Digital domains and new development strategies: revisiting ICT policy-making in the Global South

Abstract

National communication planning in Africa must incorporate the latest generation of information technologies, but planning must aim at concrete development results in terms of employment and incomes. For the technology to generate the best results it must be based on institutional changes such as improvement of literacy levels and a type of basic and professional education which requires active reaching out to get information to develop personal knowledge systems. Planning requires multi-stakeholder cooperation involving educational, entrepreneurial, political and community cooperation. Regulation and investment/entrepreneurial opportunities need to be far more flexible and user-friendly.Access to information in government, research centres and other institutions needs to be far more open, available and inviting.