Enhancing ICT development and connectivity in Africa

Erik HabersHead of Cooperation EU Delegation Nairobi

Background

• ICT are proven drivers of innovation for sustainable development, since:

• They allow for a rapid and free flow of information, increasing economic efficiency, ensuring decisions

• They offer solutions to employment, health, education, protection, environment, governance, commerce...

• A 10% increase in internet access has been shown to lead to an 1.2% increase in several countries GDP

MDG 8: 'In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications'

(Plus indirect effect in MDGs 2, 4, 5 and 6)

Challenges

• Growing Digital Divide:• Great disparity among countries• Access limited in many parts of Africa

Main reasons• Low collaboration South-South

• Intra-African communications often routed through Europe

• High prices• Little competition• Lack of political and economic stability and coherent

policies hampering private investments

EU Response Strategy

• Enhance the bilateral policy dialogue

• Assist to the development of an inclusive information society in Africa

• Focus on preparing the enabling environment (regulation, interconnections…) for private sector investments

(ICT is not a focal sector in EU development policy, but a cross-cutting modality with applications in several other sectors)

EU priorities for ICT development in Africa 1. Harmonisation and alignment of e-communications policies and regulations with EU

framework

2. Enabling the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and the regulation of the Digital Dividend

• 3. Establishment and interconnection of research and education networks and connection to the European network GÉANT

• 4. Enhancement of ICT capacity building (for ALL, i.e. citizens, governments, private sector etc.)

Objective: Improved regulations promoting fairness, transparency, human rights and freedom of expression

Result: A fair and transparent enabling environment, improving ICT access for citizens, business and organisations

Priority 1: Harmonisation and aligment of e-communications policies and regulations in developing

countries with EU framework

Objective: Creation a new huge market of online applications and services contributing in this way to inclusive growth, employment and sustainable development in Africa

Results: Development/convergence of relevant policies and regulations in domains defining the digital dividend regulation/management challenge, like radio spectrum policy and management, cross-border radio frequency management, digital media/broadcasting policy, broadband policy etc.

Priority 2: Enabling the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Africa and

the regulation of the Digital Dividend.

Objective: Increase in research cooperation and regional computing capacity, generate scientific excellence, bridge the digital divide, reduce 'brain drain', contribute to economic and social well-being

Results: Strenghtening of cooperation between research communities. Provide capacity to meet high-volume needs of other not-for-profit sectors. Influence the development of a telecom market and regulatory environment reducing the costs and enabling cross-border traffic

Priority 3: Establishment and interconnection of research and education networks and connection

to European network GÉANT

Example: AfricaConnect project

• Establishes a high capacity internet network for research and education in Southern and Eastern Africa

• Improves connectivity and collaboration within the region and with the rest of the world through the interconnection with the pan-European research network GÉANT

• Contributes to the development of education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Objective: To reduce the digital divide, through a better understanding of the new technologies, the roll-out of broadband, the deployment of efficient ICT systems adapted to local needs and the promotion of free and open access to the internet

Results: Roll-out of broadband connectivity, deployment of efficient and resilient ICT systems and promotion of free and open access to the internet

Priority 4: Enhancement of ICT capacity building (for ALL, citizens, governments, private

sector etc.)

Increasing engagement

• Scaling-up of ongoing initiatives

• Exploiting synergies between the EU Digital Agenda and the AU ICT development frameworks

• Fostering deployment of innovative e-services to enhance interconnections

•THANK YOU

• for

• Your Attention!