Planting digital seeds in Africa’s villages

J-STORIES – Africa’s increasing young population, abundant resources, and rapid development turned it into a rising frontier of the 21st century. But the development of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is still behind. In 2023, only 40% of Africa’s population had broadband access. Moreover, the rural areas are cut off from the existing network; 60% of the population, or around 700 million people, live in these areas.

On the way to the village - Local people watching videos and swiping through apps using the Wi-Fi provided by Dots for. Source: Dots for

As ICT is essential to economic development, a Japanese venture company set up shop to help with the situation. The company, called Dots for Inc., aims to provide permanent internet access in rural areas and, in doing so, help improve the lives of the residents. Expanding the internet will unlock several opportunities, such as obtaining remote services and jobs, watching training videos, receiving telemedicine, matching sales of agricultural products, etc.

People using the communication system distributed by Dots for in Senegal. This meshwork device sends signals across 130-140 cm in length, so if it's a small village, one would be enough.     Source: Dots for — People using the communication system distributed by Dots for in Senegal. This meshwork device sends signals across 130-140 cm in length, so if it's a small village, one would be enough. Source: Dots for

Dots for's main goal is to “create a society where 200 million people living in rural areas of West Africa connect to the internet and use it to its fullest by 2030.”

Internet village people

Dots for Inc. was established in October by CEO Carlos Oba, a former world backpacker. With many overseas projects under his belt, he began his company in Benin, West Africa, then expanded to Senegal. In less than a year, his company has built ICT infrastructure in 50 villages, then expanded to 150 villages by February 2024.

Local people using their smartphones connected to the communication system distributed by Dots for.     Source: Dots for — Local people using their smartphones connected to the communication system distributed by Dots for. Source: Dots for

The app can be used without difficulty.     Source: Dots for — The app can be used without difficulty. Source: Dots for

The video don’t get stuck midway.     Source: Dots for — The video don’t get stuck midway. Source: Dots for

To establish an internet maintenance business in rural villages, Dots for has adopted a “distributed communication” system. In this system, multiple wireless Wi-Fi routers equipped with “mesh network technology” are installed instead of the conventional star-side network centered on a base station. Mesh networks are usually used in areas with weak internet connections, like outdoors or disaster areas. By deploying these in rural areas, the company can build wireless network infrastructure at a low cost.

The introduction of local villages by CEO Carlos Oba. Source: Dots for

To establish an internet maintenance business in rural villages, Dots has adopted a “distributed communication” system. In this system, multiple wireless Wi-Fi routers equipped with “mesh network technology” are installed instead of the conventional star-side network centered on a base station. Mesh networks are usually used in areas with weak internet connections, like outdoors or disaster areas. By deploying these in rural areas, the company can build wireless network infrastructure at a low cost.

Besides infrastructure development, Dots for also plans to build a digital platform for the latest information. Residents using the wireless network via their smartphones can access digital content and services on servers also set up in the village. This system can become a catalyst for change in the "current situation where people are disadvantaged because they were born in a rural village," said Oba.

CEO Carlos Oba (back row, center) and COO Sho Nakata (back row, right) with the company’s initial members in Benin.      Source: Dots for — CEO Carlos Oba (back row, center) and COO Sho Nakata (back row, right) with the company’s initial members in Benin. Source: Dots for

Obstacles and Opportunities

The project has not been a walk in the park, however. One of the biggest challenges for CEO Oba was how to convince the residents and make them feel comfortable. He said that he and his staff members are seen as “intrusive outsiders” with language and cultural barriers. That’s why the company made efforts to gain the trust of the local community by employing managers and staff from the same area. According to the company, as of February 2024, 31 local staff members were working on Internet infrastructure construction in both Benin and Senegal.

The Japanese government has also recognized the feasibility of Dots for’s endeavor and its potential to change local lives, so the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry supported the company’s projects in Benin (started in November 2021) and in Senegal (began in September 2022).

In September 2023, Dots raised a total of 100 million yen from multiple start-up investment funds and angel investors. The company was nominated in November 2023 for the ICT Start-up League, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

“My goal is to improve the quality of lives of those living in rural regions,” Oba told J-STORIES. “Whether getting education or job security, preparing the infrastructure and environment would be the first step for everything,” he added.