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Seoul Learn: Education Reducing Poverty in South Korea

Poverty in South KoreaSouth Korea values its educational system. A big reason for their financial success lies in the country’s devotion to education. Many celebrate their accomplishments as highly educated South Korean students attend international universities and excel.

However, education in South Korea is very competitive. Additionally, economic differences among students exacerbate the situation. Students from low-income households do not have access to higher education. This leads to an educational gap between them and students who are financially better off. Hence, the difference in the opportunities available in the job market. Therefore, education intertwines with poverty in South Korea. In other words, it leads to generational poverty. This is where the technological education program named “Seoul Learn” enters the equation.

What is the “Seoul Learn?”

Launched in August 2021, “Seoul Learn” is a project that aims to address and improve the issue of educational inequality. This program recognizes the distinction in educational opportunities, as lower-class students come at a disadvantage.

Due to their socio-economic situation, these students experience difficulties in acquiring access to educational resources. “Seoul Learn” highlights that this results in generational poverty. This program emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic as the educational inequalities broadened. It intends to prevent inequality between students and make education equal for all.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) aspires to complete three distinct goals:

  • “A fair city of education”: Putting their focus on providing the necessary support to households with low earnings.
  • “A sustainable city of education”: Allowing students who are members of “Seoul Learn” to customize their educational content to benefit them in their lives.
  • “An innovative city of education”: Making the educational platforms more advanced by incorporating other educational technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A Fair City of Education

The first step that SMG completed was ensuring that the underprivileged students obtain devices to use for their studies. For example, tablets or computers to work on. Additionally, the government and the administration of education provided reliable internet services.

Interestingly, in recent years, the mayor of Seoul Oh Sehoon announced the “Seoul Run 3.0 Promotion Plan.” The project then made some changes in order to expand the eligibility of the recipients. The eligibility criteria were upgraded from households with nearly 60% of the median income to 80%. And thus, expanding the circle of targeted people, like the youth from the local children’s centers.

Research states that the number of students who can benefit from this upgrade increases from nearly 120,000 to 170,000.

In addition, entering this program begins with a qualification test conducted online. Following the completion of this quiz, students from vulnerable groups can thus join the community of “Seoul Learn.”

Within the project, there are significant objectives, such as eliminating the burden of private school expenses. The issue is that only private schools offer private content. However, with “Seoul Learn”, students from vulnerable groups then have the opportunity to acquire access to more advanced education.

A Sustainable City of Education

In 2025, an article reported how the project turned into a student-customized educational platform. New learning services were included in the program that have strengthened it. They are designed to better accommodate the students’ needs. Such learning services include:

  • “Real-time AI tutor”: a support that is targeted for young students who are a bit slower.
  • “1-on-1 essay monitoring”: customized support that focuses on high school students who are drafting their college essay. As students work, their questions would be immediately answered and their issues tackled.

An Innovative City of Education

The reorganization called “Seoul Run 3.0 Promotion Plan” focused on strengthening career dedication as well as the incorporation of AI in this platform. With the 2026 academic year, “Seoul Learn” planned to implement an AI system through the program. It will focus on how the members respond to the platform, and thus offer “customized counseling and career exploration.” The services incorporated, like ChatGPT and Gemini, allow the use of features that assist the students’ learning. For example, creating practice tests, image/video generation, lists of English vocabulary, and AI Q&A. Moreover, “Seoul Learn” doesn’t only concentrate on helping students improve their grades, but it also encourages them to plan their lives based on their developing abilities, invoking hope in students.

To Conclude

“Seoul Learn” aims to improve the situation of education and poverty at once in South Korea. This further demonstrates how “Seoul Learn” works towards helping students from low-income households to evaluate their potential fairly, just like any other student. This gives them a better chance of acquiring valuable employment in the competitive job market. And thus, poverty in South Korea is reduced through the mission of technological education.

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Amparo Confidence Sockets and Kenyan Amputees

Kenyan AmputeesIn Kenya, as of 2025, approximately 0.9% of the population is living with disabilities. Of that population, 42% experience disabilities related to motor function and 80% live in more rural parts of Kenya. Due to the nature of Kenya’s public health facilities, which often lack adequate equipment to provide more adapted amenities for Kenyans with mobility-related disabilities, a large number of Kenyans live with only the most basic levels of aid. 

Despite this, technology being deployed in the form of the Amparo Confidence Socket in Kenya has the capacity to modernize and revolutionize the lives of Kenyan amputees.

Causes of Amputations in Kenya

Around the world, amputations happen often for a plethora of reasons. In Kenya, a disproportionate number of amputations occur due to many different factors. For instance, in Kenya, around 550,000 people are living with diabetes, with more than one in three undiagnosed.

When diabetes is not managed, which can be the case when someone is living with undiagnosed diabetes, amputations may end up being the only form of treatment. Another factor is amputations related to trauma. In Kenya, 35.7% of amputations are a result of trauma-related incidents. 

Part of the high number of trauma-related incidents includes poor road infrastructure, which has the capacity to cause accidents weekly. Even with the different reasons as to how Kenya, as a country, ended up with a high portion of its population requiring aid in relation to their motor-related disabilities, there are still many barriers to achieving access to technology that could help. These barriers limit the availability and use of such technology.

The Amparo Confidence Socket

Designed for individuals with amputations in areas that often lack resources, the Amparo Confidence Socket was created as an “off-the-shelf prosthetic socket technology.” This allows for a more streamlined fitting process and increased portability. It makes the technology accessible to more rural communities.

The company Amparo, in partnership with the Global Disability Innovation Hub at University College London, deployed the Confidence Socket in Kenya as part of a clinical trial. The aim was to evaluate its effectiveness. It was later found that participants in the study had improved mobility after being fitted with the Confidence Socket. 

Despite some later complaints about decreased comfort, the Amparo Confidence Socket notably increased users’ access to prosthetic services. It also supported improved mobility outcomes.

Going Forward

The Amparo Confidence Socket has the capacity to truly revolutionize the experience of amputees in Kenya. There is still room for improvement in the comfort and long-term use of the Amparo Confidence Socket in Kenya. However, its introduction, along with its flexibility in transportation and fit, has the potential to revolutionize the lives of Kenyan amputees.

– Bernice Attawia 

Bernice is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Improvements in Maternal Health Care in Timor-Leste

Maternal Health Care in Timor-LesteTimor-Leste is a Southeast Asian country that constitutes half of the island of Timor. The country has a population of around 1.4 million and struggles with a relatively high poverty rate of more than 40%. Furthermore, structural challenges in the Timorese health care system have reportedly led to poor maternal health outcomes.

A lack of qualified specialists in maternal health care has partly explained how Timor-Leste has come to experience one of the highest mortality rates for new mothers in the Southeast Asian region. The rate stands at 195 per 100,000 births. However, a host of developments, both in national health planning and community organization efforts, have driven improvements in maternal health care outcomes.

Technology in Health Care: Liga Inan

Liga Inan, translated as “connecting mothers,” is a phone-based application first developed and implemented in the mid-2010s. The application facilitates communication between pregnant and postpartum mothers and their respective health care professionals specialized in maternal care. Its use was associated with increased staffing at birth and prompt postnatal care. Furthermore, this has led to its broader adoption within the public health network.

Upskilling: An Australian Training Program

In 2023, a dozen Timorese midwives and a nurse participated in a five-week training program in Queensland, Australia. The stated aim was to improve knowledge of maternal health care and, ultimately, reduce high maternal mortality rates. The participants were shown to possess improved knowledge and competence in several areas of maternal health care, including some emergency care, such as resuscitation.

One study showed that this type of upskilling could enhance knowledge in Timorese maternal health care if repeated. It sheds light on the impact of residential programs and provides a proven, effective framework.

Crisis Management: Mobile Maternity Clinics

The effects of humanitarian crises are felt acutely by the most vulnerable members of society, especially pregnant women. Following severe flash flooding in 2021, a collaboration between the Timorese Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) erected mobile maternity centers. These centers support displaced mothers and their children. 

This targeted support represents a strong prioritization of maternal health care in crisis planning and response procedures.

Prioritization in National Health Planning

Beyond crisis management and individual programs and organizations, Timor-Leste has solidified its commitment to improving maternal health care by integrating it into its national health planning. The country’s National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 prioritized “maternal care” and set specific targets for maternal health care. As such, Timor-Leste can continue making progress in maternal health care beyond spontaneous efforts. 

Conclusion

The case of maternal health care in Timor-Leste demonstrates that a country with a high relative poverty rate and structural barriers in its health care system can make significant progress. This can be achieved through targeted, informed state planning, effective mobilization of community partners and leveraging new medical technologies.

– Phoebe Lang-Clapp

Phoebe is based in Montréal, Québec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Working With Seaturns To Strengthen Mauritius’ Ocean Economy

Mauritius' Ocean EconomyIn March 2026, a two-megawatt (MW) wave energy pilot project was announced and launched in Mauritius, an island nation in East Africa. Developed by the French company Seaturns in partnership with Taylor Smith Group, a privately owned family business in Mauritius, it is designed to be grid-connected to the Central Electricity Board (CEB). This pilot project represents a significant step in the company’s full-scale trials scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

Wave energy is a renewable, high-density power source generated by harnessing the movement of ocean surface waves. In Mauritius, wave energy is vital for assessing renewable energy potential, informing coastal protection against erosion and planning marine infrastructure. This project aligns with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

It contributes to the implementation of the European strategy, as defined in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Ocean Energy (SRIA) 2024. Seaturns is also supported by the FRANCE 2030 program, run by Business France. This project aims to keep Mauritius on the path to a better future since it gained independence.

Staying Above the Poverty Line

Mauritius has been above the poverty line since the late ’80s. By changing the trajectory it was on after gaining independence in 1968, the country set poverty on a path toward eradication. By 2017, extreme poverty had been virtually eradicated. 

In recent years, poverty has remained relatively stable at around 7%. With Seaturns being developed with support from the local company Taylor Smith Group, the project aims to create local job opportunities within the maritime sector.

Seaturns’ Goals

The Seaturns technology features a floating, cylindrical buoy that harnesses wave motion for power generation. Choosing Mauritius was a strategic choice for Seaturns. Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and has high-potential, consistent wave energy resources and a commitment to change. 

The project is part of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA) initiative. The initiative supports Mauritius’s energy transition, aims to expand to 10 MW in the future and seeks to establish Mauritius as a regional hub for wave energy technology in the Indian Ocean. In 2025, Mauritius emitted 6.96 megatonnes of CO₂e.

Mauritius relies heavily on fossil fuels, mainly oil and oil products. In 2023 alone, the total energy supply in Mauritius accounted for nearly 62%. With Seaturns providing a clean energy solution, the project helps decrease the island nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation. With a goal of reducing GHG emissions by 40% by 2030, Seaturns is a stepping stone for other countries to follow Mauritius’ footsteps. 

Countries have the opportunity to learn from this pilot project in Mauritius and become active in lowering their GHG emissions while advancing the blue economy.

The Blue Economy

The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean, sea and coastal resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. Mauritius joined this economy in 2013 to become a large ocean state and updated that goal in 2023. Being surrounded by water, Mauritius has a high economic dependence on the ocean relative to its landmass, which has driven its interest in ocean energy.

This economy is vital for poverty reduction in Mauritius, aiming to diversify beyond tourism and sugar by leveraging its large Exclusive Economic Zone. The Mauritian ocean economy contributed 10% to 12% of GDP in 2026. Given that the ocean economy is relatively new, Mauritius is seizing the opportunity to expand in a positive direction.

With the ocean economy growing 2.5 times since 1995, outpacing other global sectors, wave energy is yet another stepping stone toward combating climate instability. Wave energy provides a consistent, renewable and emission-free source of electricity.

Final Remarks

Ocean energy is a relatively new, untapped renewable energy source. It has the potential to cut GHG emissions by up to 3.60 gigatonnes per year in 2050. As countries implement more stringent measures to limit GHG emissions, using renewable resources is a key element toward a better future. 

– Elizabeth Fryer

Elizabeth is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia

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The Incorporation of the InnovAgro Program in Agriculture in Algeria

InnovAgroAgriculture is a significant art and science that deals with crop production. Additionally, in Algeria, it is a major part of the country. A big section of the country’s economy depends on it, and many people rely on it either for food or employment. Recently, a relevant technological program has emerged to improve the situation and create opportunities for innovators called “InnovAgro.”

What is the InnovAgro program?

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro Enterprises founded InnovAgro, a porgram mixing agriculture in Algeria with modernity. By targeting entrepreneurs whose creative ideas carry a lot of potential to be successful, the mission of this program is to offer such entrepreneurs the necessary support to bring their innovations to life.

However, support is not the only thing that the program provides. It additionally offers impactful guidance to effectively conduct their operations. The aim is to turn clever proposals into useful solutions for farming. This program is part of the “Development of Digital and Green Entrepreneurship” project. Additionally, the program also receives funds from the European and German unions, with the German Agency handling its sophisticated implementation.

Selecting Entrepreneurs

Many people have intelligent ideas regarding technological innovations that could help make farming life simpler. However, the question lies in choosing which ideas to invest in. In the competitive event “Agripreneurs Challenge,” participants create potential solutions that involve the incorporation of AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and drone technology. The selection process recognizes which proposals are most likely to improve agriculture. The purpose of this competition is to guarantee that the program’s funding goes towards the projects with the most promising future.

Future plans

The principal goal of the InnovAgro project is to address significant issues in farming, such as water scarcity and land management, as well as to monitor the crops in real time with the use of technology. As the program is still fresh, these goals can be demonstrated through previous studies.

Water scarcity has been a crucial issue in agriculture, especially in countries like Algeria. This is due to its dry climate, unreliable rainfall, and the increase in evaporation rates.

This is where technology enters the equation to improve the result. In a 2024 study, researchers highlight how, with the integration of IoT in farming, sensors can record real data. This data involves the soil’s moisture and luminance, as well as the temperature. Integrating this technology gives way to managing agricultural resources with precision. Moreover, studies have shown that the use of IoT in agriculture diminishes the rate of waste and thus assists in lowering costs. In addition, it helps increase productivity in resources like water, energy, and land.

A more recent study in 2025 applauds the significant optimization in resources because of technology. It is reported that water consumption was reduced by 43% while simultaneously showing a development in crop yields.

Land management

Drone technology can help detect signs of stress, pest infestation or diseases on the land, helping farmers make the necessary decisions to improve their crop production. A 2024 research paper on Tanzania reports the fundamental skill of drones in capturing “high-resolution, localized imagery of crops”.  The data extracted from the visual images allows the prevention of blanket treatments and chemical use. This is because the information that the drones provide permits the workers to recognize exactly when to intervene and when not to. Additionally, this way there are fewer input costs and environmental consequences.

Moving forward

The InnovAgro program aims to bring technology and agriculture together with technological projects that focus on IoT, drone technology, and so on. The purpose is to help reduce waste and improve crop production. By reporting some examples like the above, the entrepreneurs who are crafting their ideas might gain some inspiration. They could use these similar perspectives to upgrade their own projects before entering the “Agripeneurs Challenge.” This program wants to motivate this “new generation of innovators,” targeting growth, strengthening national food security, and making a positive impact in managing resources.

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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AI Diagnostics in Rwanda Could Strengthen Frontline Health Care

AI Diagnostics in RwandaAI diagnostics in Rwanda are drawing attention because they suggest a practical way to strengthen health care in places where medical staff are stretched thin. In low-resource settings, frontline health workers often face difficult clinical questions with limited equipment, few specialists and heavy patient demand. Rwanda’s recent research suggests that artificial intelligence could help close part of that gap by supporting health workers rather than replacing them.

Why Health Care Access Matters in Rwanda

This matters because poverty and health care are closely connected in Rwanda. World Bank data shows that 27.4% of the population lives below the national poverty line and 38.55% lives below the $3-a-day international poverty line. When families live with limited income, delays in diagnosis, transport costs and shortages in local care can make treatment harder to reach and more expensive in practice.

Rwanda has made major health gains, but access challenges remain. Government information says the country has about 58,000 community health workers and 66% of them are women. These workers are often the first link between communities and the formal health system. They monitor health at the village level, provide basic services and refer patients when cases become more serious. That makes better decision support at the community level especially important.

What the Study Found

A February 2026 study published in Nature Health tested five large language models using real clinical questions from Rwanda’s community health system. Researchers built a dataset of 5,609 questions submitted by 101 community health workers across four districts. They compared responses from Gemini-2, GPT-4o, o3-mini, DeepSeek R1 and Meditron-70B with answers from local clinicians. In a subset of 524 question-and-answer pairs scored across 11 expert-rated metrics, Gemini-2 and GPT-4o performed best and all five models outperformed local clinicians across every metric measured.

The cost difference made the findings even more striking. The study reported that clinician-generated answers cost an average of $5.43 per question for general practitioners and $3.80 for nurses. Model-generated responses cost about $0.0035 in English and $0.0044 in Kinyarwanda. Even when performance dropped slightly in Kinyarwanda, the models still outperformed clinicians and remained more than 500 times cheaper per response. For a health system trying to stretch limited resources, that level of efficiency matters.

Why AI Diagnostics in Rwanda Could Help

The promise of AI diagnostics in Rwanda is not only about answering questions faster. It is also about helping frontline workers decide when a case may be urgent, when symptoms point to a likely condition and when a patient should receive a referral for higher-level care. In settings where staff shortages and access gaps create pressure on the system, stronger support for frontline workers could improve speed, consistency and patient outcomes. Rwanda’s own health labor market analysis has documented workforce constraints and uneven distribution of health professionals, especially in lower-resource settings.

Rwanda is also building systems that could help these tools work at scale. In April 2025, the Ministry of Health launched the National Health Intelligence Center, a platform designed to collect and process real-time health data for evidence-based decisions. That matters because useful AI tools need more than strong models. They also need data systems, implementation planning and oversight.

International support is also growing in that direction. In January 2026, OpenAI and the Gates Foundation announced Horizon 1000, a $50 million initiative beginning in Rwanda. The goal is to support leaders in African countries, starting with Rwanda, and reach 1,000 primary health care clinics and surrounding communities by 2028. Reuters reported that the effort aims to improve health care delivery in places facing severe health worker shortages.

What Still Needs To Be Proven

Still, this story is not just about excitement over new technology. In February 2026, Wellcome, the Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation launched the Evidence for AI in Health initiative, backed by $60 million to support locally led evaluations of AI tools in low- and middle-income countries. That matters because governments need evidence on what works, where it adds value and how it can be used responsibly. In Rwanda, language quality, privacy safeguards, clinical safety and real-world implementation will shape whether these tools truly help patients.

AI will not replace doctors, nurses or community health workers. But it may help them do more with limited time and limited resources. That is what makes AI diagnostics in Rwanda worth watching. If Rwanda continues to pair innovation with evidence, oversight and local implementation, this approach could become a strong example of how technology can expand access to quality care in places that need it most.

– Adriana Carolina Herrera

Adriana is based in Mentor, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How IoT Sensors Are Helping Moroccan Farmers Fight Drought

IoT SensorsMorocco’s agricultural sector is at a turning point as the country faces increased water scarcity, climate instability and pressure on food security. As drought conditions intensify, many Moroccan farmers are turning to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart irrigation technology to protect their crops and livelihoods. 

Agriculture remains a significant part of Morocco’s economy. Around 40% of Morocco’s workforce is employed in agriculture, meaning millions of livelihoods depend on stable harvests. At the same time, the sector contributes between 13% and 20% of the country’s GDP, making water shortages not only an environmental issue but also a major economic challenge. 

Water management is also crucial, as only 15% of Morocco’s cultivated land is irrigated. Yet, this land produces about 75% of the country’s agricultural exports. With so much production reliant on limited irrigation systems, improving smart irrigation technology has become essential to maintaining crop yields during droughts. 

IoT Sensors in Morocco

To address these challenges, IoT sensors are helping Moroccan farmers monitor soil health and manage water more efficiently. These smart sensors collect real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels and pH, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation and fertilization. Farmers can then use this data to apply the precise amount of water their crops need rather than relying on traditional estimates. 

According to industry reports, adopting smart agricultural technologies and IoT sensors in Morocco has already led to a 20% increase in water-use efficiency. A key technology that supports this transformation is the Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN). It enables low-cost sensors to transmit data across large rural areas. 

Agricultural organizations and technology developers are deploying these sensors directly in farmers’ fields, making digital solutions more accessible to small-scale farmers. These technologies are also improving crop stability. Even with less water overall, delivering irrigation at the precise moment plants need it can improve crop quality and maintain yields. 

For many smallholder Moroccan farmers, this reliability can mean the difference between a successful harvest and a failed season. 

Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Morocco

Despite its promise, IoT technology alone cannot solve Morocco’s agricultural challenges. Several barriers still limit the widespread adoption of smart agriculture tools. First, the upfront costs of IoT sensors and digital irrigation systems can still pose a risk for farmers operating on narrow profit margins. 

While the technology is relatively affordable compared to traditional equipment, many small-scale farmers need financial support to adopt it. Second, digital literacy remains a challenge. Farmers must learn to interpret soil data and integrate it into daily farming decisions. 

Finally, there remain infrastructure gaps in rural regions. LoRaWAN networks rely on communication gateways that transmit sensor data over long distances, making the expansion of connectivity in remote agricultural areas essential.

Looking Ahead

Morocco is investing heavily in long-term solutions to its growing water crisis. The government’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy aims to expand water-saving irrigation systems to “one million hectares” of farmland by 2030. At the same time, digital agriculture is becoming a national priority, with many programs supporting smart irrigation tools, satellite monitoring and connected soil sensors. 

If these initiatives continue to expand, especially for smallholder farmers, technologies like IoT sensors could become a key part of Morocco’s strategy to protect harvests and conserve water. They could also help build a more climate-resilient agricultural sector.

– Ines Wargui

Ines is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Ways 5G Could Reduce Poverty in Ghana

3 Ways 5G Could Reduce Poverty in Ghana As of March 2026, Ghana’s 5G network is online in selected cities: the capital, Accra, as well as Kumasi and Tamale. Network operator Next Gen InfraCo holds exclusive rights to provide 5G services in the West African nation and aims to extend coverage to 70% of Ghana’s population of 35 million by 2027.

The 5G network is expected to improve mobile internet speeds significantly and support emerging technologies such as advanced digital intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI). Existing industries, including agriculture, health care and education, are also expected to benefit. By expanding access to critical services and resources, the 5G rollout is expected to gradually ease poverty in Ghana over the coming years.

Here are three ways 5G could reduce poverty in Ghana.

Precision Farming and Agriculture

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, director-general of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), spoke in March 2026 about the new 5G network’s capacity to develop the agricultural industry:

“For 5G, there are use cases for industries. We expect deployments… in agriculture. Services that are not possible today will become possible because of the speeds and high capacity that 5G will deliver.”

5G’s capability to assist agriculture stems from its ability to deliver large quantities of sensor data at high speeds. Farmers will be able to track weather conditions and crop health from Internet of Things (IoT) remote sensors. High-resolution images assessing the condition of fields and crops will be easier to receive.

With 5G, farmers are set to be more resilient to climate change and other volatilities, increasing the stability of Ghana’s internal crop and livestock markets. Food may therefore become cheaper and more accessible, helping rural communities that have typically been vulnerable to famine.

Telemedicine and Health Care

As in agriculture, 5G’s capacity to transfer large quantities of data quickly will have effects on Ghana’s health care system. Health care access in Ghana has traditionally been concentrated in urban areas, including Greater Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, in which 81% of the population has access to primary health care.

However, despite the relatively high rate of primary health care access, 30% of the population must travel far to receive primary health care. In rural and remote areas, quality health care access is far rarer and has been a persistent challenge through shortages of essential medical equipment and supplies, inadequate health care infrastructure and long distances to services.

Through 5G, existing software and digital intelligence will improve, allowing health care professionals to see more patients with greater efficiency. In rural areas, rather than traveling, patients will have access to live remote consultations. High bandwidth, reaching up to 10 Gbps, enhances the quality of telehealth services by allowing the transmission of large medical files and high-definition video.

Role of Education

Education is a critical process in the alleviation of poverty. Ghana’s rural communities have traditionally been affected by unequal education access, falling behind urban areas in both the quality and provision of education.

Although there remain some issues related to the distribution of device access, 5G has the potential to benefit education systems in rural, impoverished areas. 5G will permit real-time video conferencing and collaborative online tools, ensuring that students can access quality education regardless of the remoteness of their location.

Looking Ahead

Through its capacity to process, send and receive data quickly, 5G is set to have an impact on the agriculture, health care and education sectors in Ghana. Rural and remote communities that have typically been excluded from development may gain greater access to critical services, supporting long-term efforts to reduce poverty in Ghana.

– Arthur Horsey

Arthur is based in Hampshire, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Internet Shutdown in Iran

Internet Shutdown in IranOn Jan. 8, 2026, the internet in Iran took a serious hit as all network services shut down. This issue was brought on by the government establishing its control over Iranians’ internet access. This significantly disrupted Iranians’ access to online communication and digital services. One of the factors that resulted from this situation is a financial hit for certain citizens, as some businesses relied on the internet. Additionally, in an immigration agency, 46 employees had no choice but to go on mandatory leave for the duration of weeks. However, there are solutions to aid this situation, such as help from different countries and a software tool.

Potential European Support

According to the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), help can be offered for the Iranians to acquire connectivity from France and the United Kingdom. France and the U.K. have the capacity to use their own satellite terminals. A significant option to the internet issue in Iran is the Eutelsat satellite terminal. It can be used to transmit online network service from space to regions in need, providing internet connection to Iran. Furthermore, in case there is a risk of another disconnection, Iranians could then send messages offline with the help of Bluetooth technology.

Snowflake: A Circumvention Tool

A way for the Iranians’ situation to improve is with the help of a software tool called Snowflake. Anyone in possession of a device can help through the following steps. 

A volunteer downloads Snowflake software on their device. It is a convenient extension that can be used on all the common browsers that internet users are familiar with. This software works through the Tor Project, which is constructed with the intent to bypass internet censorship. However, the issue is that there are times when the user’s identity can be recognized. It is here that Snowflake becomes necessary.

Once this software is activated, the user’s computer registers with a broker. This broker enables Iranian users to use a volunteer’s location as their own. The volunteer’s Snowflake proxy will serve as the temporary location for the Iranian user.

A significant part of this procedure is that the identities of both parties are concealed and not revealed to the public. The volunteer has the right to know if someone has used their address. However, the Iranian’s personal information is undisclosed. The volunteer outside Iran will then act as a sort of bridge for an Iranian user. This software prioritizes the safety of both users, as their data is secure.

According to Amir Rashidi, this software includes a component called the Starlink satellite system. This system connects to satellites in low-earth orbit, which in turn avoids terrestrial filters.

Rashidi recommended that people who live in Iran or other countries with unstable internet download the Snowflake extension or application when they get the chance. This will help them have internet access in times of crisis.

Looking Ahead

The internet is an important part of daily life. With Iranians losing access, that brings challenges. However, many solutions can be provided with help from outside Iran. Countries like France and the U.K. could use their satellite terminals to provide Iranians with connections. The software tool Snowflake facilitates people outside Iran to help those in Iran. These solutions show that Iranians have opportunities to acquire an internet connection with international support.

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

Tackling Digital Poverty in PunjabTackling digital poverty in Punjab is currently one of the highest priorities in achieving fair access to education. There is a low level of digital literacy in Punjab as a result of socioeconomic constraints, gender inequality and rural-urban divides. Rural and marginalized populations have limited device ownership, inadequate connectivity and high levels of digital illiteracy. Within the education system, children from low-income households, rural communities and female students face additional hurdles because of digital poverty.

In India, for every household that is online, about one household remains offline. This gap underscores how digital poverty is shaping educational outcomes and the scale of the challenge in addressing it. Academic performance is impacted by the digital divide. Disadvantaged learners face reduced educational persistence and limited career prospects.

To ensure fair access and inclusion for all students and to create equal opportunities both in school and in the job market later in life, digital poverty has become a pressing issue for India and Punjab.

POISE and Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors is addressing digital poverty in Punjab to improve education through the Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) program. An investment of $286 million has been made available for the project, which uses technology to monitor learning outcomes.

The investment means that 1.3 million primary school students are enrolled and more than 2.2 million secondary school students are also attending classes. In addition, 592,000 students in early childhood education will receive support through POISE. Digital infrastructure in schools will be expanded through the installation of computer labs, tablets and projectors, particularly for science and mathematics curricula.

Creating a Future Without Digital Poverty in Punjab

Paul Proccee, acting country director for the World Bank India, stated that “digital infrastructure has the potential to significantly drive economic development and poverty reduction.” He also noted that digital infrastructure can help fulfill “India’s vision of Viksit Bharat through quality education for better jobs.” 

Meghna Sharma and Ragnvald Michel Maellberg, task team leaders for the program, stated that “POISE will help to improve school readiness at pre-primary level, foundational learning at primary level, skills at the secondary level for school to higher education or work transition, as well as teacher training and school management.”

In recent years, India has shifted toward technology-led development. The aims of POISE include strengthening readiness for school, improving literacy and numeracy skills, enhancing the quality of STEM education and improving pathways into higher education and employment for students.

Looking Ahead

Tackling digital poverty in Punjab has the potential to transform education and expand opportunities for many students. The Digital Poverty Alliance has emphasized that digital poverty limits social and economic inclusion. The issue involves not only a lack of access to technology but also a lack of digital literacy and skills, which are essential in an increasingly connected world. POISE in Punjab represents a step toward ensuring that, regardless of background, more students have access to the opportunities created by the digital age.

– Suneel Mehmi

Suneel is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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