The World Economic Forum (WEF) has said in its new report, which was published on Thursday, that the government delays in bringing improvements to the broadband network in South Africa is having a negative impact on the economic growth.

The report showed that South Africa was at the 70th place in the WEF rankings of 144 countries in 2013 for its ability to take benefits from the digital age. The WEF rankings were allotted on the basis of a country's regulatory and business environment, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and the subsequent impact on the economy and society.

The ranking showed that even as South Africa made progress in creating improved ICT infrastructure and bandwidth during the year. However, it was mainly due to the efforts of the private sector in Africa's largest economy. Experts at WEF pointed out that the nations using higher level of digital technology recorded faster rates of growth than others. Economists said that good internet connection can contribute between 0.25 per cent and 1.4 per cent to economic growth in a country.

The WEF warned that South Africa as well as other BRICS nations including Brazil, Russia, India and China might be missing out on the opportunity and economic prospects.