ICT Policies and Strategies in Rwanda, Namibia &

South Africa

Jonathan Miller PhD

July 2001

The View from Africa

Great International Interest in the Digital Divide– UN (UNITeS), HealthInternetwork– G8: Okinawa Charter

• DOT Force– Genoa Plan of Action

– Commonwealth Secretariat– Multitude of International Donors

Contrasting ICT Policy Issues

The Developing World– Alleviating Poverty

– Health

– Education

– The Cost of Telephone Calls

– The Banking System

– Physical Logistics

The developed World– Electronic Commerce

– Universal Service

– Electronic Gambling

– Technology Neutral Taxation

– Privacy of the Individual

The Starting Point

ICT is good for social/economic development

There is a growing digital divide There is an untapped ICT market in

developing countries

Interest within Africa’s 53 Countries

ISAD Conference: 1996

UNECA: AISI

– Spreading the benefits of ICT’s equitably and quickly

– The NICI Process: 22 countries

SADC “Policy Guidelines” for Info-based

Economy

COMESA: E-Commerce, Trade & Investment

Particular Countries

South Africa

Namibia

Rwanda

Tanzania

Mozambique

Progress in South Africa

1994 marked the turning point The Reconstruction and Development

Programme (RDP) set the vision for the country.

We had an agreed basis to measure many policies, programmes and projects

South Africa’s Vision

Balance growth with development and place

simultaneous emphasis on redressing the

present regional, racial, gender and

structural imbalances in the economy

Major ICT Initiatives:1996-2001

National Research and Technology Foresight

Information Technology National Qualifications Framework

Electronic Commerce Policy Process SA Information Technology Industry

Strategy

A coordinated ICT industry strategy ICT‑enabled growth of businesses across the

entire economy

A robust ICT industry

A country poised for the Information Age

SA IT Industry Strategy Project(www.saitis.co.za)

Industry StructureSustaining Environment

Global Competitiveness

Infrastructure•

Applications/Content

Market

Research & Development

Intellectual Property

Knowledge Transfer

Employment/Workforce

Labour Issues

Education/Training

ICT Literacy

Strategy Development Framework

ICT Sector ICT Usage

Innovation Human Resources

SAITIS Follow-on Projects

Sustainability Structures and Processes Labour Market Statistics ICT Portal ICT Cluster Development Youth Internship Program Black ICT SMME Development

Namibia

“Our vision is that Namibia will be an industrialised state by 2030, with a

significant improvement in the essential quality of life of all Namibians.”

Namibia's ICT Policy Process: 1998-2001

NICI Process commenced in 1998

Telecommunication Framework 1999

Draft ICT Policy tabled 2001

Far-sighted Minister of Information

Namibian Priorities for Implementation

Enhance rural access to information  Grow and stabilise the ICT professional

community Facilitate excellent ICT public education,

especially in schools Foster e-commerce, e-business and e-government Strengthen the existing ICT infrastructure Create an ICT Cluster

Critical Success Factors

A strong national body with committed leadership to guide the implementation of ICT Policy

A detailed implementation plan that– defines indicators against which to measure success – lays out practical growth steps towards achievable

targets – names responsible parties – and sets realistic timelines

Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda: Vision 2020

To develop Rwanda into a middle income country by Year 2020 (current GDP per capita is $200)

To modernize the Rwandan economy and society using ICTs as an engine for:– accelerated development and economic growth

– national prosperity

– global competitiveness

Rwanda

1998: ICT Policy process commenced 2000: ICT Policy tabled and endorsed by

President Kagame 2001: First 5-year $500 million Plan tabled

(400 pages) Presidential Drive for Rwanda to become a

Regional Services Centre

Other Countries

Mozambique– National ICT Commission in place– 2000: ICT Policy accepted by government – 2001: Implementation Process in the making– Driven by Prime Minister

Tanzania– 1997: Started an ICT policy process – 1997: Published a telecommunications policy– 2000: eThinkTank launched– 2001: First attempts to initiate ICT Policy process

Tanzanian Internet Cafes

Similarities and Differences

All believe in the potential of ICT

All emphasize human resource development

All espouse high level collaboration

All struggle to marry public and private role-players

All are small enough to contemplate national initiatives

Some set seriously unrealistic goals

Some use ICT as a political lever

Policy process

– The grand plan

– Multiple plans

– Targeted interventions

“critical success factors”

The Emperor’s New Clothes?

Expensive Take a long time No follow through to implementation Long on assessments but very short on

visible results The process is getting bogged down

Other Concerns

Lack of insight into dynamics of ICT usage No cumulative tradition of research No coordination of initiatives Donor-Driven Agenda

jonmil@icon.co.za