Distribution: General
E/ECA/CODIST/1/21
UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL Original: English ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
First Session of the Committee on
Development Information, Science and Technology (CODIST-I) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
28 April – 01 May 2009
Implementing the WSIS Action Lines in Africa Analysis of Country Reports
(Section VII to Section IX)
1
Section VII
Implementing ICT applications
E-government
39. According to the WSIS Plan of Action, governments need to “implement e-government strategies focusing on applications aimed at innovating and promoting transparency in public administrations and democratic processes, improving efficiency and strengthening relations with citizens”. In this regard, 80% of respondents (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Uganda) indicated that they have e-government strategies in place.
Burundi and Congo are in the process of developing their e-government strategies while Guinea Bissau and Togo don’t have e-government strategies. 70% of the respondents indicated that their countries participate in international cooperation initiatives in the fie lds of e-government and support them.
40. The other parameters that show the e-government applications in government services are the connectivity, web presence and provision of services online. In this regard, the following figure
Graph 8 shows the status and progress on government connectivity, websites and government online.
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Benin Congo
Egypt Ghana Kenya
Mali
Niger DRC
Sudan Togo
% of govt connectivity % of govt having websites % of govt online service Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
39. Most countries indicated that there is a wide spread availability of Internet connectivity in government ministries, agencies and departments including a growing web presence.
However, only Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria and Senegal indicated that their governments were providing public services online.
40. The African E-Government Readiness Index as shown in graph 9 indicates that Africa is way below the world average.
2 Graph 9: E -government Readiness of Africa
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Central Africa
Eastern Africa
Northern Africa
Southern Africa
West Africa
World
Source: UNDESA (2008)
39. Southern Africa sub-region is getting closer to the world average followed by Northern African sub-region. Table 1 below, shows the e-government index for eighteen of the countries that have responded to questionnaire.
Table 1: E -government Readiness in selected countries in Africa
2008 Index 2005 Index 2008 Ranking
2005 Ranking
Benin 0.186 0.2309 171 151
Burundi 0.1788 0.1643 174 166
Congo 0.2737 0.2855 147 134
Cote d'Ivoire 0.1853 0.182 173 160
DRC 0.2177… 162…
Egypt 0.4767 0.37.93 79 99
Ethiopia 0.1857 0.136 172 170
The Gambia 0.2253 0.1736 159 163
Ghana 0.2997 0.2866 138 133
Guinea Bissau 0.1521… 177…
Kenya 0.3474 0.3298 122 122
Madagascar 0.3065 0.2641 135 141
Mali 0.1591 0.0925 175 173
Mozambique 0.2559 0.2448 152 146
Nigeria 0.3063 0.2758 136 139
Niger 0.1142 0.0661 181 174
Senegal 0.2531 0.2238 153 153
Sudan 0.2186 0.237 161 150
Togo 0.2191 0.2274 160 152
Uganda 0.3133 0.3081 133 125
Region 0.2879 0.2836
World 0.4514 0.4267
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
3 40. Those countries whose e-government index in 2008 is above the African region average are Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria and Uganda. The only country from this list whose e-government index is above the world’s average is Egypt.
E-business
41. The WSIS Plan of Action emphasised “Governments, international organisations and the private sector, are encouraged to promote the benefits of international trade and the use of e- business, and promote the use of e-business models in developing countries and countries with economies in transition”. According to the responses, 85% of the countries, i.e. Benin, Burundi, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, the Gambia and Uganda are promoting e-business applications. Most governments (90% of the respondents) stimulate private sector investment, foster new applications, and public -private partnerships. In addition, majority of the countries (80% of the respondents) indicated that their government policies favour or assist the growth of SMMEs in the ICT industry. Promotion of e-business applications in many of these countries have been supported with the enactment of regulatory frameworks by governments as shown in the following graph 10:
Graph 10: Legislation for e-business regulatory frameworks in African countries Percentage of countries enacted legislations
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
e-transactions/e-payments, e-contracts
e-currencies e-commerce
digital signature
certification and cryptographyconsumer protection/arbitration
protection of intellectual property rights
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
4 42. The governments of Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda have a National Certification Agency. All countries with the exception of Burundi stated that the central and national banks play a key role in ensuring introduction of e-transactions/e-payments. 45% of the respondents indicated that their countries provide e-services. Among them, Egypt, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar and Uganda provide BPO services. Egypt and Ghana provide ITES services. Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Senegal and Uganda provide Call Centre services.
Graph 11: Countries providing e-services
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
e-services BPOs ITES CallCentres
Percentage
Source: ECA WSIS questionnaire (2008) E- learning
43. Only Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Mali believe that they possess adequate digital literacy for supporting digital and knowledge economy activities in their countries. However, in many countries including, Benin, Burundi, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Uganda, there are content development activities underway to support e-learning. In terms of ICT facilities in the schools as provided by some respondents as per graph 12, the level of integration of ICT in schools is developing with major progress shown in Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Sudan.
Graph 12: ICT facilities in Schools in selected countries
5 200
4060 10080 120
Benin
Cote d'Ivoire
Egypt
Ethiopia
Madagascar
Sudan Togo
% of Schools with PCs % of Schools with Fixed Tel
% of Schools with Mobile % of Schools with Internet
% of Schools with Websites
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008) E- health
44. 12 countries (60% of the respondents) including Congo, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Uganda indicate d that they have programmes on building health information systems and medical training, education and research through the use of ICTs including telemedicine initiatives. 8 countries (40% of the respondents), which include Egypt, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Uganda have a common information system that alerts, monitors and controls the spread of communicable diseases. Only 7 countries (35% of the respondents) which include Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria have ICT-based initiative for providing medical and humanitarian assistance in disasters and emergencies. Graph 13 shows ICT use in health centres in the six countries that have provided data.
Graph 13: ICT facilities in health centres of selected countries
0 20 40 60 80 100
Congo
Cote d'Ivoire Madagascar
Nigeria Sudan Togo
Percentage
%ofHealthCentreswithPCs %HealthCentreswithTel
%HealthCentreswithMobile %HealthCentreswithInternet
%HealthCentreswithWebsites
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
6 45. Data provided by the 6countries clearly show that health centres are still not using computers in health records management except Nigeria where 60% of the hea lth centres have computers. Telephone penetration in health centres in Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar and Sudan shows that over 60% of the health centres have telephones while there are health centres operating without telephones nearly 30% of the health centres in Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan, and about 10% of the health centres in Madagascar. Internet connection in health centres is much better in Madagascar (25% of the health centres are connected) compared to Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan where only 5% of the health centres have Internet connection while Togo’s 0.44% of the health centres have Internet connection. Websites are not popular in health centres with Congo’s 0%, Cote d’Ivoire’s 2%, Madagascar’s 3%, Sudan’s 1% and Togo’s 0% of the health centres having websites.
E-employment
46. E-employment is the less popular application in Africa. Only Mali indicated existence of best practice for e-workers and e-employers at the national level. However, several countries (45% of the respondents) including Congo, DRC, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda have initiatives that promote new ways of organizing work and business with the aim of raising productivity, growth and well-being through investment in ICTs and human resources. And 2 count ries (10% of the respondents), Ethiopia and Nigeria have confirmed best practices of teleworking with national and international clients. Ethiopia mentioned the video conferencing facility on its WoredaNet initiative (district level VSAT based network) as an example of facilitating teleworking in Ethiopia.
E-environment
47. The WSIS Plan of Action states “governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders are encouraged to use and promote ICTs as an instrument for environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources”. In this regard, 55% of the countries (which include Benin, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan and Togo) indicated that their governments use and promote ICTs as an instrument for environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources. 7 countries (35% of the respondents), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Sudan, Togo and Uganda, stated that they have guidelines for discarding hardware and components used in ICTs as part of the production and consumption and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling. 7 countries (35% of the respondents), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo, indicated that they have a national monitoring system to forecast the impact of natural and man-made disasters.
E-agriculture
48. The WSIS Plan of Action calls for “the systematic dissemination of information using ICTs on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and food in order to provide ready access to comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed knowledge and information, particularly in rural areas”. In this connection, 45% of the countries (which include Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, the Gambia, and Uganda) indicated that their government promotes implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action. 5 countries (25% of the respondents), Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Nigeria, have public -private partnerships that seek to maximize the use of ICTs as an instrument to improve production. Finally, only
7 Nigeria responded to the question on the percentage of ICT personnel in the agriculture sector per total number of staff in the sector which is 10%.
E-science
49. In pursuit of scientific knowledge for development, many developing, and especially African countries through their higher education institutions, will need to form part of the evolving global e-science community. This would require “affordable and reliable high- speed Internet connection for all universities and research institutions to support their critical role in information and knowledge production, education and training, and to support the establishment of partnerships, cooperation and networking between these institutions”, according to the WSIS Plan of Action. To this effect, 55% of the respondents indicated that their governments promote affordable and reliable connectivity in the higher learning and research institutions. 25% of the respondents (Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar and Nigeria) have a strategy or guideline on the promotion of long-term systematic and efficient collection, dissemination and preservation of essential scientific digital data. 6 countries, (30% of the respondents) Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria, integrated Geo-information and National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) issues into the e-strategy formulation process. However, only 3 countries (Egypt, Madagascar and Niger), 15% of the respondents, have confirmed the existence in their countries of a coordination mechanism between the NSDI and the e-strategy development and implementation process.
Section VIII
Ensuring cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
50. Cultural diversity, promotion and use of local languages as well as promotion of local content were advocated by the Geneva Plan of Action, which requested member States to
“create policies that support the respect, preservation, promotion and enhancement of cultural and linguistic diversity and cultural heritage within the Information Society, ….. This includes encouraging governments to design cultural policies to promote the production of cultural, educational and scientific content and the development local cultural industries suited to the linguistic and cultural context of the users”. In Africa, national e-strategies are attempting to put greater emphasis on local content creation and examination of political, economic and social dimensions to support African languages in the Information Society. In this context, 55% of the respondents indicated that they have ICT policy statements regarding the respect, preservation, promotion and enhancement of cultural and linguistic heritage within the information society. 40% of the respondents have policies and laws to ensure that libraries, archives , museums and other cultural institutions can play their full role of content, including traditional knowledge-providers. 60% of the respondents indicated that their governments support local content development, translation and adaptation, digital archive s and diverse forms of digital and traditional media through central government, local authorities and also by Public-Private Partnerships. Only 35% of the respondents have initiatives that support the creation of software in local languages. As shown in the graph below, 39% of the respondents confirmed that their governments promote (through Public - Private partnership, etc.) R&D programmes in development of hardware and software, including proprietary, open source software and free software, standard character sets, language codes, electronic dictionaries, terminology and thesauri, multilingual search
8 engines, machine translation tools, internationalized domain names, content referencing as well as general and application software.
Graph 14: Cultural diversity and content development
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Promotion of linguistic and cultural heritage
Promotion of content development through libraries,
archives &
Museum
Support to local content development through PPP
Initiatives on creation of software in local
languages
Promotion of R&D in development of
hardware and software
Percentage
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
51. Statements from countries on respect, preservation, promotion and enhancement of linguistic and cultural heritage.
Benin
The ICT policy promotes the respect, preservation and promotion of cultural, linguistic heritages through the support on the production of multimedia information on the culture of Benin; development of virtual museums; promotion of online reservation of tourist sites and hotels; and utlisation of ICTs to provide information on national libraries.
Ethiopia
The policy clearly specifies the need for promotion of cultural and linguist heritages.
Specifically the need for Developing content for preserving the value, wisdom and acquired knowledge of traditional communities and culture is clearly described in the policy.
9 Uganda
One of the ICT Policy objectives is to capture, preserve and promote indigenous culture, knowledge and heritage as a strategy to achieve the promotion of multilingualism.
52. Achievements on local content development.
Ethiopia
A localization project on the preparation of glossaries of ICT terminology for 3 local languages is completed and there is an ongoing project to achieve the same for 2 additional local languages. Also a keyboard standard for Ethiopic alphabets has been developed.
Madagascar
There is a vast project on Malagachisation of ICTs.
Mali
A project on digitalisation of the ancient manuscripts of Tombouctou is under way.
53. Provisio n of support on creation of software in local languages.
Ethiopia
As mentioned in the box above, a software and standards were developed for Ethiopic character sets.
Madagascar
The software used in community development is localized.
Mali
A software programme in Bambara language was developed in the framework of the Multilingual Dictionary (DIDADI) promoted by a Malian University Lecturer.
Senegal
Microsoft has started translation in Wolof language of Windows Vista and Office 2007. A computer dictionary in French-English-Wolof languages are being prepared in the framework of the ANAFA project.
Nigeria
There are initiatives to create software in three main local languages (Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo). There are also Public Private Partnership with Microsoft, Civil Society, local private organizations and Research Institutions to support R&D programmes in development of hardware and software.
10
Section IX Media
54. As stated in the WSIS Declaration of Principles, the media should have “freedom to seek, receive, impart and use information for the creation, accumulation and dissemination of knowledge which are important to the information society”. Indeed the media play a significant role in promoting the information society, especially in developing countries.
However journalists need an appropriate enabling environment in order to operate in an optimum manner especially in relation to the promotion of ICT for development issues. This was reiterated in the Geneva Action Plan which urged member States to promote “the development of domestic legislation that guarantees the independence and plurality of the media”. In this regard, 85% of the respondents indicated that the media play an important role in creating the information society in their respective countries. 90% of the respondents stated that their governments guarantee independence and plurality of the media. 85% of the respondents indicated that the media promote balanced and diverse portrays of women and men in their countries. However only 50% of the respondents stated that there are initiatives in their respective countries to encourage traditional media to bridge the knowledge divide and to facilitate the flow of cultural content, particularly in rural areas. Some of the countries stated that this is done through the community radio stations such as in The Gambia and Niger.
Section X
Ethical dimensions of the information society
55. The Geneva Plan of Action states “the Information Society should be subject to universally held values and promote the common good and prevent abusive uses of ICTs”.
As a result, countries are urged to uphold the moral dimension of the information society where information rights and obligations, such as intellectual property rights, and privacy are respected and adhered to. It is also widely recognized that ethical issues are intertwined with social and political issues. In this context, the WSIS Plan of Action indicates that “All actors in the Information Society should promote the common good, protect privacy and personal data and take appropriate actions and preventive measures, as determined by law, against abusive uses of ICTs such as illegal and other acts motivated by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, hatred, violence, all forms of child abuse, including pedophilia and child pornography, and trafficking in, and exploitation of, human beings”. In this regard, 35% of the respondents (Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda) confirmed that their ICT policy promotes awareness of the ethical dimension of the use of ICTs or else there are other mechanisms which are used to do so. However only 35%
of the respondents (Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda), asserted that the academia are engaged in research on ethical dimensions of ICTs.
11
Section XI
International and regional cooperation
56. The Geneva Plan of Action states that “International cooperation among all stakeholders is vital in implementation of the Plan of Action and needs to be strengthened with a view to promoting universal access and bridging the digital divide, inter alia, by provision of means of implementation”. In this regard, one of the main WSIS follow -up programmes was the launching of Connect Africa initiative in October 2007 in Kigali, Rwanda. Connect Africa is an example of a multi stakeholder partnership at the international level to mobilise human, financial and technical resources to bridge major gaps in ICT infrastructure across Africa.
The following Connect Africa 5 Goa ls are currently being implemented with support from international and regional African organizations and the international private sector:
- Interconnect all African capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012.
- Connect African villages to broadband ICT services by 2015 and implement shared access initiatives such as community telecentres and village phones.
- Adopt key regulatory measures that promote affordable, widespread access to a full range of broadband ICT services, including technology and service neutral licensing/authorization practices, allocating spectrum for multiple, competitive broadband wireless service providers, creating national Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and implementing competition in the provision of international Internet connectivity.
- Support the development of a critical mass of ICT skills required by the knowledge economy, notably through the establishment of a network of ICT Centres of Excellence in each sub-region of Africa and ICT capacity-building and training centres in each country, with the aim of achieving a broad network of inter-linked physical and virtual centres, while ensuring coordination between academia and industry by 2015.
- Adopt a national e-strategy, including a cyber security framework, and deploy at least one flagship e-government service as well as e-education, e-commerce and e-health services using accessible technologies in each country in Africa by 2012, with the aim of making multiple e-government and other e-services widely available by 2015.
57. In order to coordinate internal and external initiatives and international and regional cooperation, there is a need to establish and designate a body in each country to lead ICT initiativ es. In this context, 55% of the respondents (Benin, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan) have an officially designated institution to manage and monitor implementation of the national e-strategy and the WSIS outcomes. 65% of the respondents confirmed that there country had put in place a coordination mechanism between the various ICT actors in implementing the national e- strategy.
58. In addition, there should be continuous follow up and evaluation of the impact of ICTs on the overall national development process. In this regard, only 35% of the respondents (Burundi, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Madagascar and Nigeria) have in place an institution to assess and measure the impact of the implementation of the various plans of their e-strategy in particular and the information and knowledge economy activities in general. Some of the tools used to benchmark, assess and measure the impact of e-strategies
12 include ITU’s indicators, ITU’s, Digital Access Index, WSIS indicators and SCAN-ICT tools. In addition to SCAN-ICT, Ghana uses the eGhana Indicators.
Graph 15: Stakeholder partnership in WSIS / NICI implementation
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Promote ICT-led stakeholder groups/networks Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Incubator schemes/technology park International venture capital investments Investment promotion strategies Support of research and development networks National charter to encourage use of ccTCD domain
Percentage
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa WSIS questionnaire (2008)
59. Graph 15 represents the mechanisms applied in the countries for strengthening stakeholders’
partnerships and effective implementation of ICT policies and WSIS outcomes. Accordingly, public-private partnership is the most popular mechanism applied in 55% of respondents. The less applied mechanisms by only 15% of the countries include: National venture capital investment; International venture capital investments; Software export activities (trade counseling); and Support for software parks. However, 65% of the respondents indicated that there are ICT projects supported by international cooperation and assistance.
Conclusion
60. The result of the survey shows that there are impressive successes in the national e-strategy development process in the continent, which is evident from the number of countries with ICT policies currently standing at 42 countries among the 53 member States. An additional five countries are in the process of developing their ICT strategies. Only six countries have not initiated the ICT policy development process yet. Some of the countries have also embarked on the development the various sectoral strategies in the areas of e-government, e-business, etc. as shown from the examples that countries reported in this survey. However, the low level of growth in e-business applications can be correlated with the lack of existence of cyber-security laws, policies and guidelines in the countries. In addition, some key sectors such as health and agriculture are still at their developmental infancy.
61. In the area of infrastructure, the low level of development of the existing terrestrial and fiber optic infrastructure is impacting negtively on access to information and knowledge. However, growth and use of mobile technology is phenomenal.
62. In terms of capacity building, most countries have identified their capacity building requirements and some have already prioritised capacity building as the main pillar of the policy. As gathered from earlied ECA studies of 33 African countries, as shown in graph 16 below, human resource development is the key priority policy focus for most countries.
63. On the enabling environment for investment in the ICT sector, most countries created favourable environment through the various policies and liberalization of the telecom market.
This has positive impact in investments, especially in relation to the mobile market. Also universal access strategies are being implemented to enable access to rural areas and disenfranchised groups.
64. With the high level commitment of governments in the countries surveyed and the increasing multi-stakeholder partnerships, it is expected that the e-strategy implementation process, including development of the corresponding sectoral strategies would bear fruits in a near future with support from ECA and other partners. There is positive sign for countries to achieve most of the outcomes of the WSIS Plan of Action by 2015.
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1 Graph 16: Priority Policy Focus areas
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa
18 18
15
16
18
17
13
10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Education Human Resources Development Health E-government Infrastructure Development Private Sector Development Legal & Regulatory Framework Agriculture
Priority Policy Focus Areas
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2
UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
Annex 1: Questionnaire on the Status of WSIS and NICI Implementation
This survey is conducted to determine the status of implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Soc iety (WSIS), including the National Information and
Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policies and plans (National e-strategies) developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and other partners.
The questionnaire is divided into the following 6 sections structured according to WSIS action lines:
0. General Information
1. The role of government on the enabling environment 2. Status on the development of the e-strategy process 3. Status of implementation - action plans and priority areas
4. Countries’ capacity to implement its national e-strategy - management, monitoring and evaluation
5. Investments for e-strategy implementation – Financing and resource mobilization
UECA is kindly requesting you to complete the questionnaire and send it by 15 October 2008 to:
Mr. Abebe Chekol
Project Officer, ICT and Science and Technology Division (ISTD) Email: achekol@uneca.org
Fax: +251 11 5510512 Tel: + 251 11 5443248
A copy should also be sent to Mr. Makane Faye (mfaye@uneca.org).
A regional follow up conference on the WSIS (Tunis + 3) will be organized early next year to discuss among other issues the results of this survey.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Page 3
3 0 General Information
0.1 Focal point details
Country:--- Ministry/Institution (responsible for national ICT policy):
--- Physical Address:
--- --- Name(s) of Contact Person(s):
--- --- Title:
---
Telephone:
---
Fax:
---
Email:
--- City:
---
Date:
---
I. The role of government in the promotion of ICTs for development
1.1. In your opinion, do you think “Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs)”
are an overall priority for your government?
1.1.1 (Please specify: 1= strongly disagree, 7= strongly agree)
--- 1.2 What is the current status of the e-strategy development process in your country?
o Formulation o Awareness
o Approval of Policy/Plans
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4
o Completion
o Implementation
1.3 When did the e-strategy development process start? ---
1.4 When was the baseline study conducted? --- ---
1.4.1 How long did it take to complete the baseline study?
o 1-year o 2-year o other, please specify -
--- 1.4.2 Who undertook the study?
--- ---
1.4.3 What are the elements of the study?
--- ---
--- ---
1.4.4 Which agency/ministry has been leading the policy formulation process?--- --- ---
1.4.5 What are the main pillars of the ICT policy? Please rank them according to the priorities of the Government--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1.4 When was the ICT policy approved? Please provide dates and copy of bill, decree, circular or any tool, which has enacted its official approval--- --- ---
--- --- ---
1.5 Was it approved by (tick one)
o Cabinet
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5 o Parliament
o Other (please specify) --- ---
1.6 Are public funds being allocated to the e-strategy implementation process? If so, please specify how--- --- --- ---
1.7 Are there funding partners involved?
o ECA o UNDP o ITU
o Other (please specify--- --- ---
1.8 Which stakeholder groups were consulted in the formulation of the e-strategy; from the Policy Framework Document to the implementation plan?
o Private sector o Civil society o Public sector
o NGOs o UN Institutions o National Institutions
o Universities and Educational Institutes
o Internet users and providers o Religious Entities o Women Associations
o Youth Groups
o Others, please specify--- --- ---
1.9 Please indicate if there are any functioning public-private partnership initiative(s) in relation to the e-strategy? --- --- --- ---
1.10 Has the e-strategy been integrated into other on-going and/or existing processes such as:
o PRSPs o MDGs.
o Others, please specify
Please describe how --- --- --- --- ---
II. Status on the implementation of e -strategy
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6 2.1 Information and communication infrastructure
2.1.1 Please provide us with statistical data (gender disaggregated data if available) on the following questions with regard to ICT Infrastructure development in your country 2.1.1.1 The number of telephone landlines per 100 inhabitants---
--- ---
2.1.1.2 The number of Mobile subscribers per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.3 The number of Internet subscribers per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.4 The number of Broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.5 International Internet bandwidt h per inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.6 The number of PCs per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.7 The number of mobile subscribers as percentage of the total telephone subscribers --- --- ---
2.1.1.8 The number of Radios per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.1.9 The number of TVs per 100 inhabitants--- ---
2.1.2 Does the country have the following conditions in place to implement the e-strategy with regard to:
2.1.2.1 Conducive environment for the necessary investment in ICT infrastructure (please describe, how)--- --- --- ---
2.1.2.2 Universal access policy and strategy including its means of implementation (please specify)--- --- --- ---
2.1.2.3 In the context of the national e-strategy, how do you describe the availability of
connectivity to schools, universities, health institutions, libraries, post offices, community centers, museums and other institutions accessible to the public in line with the indicative targets? --- --- ---
2.1.2.3.1 Please specify the number of telephone access facilities per 1000 inhabitants (within 5 kms/walking distance) ------
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7
------ --------- -----
2.1.2.4 How access and connectivity level of international broadband network in the country are (please specify)--- --- ---
2.1.2.5 Situation of access to connectivity and regional backbones and Internet exchange points in the country (please specify)--- --- --- --- 2.1.2.6 In the context of the e-strategy, are there appropriate educational, administrative and
legislative measures to ensure the full inclusion of women in the Information Society (please specify)--- --- --- --- ---
--- --- ---
2.2 Access to information and knowledge
2.2.1 Is there a policy (guideline) for the development and promotion of public domain
information to promote public access to information? (Please describe) --- --- --- --- --
--- --- ---
2.2.2 Are strategies in place to undertake Innovation, Science & Technology and Research (Please specify)--- --- --- ---
2.2.3 Does the government put in place a mechanism for respecting intellectual property rights (IPRs) while encouraging the use of information and sharing of knowledge? (Please specify, how?)--- --- --- ---
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8 2.2.4 Are there any activities/initiatives underway or planned to promote awareness among all
stakeholders of the possibilities offered by different software models, and the means of their creation, including proprietary, open source and free software? (Please specify) --- --- --- ---
2.2.5 Are strategies in place to establish and promote multi-purpose community public access points? (Please describe status)--- --- --- --- -
2.2.5.1 Please provide percentage of localities with public Internet access centers (PIACs) or Multipurpose Community Telecentres (MCTs) by number of inhabitants (rural/urban)---- --- --- ---
--- ---
2.2.5.2 Please provide the number of telecentres or community ICT access centers per 1000 inhabit ants--- --- ---
2.2.5.2.1 Please indicate how many of the telecentres are managed by women and how many by men --- --- ---
2.2.5.3 Please provide the number of public phones per 1000 inhabitants (rural vs urban) --- --- --- ---
2.2.6 Does the government support the creation and development of content, a digital public library and archive services, adapted to the Information Society? (Please specify)--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.3 Capacity building
2.3.1 Is there an identified capacity building requirement for the country to embark on
knowledge economy activities? If so please state the capacity building needs:---
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9 --- --- ---
--- --- ---
2.3.2 Please describe the level of ICTs integration in the education and training at all levels, including in the curriculum--- --- --- ---
2.3.3 Are there any initiatives/programmes that promote e-literacy skills? (Please describe) ---- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.3.4 Are there initiatives or strategies in place to ensure that young people are equipped with knowledge and skills to use ICTs?--- --- ---
2.3.5 Are there initiatives or strategies in place to remove the gender barrier to ICT education and training and to promote equal opportunities in ICT-related fields for women and girls including targeting young girls with the aim of increasing the number of girls in ICT careers?--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 2.3.6 Please specify some statistical data on the total supply and demand of ICT skills (number
of Programmers/Software/System Developers / Analysts, Computer Scientists, Telecom / Network Engineers / Technicians, etc.)--- --- --- 2.3.7 Please specify the number of universities and colleges offering ICT programs---
--- --- ---
2.3.8 Please state the number of scientists and engineers per 1000 inhabitants --- --- --- --- ---
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10 2.3.8.1 Please provide a gender disaggregated data - the percentage of women scientists and
engineers --- --- --- --- -
2.4 Ensuring confidence and security in the use of ICTs 2.4.1 Does your country have cyber-security laws in place?
o Yes o No
If so, please specify when it was adopted and whether it has been revised since its adoption and date of revision--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.4.2 Is there national guidelines to prevent, detect and respond to cyber-crime? o Yes o No
If so please specify --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.4.3 Are there guidelines to overcome obstacles to the effective use of electronic document and transactions including electronic means of authentication? (If so please specify) --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.4.4 Are there guidelines with respect to rights to privacy, data and consumer protection? (If so please specify) ---
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11 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.4.5 Please describe the level of deployment of security systems with the public and private sector to combat cyber crime--- --- --- --- 2.4.6 Please describe the level of awareness in the country on ICT-related security issues---
--- --- --- --- ---
2.5 Enabling environment
2.5.1 Is there a conducive legislative and regulatory framework that foster supportive,
transparent, pro-competitive ICT market? What has been done? --- --- --- ---
--- --- ---
2.5.1.1 Please specify the number, types and list of legal and regulatory institutions relevant to the ICT for development process and activities --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.5.1.2 Please describe the impact of the legal and regulatory environment on the ICT industry--- --- --- --- ---
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12 2.5.2 Does e-commerce allow consumers to have a choice as to whether or not to use electronic communication?--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.5.3 Does your country’s ICT policy foster entrepreneurship, innovation and investment , and with particular reference to the promotion of participation by women? Please describe---- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2.5.4 Does the government promote the development and use of open, interoperable, non- discriminatory and demand-driven ICT standards?--- --- --- ---
III. Status of implementation - action plans and priority areas 3.1 Implementing ICT applications
3.1.1 E-Government
3.1.1.1 Does your country have e-government strategy in place? If so, please describe any initiatives and services underway-- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.1.2 Does your country participate in or support international cooperation
initiatives in the field of e-government? If so please describe--- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.1.3 Please specify the number and percent of government ministries, departments and agencies with Internet connection--- ---
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13 --- ---
3.1.1.4 Please specify the number and percent of government ministries, departments and agencies with Web Sites --- --- --- 3.1.1.5 Please specify the number and percent of government ministries, departments
and agencies providing services online--- --- --- 3.1.2 E-business
3.1.2.1 Does the government encourage and promote the benefits of international trade and the use of e-business?
o Yes o No
3.1.2.2 Does the government stimulate private sector investment, foster new applications, and public/private partnership?
o Yes o No
3.1.2.3 Does the government policy favour or assist the growth of SMMEs, in the ICT industry?
o Yes o No
If so please specify how--- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.2.4 Are the following activities underway or completed?
3.1.2.4.1 Enactment of legislation for regulatory frameworks on:
o e-transactions/e-payments, e-contracts o e-currencies
o e-commerce
o digital signature
o certification and cryptography o consumer protection/arbitration
o protection of intellectual property rights
3.1.2.4.2 Does your country have a National Certification Agency?
o Yes o No
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14 If yes give the name and full address --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.2.4.3 Does an electronic form of currency exist in your country?
o Yes o No
3.1.2.4.4 Are central and national banks playing a role in ensuring the
introduction of e-transactions/e-payments? If so please state below. --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.2.4.5 Does your country provide e-services? If so in what areas:
o BPOs
o ITES
o Call Centres 3.1.3 E-learning
3.1.3.1 Is there sufficient digital literacy for supporting digital economy and knowledge economy activities?
o Yes o No
3.1.3.2 Are there any content development activities underway or completed in support of e-learning? If so, please describe--- --- --- ---
3.1.3.3 Please specify number and percent of schools with
3.1.3.3.1 PCs--- 3.1.3.3.2 Telephone (fixed) --- 3.1.3.3.3 Mobile phone --- 3.1.3.3.4 Internet connectivity--- 3.1.3.3.5 Websites--- 3.1.4 E-health
3.1.4.1 Are there any programme in your country on building health information system and medical training, education and research through the use of ICTs including telemedicine initiatives? If so, please describe--- --- ---
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15 --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.4.2 Are there any common information system in your country that alert, monitor and control the spread of communicable diseases? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.4.3 Is there any ICT-based initiative you know of for providing medical and humanitarian assistance in disasters and emerge ncies? If so please specify? ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 3.1.4.4 Please specify the number and percent of health centers with
3.1.4.4.1 PCs--- 3.1.4.4.2 Telephone (fixed)--- 3.1.4.4.3 Mobile phone --- 3.1.4.4.4 Internet connectivity ---
3.1.4.4.5 Websites --- 3.1.5 E-employment
3.1.5.1 Is there any best practice for e-workers and e-employers at national level--- --- --- --- 3.1.5.2 Are there initiatives that promote new ways of organizing work and business
with the aim of raising productivity, growth and well-being through
investment in ICTs and human resources?--- --- --- --- ---
3.1.5.3 Are there any best practices of teleworking with national and international clients?--- --- --- --- ---
3.1.5.4 Are there supportive mechanisms that target young girls to increase the number of women in ICT careers?--- --- ---
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16 --- ---
3.1.6 E-environment
3.1.6.1 Does the government use and promote ICTs as an instrument for
environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources? Is so, please specify--- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.6.2 Are there any guidelines for discarding hardware and components used in ICTs as part of the production and consumption and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling? --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.6.3 Is there a national monitoring system using ICTs to forecast and promote the impact of natural and man-made disasters? Give examples --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.7 E-agriculture
3.1.7.1 Does the government promote the systematic dissemination of information using ICTs on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and food?
Please give examples --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.7.2 Are there any public-private partnerships that seek to maximize the use of ICTs as an instrument to improve production? If so please specify--- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.7.3 Please specify the percent of ICT personnel in the agriculture sector per total number of staff in the sector --- --- --- ----
3.1.8 E-science
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17 3.1.8.1 Does the government promote affordable and reliable high-speed Internet
connection for all universities and research institutions to support their critical role in information and knowledge production, education and training? If so please specify--- --- --- --- --- 3.1.8.2 Does the country have a strategy (guideline) on the promotion of long-term
systematic and efficient collection, dissemination and preservation of essential scientific digital data? If so please specify --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.8.3 Were Geoinformation and National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) issues integrated into the e-strategy formulation process of the country? If yes, please indicate how --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.1.8.4 Are there any existing coordination mechanisms between NSDI and the e- strategy development and implementation process in the country? If so please specify --- --- --- --- ---
3.2 Ensuring cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content 3.2.1 Does the ICT policy support the respect, preservation, promotion and
enhancement of cultural and linguistic and cultural heritage within the
Information Society? If yes, please specify --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.2.2 Does the country have policies and laws to ensure that libraries, archives, museums and other cultural institutions can play their full role of content -
including traditional knowledge -providers in the information society? If so, please specify--- --- ---
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18 --- --- ---
3.2.3 Does the government support local content development, translation and
adaptation, digital archives, and diverse forms of digital and traditional media by local authorities including through Public-Private Partnerships? If so please specify--- --- --- --- ---
3.2.4 Are there any initiatives (strategies) that support the creation of software in local languages? If so please specify--- --- --- ---
3.2.5 Does the government promote (through Public-Private partnership, etc.) R&D programmes in development of hardware and software, including proprietary, open source software and free software, standard character sets, language codes, electronic dictionaries, terminology and thesauri, multilingual search engines, machine translation tools, internationalized domain names, content referencing as well as general and application software? (please specify) --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.3 Media
3.3.1 Does the media play an important role in creating the information society in your country? If so, please specify how--- --- --- --- ---
3.3.2 Does the government enable the media to enjoy the guarantees of independence and plurality of the media? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- ---
3.3.3 Does the media promote balanced and diverse portrays of women and men? --- --- ---
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--- ---
3.3.4 Is there any initiative (strategy) to encourage traditional media to bridge the knowledge divide and to facilitate the flow of cultural content, particularly in rural areas? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.4 Ethical dimensions of the information society
3.4.1 Does the ICT policy promote awareness of the ethical dimension of the use of ICTs or are there other mechanisms which are doing it? Please specify --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
3.4.2 Is the academia engaged in research on ethical dimensions of ICTs in your country? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- ---
IV. Country’s capacity to implement the e -strategy - management, monitoring and evaluation
4.1 Institutional mechanisms
4.1.1 Is there a designated body to manage and monitor the implementation of the national e- strategy and/or WSIS outcomes? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- 4.1.2 Are there any existing coordination mechanisms between the various ICT sector actors in
implementing the national e-strategy process in the country? Please describe --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
4.2 Impact Evaluation
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20 4.2.1 Is there a designated body to assess and measure the impact of the implementation of the
various plans of your e-strategy in particular and the Information and Knowledge
Economy in general? If so, please specify --- --- --- --- ---
4.2.2 What evaluation tools do you use to benchmark, assess and measure the impact of e- strategies (for example the ECA - SCAN-ICT toolkit)? Please specify--- --- --- --- ---
4.2.3 What are the mechanisms in place for data collection based on the indicators of the tools used? Please indicate relevant institutions (National Statistical Office, Telecom
Regulatory Agency, line ministries, research centers, etc), describe data collection
intervals, availabilities, and measures undertaken --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
V, Creating enabling environment for e -strategy and WSIS implementation through the effective involvement of all stakeholders
What are the mechanisms applied in your country for strengthening stakeholders’
partnership and effective implication in the implementation of ICT policies and WSIS outcome?
¨ Promote ICT-led Stakeholder groups/networks
¨ Enhancement of the capacities of Parliamentarians and Parliament staff in support to e-strategy development process
¨ Public/Private Partnership (PPP)
¨ Multi-sector Partnership (MSP)
¨ Incubator schemes/technology Park
¨ National Venture capital investments
¨ International Venture capital investments
¨ Government investments funds (including micro-finance for small, medium-sized and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs)
¨ Investment promotion strategies
¨ Software export support activities (trade counseling)
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¨ Support of research and development networks
¨ Support of software parks
¨ National charter to encourage use of ccTCD domain names
¨ Adaptation of ICT infrastructure, tools and applications that facilitate accessibility of ICT for all, and disadvantaged groups in particular
VI- Investments for e -strategy implementation – Financing and resource mobilization 6.1 Financing and resource mobilization
6.1.1 Are there ICT projects supported by international cooperation and assistance? E.g.
projects on infrastructure development, applications, etc. If so, please specify--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
6.1.2 Are there pubic-private partnerships focusing on the use of ICTs in development? If so, please specify--- --- --- --- ---
6.1.3 Please also specify government investment (funding) for implementing the national e- strategy and/or ICT for development programme in general --- --- --- --- --- 6.1.3.1 Please specify government spending on ICT for development as percentage of GDP or national budget --- --- ---
6.1.3.2 Please state expenditure on R&D as percentage of GDP--- --- ---
6.2 General comments on e-strategy development and WSIS implementation processes --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
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22 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Thank you!!! Addis Ababa, 14 September 2008
Page 23
23 Annex 2: List of respondents
1.Benin
Mme Gilletta Méa Dilecta Gbanhoun Directrice Générale
Agence pour La Gestion des Nouvelles Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication (AGeNTIC)
Lot N° 110 Immeuble ex-Air Afrique Zone Commerciale Ganhi (2eme Etage) 08 BP 939
Cotonou, Benin
Tel : +229 95 95 27 48 / 90 92 12 92 Fax : +229 21 31 66 01
2. Burundi Mr. Salvator Niyibizi Secrétaire Exécutif SETIC
Tel: +257-22258749
Mob: +257 79496000 / +257 77824000
3. Congo (Republique Democratique) Mr. Alphonse Ntita Misakabu
Coordonnateur Cellule NTIC
Ministère des Postes, Téléphones et Télécommunications
Avenue de la Démocratie (ex. Av. des Huileries), n° 4484, KINSHASA-GOMBE.
Tel : + 243 (0) 1-510-1859 – + 243 (0) 1-500-5001 / (243)999909048/(243)810305993 Fax: (+ 243) 13 98 220 - (+243) 12 37 59 8220 – B.P: 15464 Kin I
4. Congo (Brazzaville)
Monsieur Marc Vincent de Paul Kallyth Point focal télécoms / TIC
Ministère des Postes et Telecommunications BP 44 Brazaville, Congo
Tel : +2425495676/ +2426687154 Fax : +2422810470
5. Cote d’Ivoire M. Henri Danon
Sous-Directeur Systèmes d'Information Direction du Développement des NTIC
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24 Ministère des NTIC
17 B.P. 737 Abidjan 17, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: +225 20344531 / 20344536 Mob: +225 07685615 / 01207662 Fax : + 225 20 344375
6. Egypt
Prof. Dr. Nadia Hegazi
Senior Expert for Strategic Planning
Ministry Of Communication and Information Technology MCIT Smart Village Km 28 Desert Road to Alex Giza B1
+202 35341375 Fax: +202 24528860
7. Ethiopia
Mr. Debretsion G. Michael Director General of the Ethiopian
Information and Communication Technology Development Agency
Mexico Square, Alta Building Addis Ababa P.O.Box 1028
Addis Ababa, Etiopía
Tel: +251 115503973 / +251 115500191 Fax : +251 115503974 / +251 115515894
8. Gambia Mr. Ebrima Jobe Director
ICT
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: +220 422 9928 Mobile: +220 7796 710
Fax: +220 422 79 54 / 4378029 9. Ghana
Mr. Issah Yahaya
Head of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Ministry of Communications
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233 21 68 56 56 / + 233 20 2011036 Mobile: +233 2020 110 32
Fax : +233 21 66 71 14
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25 10. Guinea-Bissau
Mr. Robert Djono
Chief of Department of Universal Service & ICT
Guinea-Bissau Communications Institute (GBCI) – Telecom & Posts Regulatory Authority Ministry of Transport and Communications
Rua 5 de Julho, CP. 1372 - Bissau Bissau
Telephone: +245 320 5152 or +245 320 4875 Mobile: +245 660 7043 0r +245 725 73 63 Fax: +245 320 4876 or +245 320 1137
11. Kenya John N. Kariuki
Communications Technology Expert Ministry of Information & Communication Tel: +254 20 2719953
Tel.+254-20-2719953 P.O.Box 72748 Nairobi, Kenya
12. Madagascar
Madame Razafitsara Alisoa
Chef de service TIC et Secteur Public Direction Générale des TIC
Ministère des Télécommunications, des Postes et de la Communication Tel : +261341139737 / +261 20 22 389 20
Mobile : +261 33 12 286 09
13. Mali
Mr. Mamadou Diallo Conseiller NTIC
Ministère de la Communication et des Nouvelles Technologies Square Patrice Lumumba x rue de l’Yser
Bamako, Mali
Téléphone : +223 683 44 86 Télécopie : +223 222 83 19
14. Mozambique
Eng. Lourino Alberto Chemane ICT Chief Technical Advisor
ICT Policy Implementation Technical Unit (UTICT) Ministry of Science and Technology
