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Bridging the digital gap between Africa and the developed world

09/22/2003 Kenya (CATIA) -- During the past two decades the world has experienced a profound transformation in the field of information and communication technology. As voiced by the United Nations Secretary General, the use of ICT has changed our daily lives. But it has created a gap between the North and the South. While developed countries enjoy wide use of ICT, African countries are struggling hard to have access to new technology.

In Africa this digital gap is clearly reflected in the limited access to ICT facilities and resources. In most African countries Internet connections, home telephone lines and television sets are expensive and few households can afford to pay them. Only those who can afford the new technologies can benefit. As a consequence, people cannot enjoy their right to have free and large access to information. The lack of telecommunication infrastructures in rural areas has slowed down the development of agriculture and other economic activities such as industry, fishing, trade and transportation.

Given this situation, a wide range of actions needs to be taken to bridge the gap between Africa and the developed world. This implies a national and international commitment.
In their pursuit of the public interest, African governments can raise awareness, facilitate access to information for the public by promoting the teaching of ICT in schools and universities. They can also implement policies to create structures aimed to use information and communication technology for development purposes to improve the quality of life and social services and stimulate economic growth.

United Nations organizations and agencies as well as non-governmental organizations can help narrow the gap between Africa and the rest of the world. This can be done by providing African policy makers with access to international thinking on policy and technology development, and a forum of discussion. This can also be done if at an international level they look beyond pure technology at the way in which ICT is distributed and used to meet the needs of people in Africa.

Africa can be a better place to live in if the people have free and large access to information and communication technology, if they can enjoy the use of sophisticated computers, radio and television sets, home telephone lines and satellite. Information can help alleviate poverty, improve the education delivery, healthcare services, water supply, the circulation of goods and services, the access to the exterior market and free trade. It can also help reinforce democracy by making government accessible and accountable to people. The role of ICT as a key point in the development process is clearly recognized by African leaders who try at their best to come together through regional and sub regional organizations. The New Partnership For Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which was launched in July 2001 aims to eradicate poverty and stimulate economic growth. Knowing the importance of ICT in this process, NEPAD initiators have created the e-Africa Commission as a sub committee to deal with ICT issues. There are also sub regional organizations like The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), The Telecommunications Regulators Association for Southern Africa (TRASA), The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Association (WATRA), The East African Regulatory Postal and Telecommunications Organization (EARPTO) etc. Their mission is to promote economic integration in all fields of economy particularly industry, agriculture, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters. The African Information society Initiative (AISI), which was created in 1996, is working to implement national information and communication infrastructure plans in all African countries.

There is no doubt that Africa is far behind the developed world as far as the access to ICT is concerned. But the image of the continent in the information society is changing as African policy makers are aware of the importance of ICT in the development process and doing their best to move from marginalization to globalization.

In interaction with international organizations which led ICT policy making at an international level, they have more access to forum of discussion where the digital gap is on the high agenda. Rich countries have recognized the continent’s rich cultural heritage and its potential as an ICT marketplace.

Date: 09/22/2003
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Source: CATIA
Contact: By Ngathie DIOP