The Drum Beat 143 - ICTs in Africa - Part 1

This issue of The Drum Beat is the first installment in a double issue collaboration focussing on Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Africa. This issue includes just some of the all-embracing, bilateral and multilateral Africa initiatives, and some of the policy frameworks developed on a country level. The issue to follow within the next few months will focus on some of the regional, community and "on-the-ground" ICT initiatives in Africa.

Many thanks to Aida Opoku-Mensah and the ICT for Development Team at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) for their collaboration on this issue. Contact Ms. Opoku-Mensah, Team Leader, ICT for Development, UNECA aopoku-mensah@uneca.org

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ICT INITIATIVES in Africa

1. Development Broadcasting Unit - Malawi - launched with the aim of establishing a sustainable framework for a broadcast dialogue about civil rights and citizenship in Malawi. The project has thus far established a network of Radio Listening Clubs (RLCs) who are supported through training and mobilisation activities to generate content for a 50 part radio series called 'Kanthu N'Khama'. They have also implemented additional activities including training in rural animation techniques and communication planning models to strengthen capacity within Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for development concerned programming and community access. Contact Nick Ishmael Perkins impact@amarcafrica.org

2. The Acacia Initiative - a project to empower sub-Saharan African communities with the ability to apply information and communication technologies to their own social and economic development. The programme sets out to: demonstrate how ICTs can enable communities to solve their development problems in ways that build firmly on local goals, cultures, strengths and processes; and, build a body of knowledge capable of identifying the policies, technologies, approaches, and methodologies instrumental in promoting the affordable and effective use of ICTs by marginalised communities, such as women. The programme is operational in Senegal, South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda. Contact Mr. Laurent Elder Lelder@idrc.org.sn

3. African Information Society Initiative (AISI) - an African-owned mandate to use information and communication technology to accelerate economic and social development in Africa and is now the action framework for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa's (UNECA) work programme. Activities include: development of ICT policy plans and strategies; democratising access to the information society; connectivity; training and capacity building; content development; and sector applications. Contact Aida Opoku-Mensah aopoku-mensah@uneca.org OR Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane kbounemra@uneca.org

4. African Connection - an initiative and platform to facilitate, harness and be a catalyst for improvement of connectivity within and between African countries, and between Africa and the rest of the world so as to make Africans equal partners and active participants in the knowledge age and global information society. Contact Mavis Ampah Sintim-Misa mavisa@dbsa.org

ICT INITIATIVES with an Africa Focus

5. Association of Progressive Communication (APC) - Africa - a global network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment, through the strategic use of ICTs. Members and partners in APC Africa work locally and regionally to interpret APC's programmes in the region. Strengthening indigenous information sharing and independent networking capacity on the continent are key priorities. Contact apc-africa@apc.org

6. African IT Exhibitions and Conferences (AITEC) - focussed on publishing and exhibition and conference organisation for ICT professionals throughout English-speaking Africa. They have offices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and UK, with agents or representatives in several other countries. AITEC is seeking a partner to undertake the same work in Francophone Africa. Contact Sean Moroney sean@aitecafrica.com

7. International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) - works with local partners in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The driving force behind IICD activities is that local 'change agents' themselves identify and develop proposals for realistic ICT applications. The Global Teenager Project is a special initiative with secondary schools that fosters international linkages, provides technical support, and facilitates the development and delivery of educational content via Internet 'Learning Circles'. Contact Peter Ballantyne or Ellien ten Cate info@iicd.org

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The next DB Classifieds - Vacancies publication will be May 15. To include your vacant posts in this circulation please send your ads to Carey Hooge chooge@comminit.com

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BILATERAL/MULTILATERAL ICT INITIATIVES

8. Building Digital Opportunities (BDO) Initiatives - Africa - cross-sectoral initiatives to address key barriers and opportunities for ICTs in achieving development targets. There are 4 programme areas: the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation's work on policy-making and regulation; work by the IICD on national sectoral ICT strategies; work on community radio by the international grouping AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters); and work on information resources by the Panos Institute and the development portal by OneWorld Online. Contact Peter Ballantyne info@iicd.org

9. Imfundo Project - sub-Saharan Africa - a programme working to transform the education sector in Africa through the use of ICTs. A public-private partnership dedicated to finding new ways to improve the training of teachers, identify the most effective way to improve the management and support of teachers in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, using new technologies where appropriate. Contact Tim Unwin tim@imfundo.org

10. Leland Initiative - the Africa Global Information Infrastructure Project is a 5-year US government effort to extend full Internet connectivity to 20 or more African countries. This initiative builds on existing capacity with the ultimate aim of facilitating Internet access throughout each country and hopes to: improve connectivity within Africa; increase access by Africans to people and information for sustainable development; enhance African ability to find solutions to African problems; and, make African produced information available. Contact Lane Smith lasmith@usaid.gov

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PULSE OPINION POLL

Do you agree or disagree?

The term 'Third World' is offensive and should not be used.

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POLICY INITIATIVES

11. Burkina Faso - launched in 2000, priority actions are geared to: development of the telecommunication infrastructure; modernizing the civil service; support to research and education; development of community information centres; trade facilitation. 

12. Cameroon - the development process started in 2000 and involved the Government, civil society, private sector, and training institutions. 3 priority issues were analysed in order to come up with a comprehensive ICT development strategy: Policy & regulatory environment; Tools & technology; Applications, services & networks.

13. Cape Verde - priority sectors were identified as: Education; Health; E-government; Regulation; Environment protection; and Infrastructure Development.

14. Mozambique - approved in May 2000, the National Policy was the source of a national debate between 18 June and 28 July 2000. The general objective is to provide: points of reference for the development of the information society; and, a basis for legislation and plans of action.

15. Rwanda - launched in February 2002, is aimed at transforming Rwanda into a knowledge-based society and economy within 20 years. The framework document on which the policy is based was the source of a national debate between June 18 and July 28 2000.

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