ICTs, Development and the New Economy: an introduction

In the following weeks I will be blogging on the topic of ‘ICTs, development and the new economy,’ a topic of great significance in a continent largely lagging behind in the digital age. We seem to be facing the unfortunate reality that the telecommunication revolution is increasing the divide between the wealthy and the poor, “creating two distinct classes of information haves and information have-nots” (Sonaike, 2004:41). This is disturbing considering the potential digital developments have to facilitate and encourage development – a potential governments, NGOs and Intergovernmental organisations should be harnessing. The digital revolution can be used to the benefit of those needing access to better information and can provide those who traditionally have been voiceless, to have their voices heard – if only we focus on making this a priority.

We need to understand that a so-called ‘information society’ cannot be measured according to the extent of internet access available in a country, but rather how and to what effect people are able to use these technologies. In Africa, although research shows all 54 countries on the continent have Internet access at least in their capital cities, “the global impact of their connectivity is negligible” (Sonaike, 2004:41). It is clear that, “having access to the Internet and being active participants in the digital revolution are two different things” (Sonaike, 2004:42), if you consider that computers in Africa are mostly used for secretarial work, and the Internet is mostly used for personal email transactions. This is in sharp contrast to ‘Northern’ countries like England and America, who are driving the digital revolution, shaping and determining information on the web, which is disseminated globally and impacts on people around the world.

My following blogs will address this notion of the ‘digital divide’; which refers to disparities in access to, and usage of, the telephone, computers and Internet within and between countries. We need to keep in mind that this divide is experienced on a variety of social levels – from income, education, age, gender, race, occupation, geographic location, language group and many other ‘divides’. Aside from the clear differences between third and first world countries, there are clear inequalities within African countries, with those currently benefiting from the Internet being an affluent “minority, urban-based elite” (Sonaike, 2004:42).

I will be addressing some of the reasons for Africa’s current lagging position in the global technology context – such as the lack of:
- Appropriate telecommunication infrastructure on the continent (and high cost of computer hardware, low bandwidth, restriction of Internet use to major cities)
- Material access i.e. possession of computers, network connections, etc
- Digital experience
- Skills access

Perhaps most importantly I want to address ideas as to how the new medium of technology can be utilised to the benefit of existing development priorities in Africa. Ideas as to how technology like the Internet can be “a partner, rather than a cog, in Africa’s development effort” (Sonaike, 2004: 43) are essential if we take development seriously – and we should. The implication of neglecting such efforts is an increasing world of inequalities, one where Africa at large will continue to suffer.

Works Cited
Sonaike, S. 2004. “The Internet and the Dilemma of Africa’s Development”. International Communication Gazette; 66; 41.