Often, in the fast-paced advances in technology, the elderly are seen as a section of the population that is lagging behind.
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Technology is moving fast. Every aspect of our lives is increasingly intertwined with some gadget or a new app. Most of us seem to be okay with it, and we’d be right. After all, technology is making life easier, and you aren’t an old person, right? Therein lies the problem: the decoupling of the elderly from technological progress.
Often, in the fast-paced advances in technology, the elderly are seen as a section of the population that is lagging behind. The whole attitude of tech towards the elderly is “We can’t wait for you. Either catch up or get left behind.” And in Ethiopia, as we’ll see later in this article, this problem is very pronounced. And worse, few people pay attention to it.
The Elderly in Ethiopia
If you met a person who’s more than sixty years old, then they have experienced Ethiopia’s change like no one else. A country that had few phone lines beyond city centers in the 60s is currently using only digital payments for government services.
Ethiopia's rapid technological advancements have launched the nation (though a bit clumsily) into a digital era, often bypassing traditional infrastructure. For instance, mobile banking services were introduced in Ethiopia in 2015, a time when ATM penetration was still limited. In contrast, many developed countries had already established robust ATM networks by that time.
The main point here is that there’s rapid change. Add that to the low literacy rate of the elderly, which stands at a measly 15.2%, and one can easily see how technological adoption might be difficult for the elderly.
There are studies that prove this, too. A systematic review and meta-analysis of agricultural technology adoption by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia found that aging constrains technology adoption. Specifically, a one-year increase in a farmer's age was associated with a 1.38-unit reduction in the probability of adopting agricultural technology. The key reasons outlined were low literacy, risk aversion, and lack of access to information.
Furthermore, we know that aging often leads to a gradual loss of senses such as hearing, sight, and fine motor skills, all of which make interacting with digital devices even more challenging. So, the question we need to ask is, are nationwide tech products (such as banking apps) considering these factors when designing their products?
Obviously, no
Granted, elderly folks tend to be risk-averse and more conservative. So, convincing them to use new technology can be difficult. However, the technology they are asked to adopt often fails to consider their limitations. Too often, they are simply told to “pay with Telebirr,” and when they ask why, the answer is “በሌላ አይቻልም”. Instead, proper guidance and clear explanations must be provided, such as step-by-step instructions, patient demonstrations, and reasons behind the processes. Only by addressing both their practical and cognitive needs can we ensure that technology truly becomes accessible, rather than alienating a generation that helped build the society now navigating the digital age.
Of course, that doesn’t mean every developer should treat the elderly as their primary audience. However, even a little consideration can go a long way. When we talk about a “Digital Ethiopia” or celebrate “Ethiopia’s transformation,” we must remember that Ethiopia includes the elderly too. Without them, there is no truly digital Ethiopia.
