 | Issue: | Global-ICT 2003 |
| Article no.: | 3 | |
| Topic: | Access To Information and Communications Technology In Africa | |
| Author: | Omar Kabbaj | |
| Title: | President | |
| Organisation: | African Development Bank Group | |
| PDF size: | 100KB |
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Article abstract
Information and communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to Africa’s, economic development, to its human development and to the good governance of each of its many countries. The latest ICT can also help Africa leapfrog several generations of development. At yearend 2002, Africa had only 2% of the world’s Internet users, 2% of its telephones and 3% of its cell phones. Without increased ICT access, Africa will be unable to even maintain, its already low level of engagement in the global economy.
Full Article
Information and communications technology (ICT), involving innovations in microelectronics, computing, and telecommunications enables the processing and storage of enormous amounts of information, along with its rapid distribution through communication networks. ICT consists of three critical elements: information infrastructure (II); information technologies (IT); and information applications (IA). Modern advances in ICT have enabled dramatic increases in the efficiency of systems for the generation and delivery of information, while simultaneously injecting synergetic efficiencies into knowledge acquisition and creation. Recent advances in these areas are becoming central to the process of socio-economic development as information technology offers new ways of exchanging information and transacting business. Indeed, the world is rapidly moving towards knowledge-based economic structures and information societies. In the first decade of the 21st century, it is becoming clear that information technology is affecting nearly every facet of human activity. Sophisticated and innovative technological systems are becoming common features of many workplaces and homes. This digital and information revolution presents Africa and other developing countries a historic opportunity to take a quantum leap forward, by using IT to develop their productive and creative capacities and becoming more integrated into the global economy. The Role of ICT in African Development Generally, the fundamental role of ICT lies in capturing, disseminating and processing knowledge and information. This in turn helps to accelerate and reduce costs of transactions and processes. It also enables people to connect thus enhancing participation and empowerment. In the case of Africa, ICT can contribute in the following important areas: * Economic development: ICT can contribute to raising productivity and economic growth by enhancing competitiveness and by helping to attract larger volumes of foreign investment. More specifically, it can contribute to raising efficiencies and lowering the costs for access to essential goods and services. * Human development: By facilitating access to such services as education and by providing opportunities for life-long learning — as well as by providing easier access to knowledge sources — ICT can contribute to human development. * Good governance: ICT enables a freer flow of information and thereby has the potential of promoting increased transparency, improved economic management, and public sector performance. This can change the way of doing business in government by fostering increased participation of citizens in government decisions and actions, and stronger accountability of civil servants. The new ICT can help Africa leapfrog several generations of development, but the Continent must quickly seize this opportunity. A major concern is that without adequate development of ICT, the Continent will be unable to expand, or even maintain, its already very low level of engagement in the global economy Africa’s ICT Access ICT access has several dimensions. It includes: physical access — the basic hardware, software, and Internet connectivity; educational access, whereby learners can have the opportunity to use ICT in educational and training settings; community access by which people can utilize the technologies; and cultural access such that people can avail themselves of digital products that are in the language they use and that are culturally compatible. There has, however, emerged, a widening global digital divide such that the use of new technologies is uneven and concentrated mainly in industrial countries and in urban areas. A few figures clearly indicate this development. At the end of 2002, out of the world’s estimated 592 million Internet users, 35 percent were in the Americas, 34 percent in Asia, and 29 percent in Europe, and about 2 percent in Africa. Similarly, in 2002, Africa’s share of the world’s main telephone lines was only 2 percent, and its share of the world’s cellular telephone subscribers stood at around 3 percent. Moreover, in 2002, the average estimated personal computers per 100 inhabitants was only 1.2 in Africa as against 27.5 in the Americas, 20 in Europe, and 4 in Asia. The use of the technology achievement index (TAI) – developed by UNDP in 2001 – also shows that Africa is marginalized in the categories of leaders, potential leaders, and dynamic adopters of the new IT technology. This situation reveals the technology gap separating the rich countries from the poor, particularly Africa. This divide is accounted in the first place by the shortage of the requisite energy (electricity) and telecommunication infrastructure. In addition, the Internet is too expensive for millions of people in Africa, partly because of the relatively high cost of computers that are the standard entry point to the Web. In addition, the text-based interface of the Internet puts it out of reach for many illiterate Africans. Policy Options for A More Rapid Development of ICT in Africa African countries will need to put in place a coherent policy framework to promote a more rapid development of ICT if Africa is not to be marginalized by the rapid pace of development and transformation in this sector. Some of the policy options that governments could consider are discussed below. In the first place, if the ICT revolution is to be Africa-wide, deep and sustained, policies and programs must create a framework in which ICT can thrive and all can participate. Measures to improve ICT in Africa need to address those issues constraining supply. Particularly, the regulatory frameworks in some countries would have to be reviewed, in order to break the monopoly of local operators and attract private investment. Government’s intervention is required to provide the enabling environment through policies that would encourage innovation, investment, transparency, skills development, and access. In this connection, the African ICT regulators will need to urgently harmonize regulations in the Continent, especially in matters of interconnection and spectrum utilization. African countries should also explore the possibility of adopting innovative solutions for exploiting the opportunities presented by the advances in information technology. For instance, the problem of inadequate and expensive telephone services in many African countries and the severe limitation it imposes on access to the Internet can be surpassed by a continued and intensified combination of geo-stationary and low-Earth orbiting satellites. More broadly, efforts need to be geared towards developing technologies for connectivity without telephony by exploring low-cost connectivity using satellite and wireless. Reducing the cost of computers and software should also be a primary policy target as the high cost of computers and software represents a serious impediment to Africa’s accessibility to the world of information technology. The cost of individual personal computers is higher than the per capita income of many African nations. One way to reduce the high cost of computers and software is ‘bulk-purchasing’ when placing orders to purchase computers or software. This option could be practiced nationally or regionally. A second option is to purchase second-hand computers as companies, organizations and individuals regularly upgrade their computer sets. As a result, there is a large stock of unused systems, which creates, in most cases, problems of storage and discarding. Local NGOs could be encouraged to design and implement a scheme of collecting such systems and organizing their distribution at minimal costs. The Role of the African Development Bank Group The Bank Group operations in its regional member countries are guided by the “”Vision”” that it adopted in 1999. Within the overarching objective of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable growth, the Bank Group gives priority to agricultural and rural development, health and education, and promoting the private sector. In addition special attention is given to promoting good governance, gender mainstreaming and sustainable management of the environment. Evidently, ICT provides a wide range of applications, which are capable of spurring large developments in all domains of Bank Group operations. To foster such applications through greater integration of African countries into the global information infrastructure, the Bank Group assists African countries in the following ways: providing financial resources for projects in the communications sector, the provision of advisory services and technical assistance, and capacity building. Provision of Finance: Since its inception, the African Development Bank has financed telecommunication projects for about US$ 1.2 billion. These projects have included infrastructure development operations as well as institutional support and assistance for sector reforms. In the related area of power supply the Bank has financed operations totaling about US$ 4 billion. In recent years, the Bank has stepped up its support to the private sector in these and related fields, aware that the sector must increasingly play a major role if African countries are to succeed in their efforts to develop their ICTs. In addition, under NEPAD, the Bank is charged with responsibilities relating to infrastructure in Africa. In the coming years, therefore, in the context of NEPAD infrastructural development and financing, the Bank will play an increasingly greater role in ICT financing in its Regional Member Countries (RMCs). * Provision of Advisory Service and Technical Assistance: Provision of advice on privatization of public telecommunications, private sector participation and information strategies are also important areas where Bank intervention and technical assistance will continue to play key roles. The Bank will continue to provide technical advice to governments on approaches to privatization and the preparation of the legal and regulatory framework necessary to privatize public utilities and develop the ICT sector; * Provision of Capacity Building: Through its African Development Institute (ADI) and the Joint Africa Institute (JAI) that the Bank established in 1999 with the IMF and the World Bank, the Bank will continue to assist African countries to acquire the knowledge to promote the development of ICT.” Conclusion Africa cannot afford to be left behind by the ICT revolution. It must instead strive to harness the powers of information and communications technology to help it integrate into the global economy and thereby put Africa on a higher development path. On its part, the African Development Bank will continue to promote ICT development and access in the Continent through its financing operations in both the public and private sectors, and by providing technical assistance and the requisite capacity building.
