E-commerce the way forward for Africa, new book says

Addis Ababa, 3 May (ECA) - A new book, launched here by the Economic Commission for Africa, seeks to underline the importance of the burgeoning electronic and mobile commerce industry for Africa's economic development.

The book, ‘African E-Markets: Information and Economic Development', is the second in a series issued by the Committee on Development Information (CODI) whose annual meeting is currently underway in Addis Ababa. It is co-published by ECA, International Books and the Centre for African Studies in Copenhagen.

The book notes that information and communication technology (ICT) has unleashed a massive, cost-effective way of doing business. ICT accelerates the movement of goods, services, ideas and people which fuels the globalisation process. Therefore the power of information to stimulate Africa's economic potential cannot be underestimated.

The publication looks at the role of issues such as the enabling environment, e-economics, the stakeholders and data in assessing the implications for economic growth, meeting the Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction.

It makes the point that the African e-commerce model differs significantly from that of the West and Asia. This is due to the continent's late entry into ICT, which means it has encountered a more advanced technology. The African model is essentially based on mobile telephony, a cash economy, marketplace culture and pre-paid accounts.

But the book also sounds a note of caution. While e-commerce is undoubtedly crucial for Africa's development, it risks widening the gender gap and further excluding women from a vital economic resource, particularly in rural areas. There are also “cultural barriers” to be overcome in Africa where face-to-face transactions are still preferred and virtual shopping remains a relatively new phenomenon.

Launching the publication, Aida Opoku-Mensah who heads ECA's ICT division, noted that it was written completely from an African perspective by African experts. She said it was aimed at practitioners and teachers.

Several of the book's authors were also present at the launch, and stressed the principle that knowledge is the basis of development.

“You can't be competitive if you don't take into account information,” said Moubarak Lo, one of the contributors. “Africa has a unique chance to integrate into the new technological revolution.”

(Free limited copies are available to readers in Africa. Email your request to ecapubs@uneca.org . Otherwise it can be ordered at www.amazon.com )