EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL INCLUSION STRATEGIES ON YOUTH SOCIO-ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN AREKA, WOLAITA ZONE​

This study examined the relationship between digital inclusion strategies and youth socio-economic empowerment in Areka, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess youth access to digital technologies and infrastructure. Aconvergent mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 292 youth aged 18–34 years, selected via stratified random sampling. Qualitative data were gathered through 50 semi-structured interviews and five focus group discussions (50 participants in total), purposively selected to provide deeper insights. The study was anchored in the Digital Divide Theory and Empowerment Theory. The findings revealed that while smartphone access was relatively high (mean = 3.31), access to laptops (mean = 2.25) and tablets (mean = 1.93) remained low. Internet connectivity scored a moderate mean of 2.96, with most youth relying on costly mobile data. Although digital tools improved educational opportunities and employability, youth engagement in digital entrepreneurship remained low. Barriers identified included high costs of devices and internet, weak digital infrastructure, and socio-cultural constraints, particularly gender disparities affecting young women. The study concluded that digital inclusion contributes positively to youth socio-economic empowerment but is hindered by affordability and infrastructural gaps. It is recommended that policymakers and development partners: (i) subsidize devices and internet costs to improve affordability and (iii) invest in broadband infrastructure for rural and semi-urban areas. Future research should focus on long-term impacts of digital inclusion and explore gender-specific barriers affecting rural youth