ICT in Africa: Boosting Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction

Information and communication technologies (ICT) increase efficiency, provide access to new markets or services, create new opportunities for income generation and give poor people a voice.

In a nutshell: they are attributed a key role in both economic growth and poverty reduction. Spectacular improvements have been achieved in Africa regarding the spread of mobile telephony and an increasing number of national ICT strategies as well as regional initiatives.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how Africa and the international community can address the remaining challenges, characterised by their complexity and diversity which demands specific interventions rather than “one-size-fits-all” approaches. The paper takes stock of the numerous initiatives and stakeholders, including the G8, NEPAD, UNECA, ITU and many other agencies, networks, research centres and private actors.

The paper provides the context, describing how ICT can be used to boost economic growth, its role in poverty reduction efforts and the current situation of ICT in Africa. It summarizes the key commitments of the various stakeholders with a focus on multilateral development partners and African institutions. Finally, the situation is assessed and a number of recommendations are set out. The paper –mandated by the Africa Partnership Forum Support Unit of the OECD – has been prepared by Sonja Beeli and Richard Gerster of Gerster Consulting, with kind assistance of Mike Jensen. It can be downloaded in English and French.    

ICTs and Large-Scale Poverty Reduction

Abstract:

Led by Panos, a joint IICD/FDC/SDC/MSSRF/UNDP-publication on ICTs and large-scale poverty reduction was published as a contribution to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis. Initiated by SDC, Kitty Warnock and Ravi Wickremasinghe (eds) compiled state-of-the-art lessons in making use of ICTs for poverty reduction.

The papers collected are intended to serve as background documents for the WSIS panels on that topic. Richard Gerster and Sonja Zimmermann edited on behalf of SDC/MSSRF the chapter on “Up-scaling Pro-poor ICT Policies and Practices: The Chennai Statement and Lessons Learned”.

The complete publication can be downloaded on the right or hard copies are available free of charge from ict4d@deza.admin.ch

The Chennai Statement

CTs can make a difference in poverty reduction. The lessons learned around the globe demonstrate the great potential of ICTs enhancing empowerment, opportunity and security. This potential contrasts with the overall modest impact of ICTs on the MDGs. Untapped opportunities exist for scaling up poverty reduction using ICTs.

This is an excerpt of the Chennai Statement which has been released end of January 2005. Upon invitation of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), development practitioners and policy makers met in Chennai, India, from 17-19 November 2004, for a workshop to review experiences in Asia and Africa in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for poverty reduction.

Gerolf Weigel, Richard Gerster and Sonja Zimmermann participated on behalf of SDC. The event was organised in coordination with the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), OneWorld South Asia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In order to provide an input into the preparatory processes of the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS), Poverty Reduction Strategies and the Millennium+5 Summit, the participants decided to compile some key conclusions and recommendations in a statement.

The purpose of the Chennai Statement is to stimulate the ICT debate from a clearly poverty-focused perspective.

Up-scaling Pro-Poor ICT Policies and Practices: A Review of Experience with Emphasis on Low Income Countries in Asia and Africa

CTs can make a difference in reducing poverty and reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Practical experience, as well as lessons learned around the globe, demonstrates the great potential for ICTs to enhance empowerment, opportunity and security. This potential contrasts, however, with the relatively modest pro-poor ICT implementation level.

Why this gap between potential and achievements in the ICT contribution towards reaching the MDGs? What key barriers impede the implementation of declarations? How can we multiply, upscale and replicate successful pilot projects?

The study on ' Up-scaling Pro-Poor ICT-Policies and Practices' , a joint publication by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), India, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) provides answers to such pertinent questions. A draft of this paper served as background for an expert meeting in Chennai that produced the 'Chennai Statement', released in January 2005.

The study and the statement contribute to a multi-dimensional poverty reduction agenda for the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Principles and Action Plan, to be closely linked to of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The final study report was released on February 18, 2005, on the occasion of a panel discussion ? Promoting WSIS – MDG Synergies' hosted jointly by MSSRF, SDC and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), and held as a side event of WSIS Prepcom II in Geneva (Switzerland).

The publication can be downloaded here or hard copies are available free of charge from ict4d@deza.admin.ch

ICT for Poverty Reduction: Myths, Realities and Development Implications

Abstract:

On the occasion of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva in December 2003 the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) organised the ICT for Development Platform.

The wealth of information and insights collected during the platform days is now available in a new book ? ICT4D – Connecting People for a Better World. Lessons, Innovations and Perspectives of ICTs in Development? edited by Gerolf Weigel and Daniele Waldburger. The platform comprised a number of expert panels, among them one on ICT for poverty reduction.

Members of the panel were Richard Fuchs, Director ICT-4D of IDRC (Canada); M.S. Swaminathan, Director, M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (India); Richard Gerster, Director, Gerster Consulting (Switzerland); Clotilde Fonseca, Executive Director Omar Dengo Foundation (Costa Rica).

The report on this panel is part (chapter 7) of that new book of which an online version is accessible at www.globalknowledge.org.

The print edition is available at a price of USD 20 at www.docudisp.ch or email SDC (ict4d@deza.admin.ch).

How Switzerland Diminishes Its Digital Divide

Abstract:

The digital divide does not only exist at the global level between North and South; it is also present within the economically advanced countries. A new study by Richard Gerster and Andrea Haag, "Diminishing the Digital Divide in Switzerland. ICT-Policies, Practices and Lessons Learnt" , examines the case of Switzerland from a development policy perspective.

It was published by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in response to many requests for information from cooperation partners and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The main question examined is how Switzerland deals with its own internal, regional and social disparities regarding policies for, and use of, information and communication technologies (ICTs).

What lessons are to be learnt from the Swiss experience by economically weaker and poverty stricken developing countries on their way to information societies?

Free paper copies can be ordered at ict4d@deza.admin.ch.

ICTs and Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa. a Learning Study

Abstract:

This study is based on the Building Digital Opportunities programme (BDO), which is co-funded by the Department for International Development (DFID, UK), the Directorate General for International Co-operation (DGIS, Netherlands), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC, Switzerland) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

BDO's purpose is to identify and help remove some of the key barriers to, and to develop genuine opportunities for, poverty-focused ICT for development. In order to address a broad variety of key issues, five non-governmental agencies implement the BDO programme: the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), OneWorld International (OWI) and the Panos Institute (Panos).

Gerster Consulting was invited to prepare a learning study, based on three country case studies in Mali (by Abdoulaye Ndiaye), Uganda (by Lucy Daxbacher), and Zambia (by Clare Barkworth).

Hard copies can be ordered free of charge at IICD, Fax +31 70 311 73 22, or info@iConnect-online.org

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Poverty Reduction?

Abstract:

by Richard Gerster and Sonja Zimmermann. Poverty reduction is a neglected avenue in the ICT-debate. NGO-led global advocacy campaigns undoubtedly have a poverty reducing impact. But what about the poverty impact of community radio, telecentres, the internet, or regulatory frameworks for ICTs?

Some preliminary lessons learnt are presented by the authors in view of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva from 10-14 December, 2003.

The Discussion Paper can be downloaded on the right or hard copies are available free of charge from ict4d@deza.admin.ch