breaking boundaries online, the browser is helping shape a more connected and inclusive future.
“When you lower the barriers to digital access, you don’t just give women an affordable way to browse, but provide them with a platform to create, to be heard, and to lead,” said Sycheva.
