African Development Forum Discussion List

This summary attempts to cover some of the main points and threads of discussion from the first week of the list's operation. The overall focus of the list is the challenge to Africa of globalisation and the information age, while the theme of the first two weeks of discussion is Africa's information infrastructure and policies to promote it. This summary is appearing on the list as well as on the ADF Web site.

PEASANTS WITH LAPTOPS

A major thread of the discussion centred on whether the African Information Society Initiative, and other subsequent projects, activities and initiatives to promote the development of African information infrastructure, were too focused on technology, without concern for "people's socio-economic development" and whether they were importing Western models that were inappropriate in Africa. The phrase "peasants with laptops" emerged to characterize such inappropriate use. The need to utilize traditional media - including radio, television and newspapers- to reach large numbers in Africa was emphasized, as well as the need to harmonize computers and high speed data networks with other forms of information flow and communication. ICTs (information and communication technologies) should not displace but rather should supplement and complement other media, it was said.

A number of participants felt that information infrastructure which promoted the diffusion of information and communication technologies could be of genuine benefit to Africa, provided that modern and traditional modes of communication and ICTs were integrated and that basic development needs were balanced with the potential for empowerment that ICTs could bring.

To ignore the communication needs of African peasants perpetuated an urban bias to development. It was argued that asymmetry of information was one of the principal cases of inequality and rural underdevelopment. Although needs might differ, both urban and rural areas needed communications technology. Arguments were put forward that African peasant farmers indeed needed to communicate with the outside world- to find out market prices for their produce, for example. This communication could take place on a shared access basis (in telecentres, schools and community centres, for example) merging radio with e-mail: a number of projects were underway working on this and similar activities.

The case of the Grameen Bank's introduction of cellphones in rural Bangladesh (http://www.zef_deutsch/f_first.html) was cited as an example of successful introduction of ICTs on a shared basis in rural areas.

The importance of sustainability and value (what benefits do ICTs bring?) were also pointed out.

EVALUATING TELECENTRES

The need to evaluate telecentres was suggested, with particular emphasis on sharing information on policies to promote telecentres in place around the world.

The list was informed about the Government of South Africa's Universal Service Agency (http://www.usa.org.za), a programme to implement telecentres in areas with low teledensity on the basis of universal access- service within a reasonable distance of every home. The establishment of the Agency arose from the (South Africa) Telecommunications Act of 1996 which called for the establishment of a Universal Service Fund, into which telecommunications operators pay as a part of licensing.

The importance of the involvement in users in determining content and services at telecentres was stressed.

LESSONS LEARNED

It was pointed out that there were many cases of preconceptions of what benefit ICT could have to Africa. In this context, both African realities and global developments had to be kept in mind. Questions were raised as to whether statistics could be produced which supported the relationship between ICTs and development and whether there had been more failures than successes in on the ground projects. Many lessons could be learned from failures as well as successes, it was noted.

STRATEGIC NICHES

One participant defined what he regarded as strategic entry points for ICTs in Africa: in universities, in distance and continuing education, in spreading knowledge for conflict prevention, in improving governance. He pointed out that it was important for each African country to define its own strategic entry points.

MEETING CRITICAL NEEDS AND BUILDING EQUITY APPROACHES

Several participants pointed out that the proper entry point was an examination of critical needs in Africa and how they could be met. With this approach, it was suggested, one would find strategic roles for the new information and communication technologies. However, such entries had to be supported by careful analysis and feasibility studies.

The inevitably of the increasing penetration of ICTs in Africa was underlined and the need to turn this phenomenon into a positive force for social equity and justice. As one member wrote, "the electronic venue will descend upon Africa as yet another very unequal playing field on which Africans will lose, or it will be shaped to make a more equitable playing field. That is the task for those of us on the field." One participant called this approach "people driven but ICT supported," and put forth the view that the African Development Forum '99 would support it.

SADECCON

The list was informed about SADECCON, Southern African Development, Communication and Cultural Network, which calls for a community based approach to the development of African information society, taking into account local culture and communication techniques.

CHANNEL AFRICA

A member informed other list participants about CHANNEL AFRICA, a member of the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA), which comprises 60 journalists, technicians and support staff from southern Africa who are attempting to establish an Internet and satellite information exchange network in response to the challenges of digitalisation and to help stimulate the growth of information economies in Africa. They promote African content development and urge African governments to put the necessary infrastructure in place to make affordable access possible. CHANNEL AFRICA encourages others to join the network. (URL- http://www.channelafrica.org).

AFRICA ONE

One list subscriber reported on the apparent rejuvenation of Africa One, a submarine fibre optic cable project originated by the International Telecommunication Union, but which had fallen on a period of inactivity. According to S. G. Fassoulis, the Chairman of Africa One, "Deregulation, privatization, competition and regulatory reform throughout Africa are creating a robust telecommunications environment, and demand for new services, especially the Internet, is growing tremendously. Africa ONE will save hundreds of millions of dollars in transit fees now being paid by African carriers to complete calls."

Web Sites:

African Development Forum

http://www.un.org/depts/eca/adf

BBC discussion on Internet development in Africa

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/focusonafrica/internet/ram

Internet economic toolkit (ECA, InfoDev and the African Internet Forum)

http://www.worldbank.org/infodev/projects/finafcon.htm

Channel Africa

http://www.channelafrica.org

Grameen Bank introduction of cellphones in rural Bangladesh

http://www.zef_deutsch/f_first.html

Government of South Africa's Universal Service Agency

http://www.usa.org.za