Leland Initiative - Africa

In each country where the Leland Initiative is active, activities begin with a series of country assessments that address 1) national and regional policies and regulations concerning telecommunications and information access and use; 2) the present condition of the national telecommunications infrastructure; and 3) the current condition of and potential demand for Internet access in the public and private sectors. Data gathered from these assessments form the foundation for individualised country reports and action plans for these activities. On-site training is provided to assist USAID missions and their partners harness the potential of ICTs to further their development objectives.

Technology.

The Internet is emerging as a low cost pathway that allows information to be more accessible, transferable and manageable; ready access to information is becoming the catalyst that transforms economic and social structures around the world and supports fast-paced sustainable development. Even as African countries move toward more openeconomies and societies, there remain formidable constraints on sustainabledevelopment in such areas as the environment, disease prevention, literacy andprivate sector development. Africa needs access to the powerful information andcommunication tools of the Internet in order to obtain the resources andefficiency essential for sustainable development.

the Leland Initiative will work to support policy reforms to reduce barriers to open connectivity, leading to affordable prices, based upon costs plus profit, conducive to broad expansion of the user base; delivery of Internet services by private sector providers; and,free and open access to information available through the Internet, inconformance with host country laws. In addition, appropriate hardware is soughtfor full Internet connectivity, with assistance to private sector ISPs todevelop their industry. Overall, the project aims to increase the ability ofAfrican societies to use the communication and information tools of theInternet.