Africa Networking: a new book on Development Information and Governance released
10 June 2004

A new book focusing on the relationship between good governance and development information in Africa has been released by ECA’s Development Information Services Division.

Africa Networking develops and builds on discussions during the third meeting of the Committee on Development Information (CODI3) held last year in Addis Ababa, documenting ways information systems can help support and promote better governance.

The book presents analyses on decentralization of public administrative systems and transparent public financial management. It also deals with the role of the private sector, civil society and systems and policies on governance. The essays in the book draw on a range of expertise in statistics, ICTs, libraries and geo-information.

A foreword by ECA Executive Secretary, Mr. K.Y. Amoako and a preface by Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of the Development Information Services Division (DISD), ask whether the production, management and use of information are aligned to the needs of governance systems in Africa.

Ms. Bounemra describes Africa Networking as the beginning of a process that will expand debate on ways improved governance can meet African expectations.

Given the shortage of literature on information and governance, the 272-page publication is a timely addition to the documentation being prepared for the forthcoming African Development Forum (ADF) in Addis Ababa from 11-15 October 2004 on the theme "Governance for a progressing Africa".

Africa Networking is co-published by ECA and International Books, a Netherlands-based publisher.