Regional Information and Communication Strategies

A facility for harmonizing national strategies at the sub-regional levels by Regional Economic Communities for consistency in regional economic integration goals in the area of ICTs

Allows for harmonization of national regulatory frameworks as countries deregulate and liberalize their telecommunication markets.

Provides a framework for the development of information and communication infrastructure that can facilitate regional economic integration goals of the African continent.

Provides an impetus for strengthening capacity at the sub-regional level in ICT for development and building a critical mass to facilitate regional integration through ICTs.

Policy and Regulatory Integration The creation of regional strategies would enable Africa to build economy of scale for developing its infrastructure and content and increase Africa's ability to negotiate globally.
Regulatory integration at the regional level would create and strengthen the community/associations of regulators to facilitate cross-boarder interaction, market enlargement and harmonization policies at the sub-regional and regional levels.
Strengthen regional institutions, to participate effectively in global ICT, as well as of decision-making bodies such as ICANN, WTO, WIPO, ISOC etc.
Infrastructure Development This will include the setting up of sub-regional backbones, exchange and interconnection points, with human resource development requirements.
Mechanisms for sharing bandwidth within the sub-regions should be looked into as part of the facilitation of sub-regional and regional interconnectivity.
Economic Policies Establishing common tariffs for ICT products and services across borders as a key component of the harmonization process at sub-regional and regional levels.
Potential for cost sharing in executing joint projects at sub-regional and regional levels, particularly the financing and strengthening of sub-regional and regional backbones to enhance connectivity in the region.