Overview of e-readiness in the SADC Region

Transcription

1 October 2002 Overview of e-readiness in the SADC Region Regional Workshop on Building e-governance Capacity, Johannesburg Brian Neilson Director

2 Outline Context What do we mean by e-readiness Why an e-readiness study for SADC? SADC study - process and emphasis Key findings Fundamental, middle and advanced level e-readiness Strategy development Key strategic questions Examples of strategies at fundamental, middle and advanced levels Summary of strategic recommendations

3 What do we mean by e-readiness? Focused on: Applications with real benefits to communities Communication Access to information & knowledge Governance Commerce Available technological infrastructure and capacity Source: SATCC e-readiness task force - terms of reference for the study

4 What do we mean by e-readiness? Focused on: Applications with real benefits to communities Communication Access to information & knowledge e.g. Health care Education Governance And international (e-) commerce participation Governance Commerce Available technological infrastructure and capacity Source: SATCC e-readiness task force - terms of reference for the study

5 So what is e-readiness? Refers to the extent that a country or region is prepared for participation in the electronic world Determined by a number of factors Roll-out of technology infrastructure Human factors, including attitudes, skills, education Access to traditional media Other building blocks such as usage of banking services, and e-government Supported by underlying policy and regulatory environment

6 Why an e-readiness Study for SADC? SADC Heads of State and Government declaration, Blantyre, August 2001 gave priority to bridging the digital divide in all SADC member states Immediately followed by setting up ICT Task Force Members include representatives of member states, academia, and the private sector Charged with, inter-alia, researching the e- readiness status of member states and reporting to SATCC Commissioned this study : task force and consulting team led by BMI-T

7 Conclusions of World Economic Forum, SADC workshop - Johannesburg, 2001 SADC nations run the risk of setting the bar too low, at their peril New solutions that fit Africa need to come from within Africa

8 Project Design Framework Review of existing e-readiness frameworks Development of a tailor-made framework for SADC region Primary research in all 14 SADC countries Policy & regulatory review of each country Benchmarking Strategy development

9 Specific emphasis: Nepad Regional cooperation ICT infrastructure development Education

10 Specific emphasis: World Bank Group Strategy Deregulation Privatisation Private sector development and competition Focus on benefits to the end user (e.g. affordability) Government and private sector cooperation e-governance a committed approach

11 Specific emphasis: World Economic Forum study Emphasis on the SADC region Solutions must be tailor-made for region ICT infrastructure development Attract foreign investment Involve all levels of the community Urban Rural Focus on benefits applications such as healthcare, agriculture, education

12 Integration of key recommendations from NEPAD, WEF and World Bank 1. Regional cooperation 1. Network of expertise and skills available to all member countries 2. Policy approach 1. Deregulation of telecoms, encouragement of privatisation and increased competition to the benefit of users 2. Encouragement of strong cooperation between government and private sector 3. Growth of the ICT infrastructure 4. Increased access Different goals for urban and rural 5. Focus on education, e-awareness and acceptance 1. Distance e-learning 2. Pool of skilled youth (IT) 3. Regional education programs 4. Local content creation

13 Internet infrastructure in Africa Source: Mike Jensen for IDRC Acacia project

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15 Key Findings: SADC e-readiness Review and Strategy (June 2002)

16 Fundamental Level e-readiness Universal access to (basic) telecommunications Basicunderlying infrastructure and ability to use technology Electricity Access to traditional media (radio, television) Skills & education Relevant local content Interactive multimedia (touch-screen) kiosks

17 Fundamental level Fundamental level

18 Middle Level e-readiness Telecommunications infrastructure, teledensity & mobile penetration Internet access Public and private access Affordability Fundamental Internet applications ( ) Focus on priority applications e.g. e-government, e-health, e-education, with PC penetration in schools, clinics, community centres, government offices and businesses Local content development capability

19 Middle level Middle level

20 Advanced Level e-readiness e-commerce Local and global Business and government Use of banking system Foundational requirements Well-developed banking infrastructure Commercial & legal support mechanisms & policy frameworks Attitudes

21 Advanced level Advanced level

22 Strategy development

23 The key strategic questions in a nutshell 1. Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? 2. Question2: What benchmark should we set for SADC e- readiness? 3. Question 3: How do we differentiate between rural and urban strategies? 4. Question 4: What emphasis should be placed on a regional strategy versus country-specific strategies? 5. Question 5: Who are the key-stakeholders? What funds are available for e-readiness? 6. Question 6: Should the responsibility for e-readiness fall under one ministry or a national body? 7. Question 7: What macro factors/events will have an impact on SADC e-readiness?

24 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? 1. Fundamental level Electricity: Penetration of households vs electricity at schools and community centres Education: ICT education is a goal in itself and as a facilitator of education Television: Private ownership vs television sets at central points in the community Emphasis is on exposure rather than ownership Local content

25 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? Education considerations Donor agencies will support the roll-out of ICT technologies at the school, college and adult education level Donors will support PPPs for technical skills training of the next generation of ICT workers Donors will advise and provide skills training for entrepreneurs and government officials seeking to develop applications Lifelong learning should be encouraged Distance learning has become a key way of extending high quality, world class education However, local content is critical

26 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? 2. Middle level Focus on priority applications E-Health E-Government E-Learning PCs, TV, multimedia kiosks etc. in central access points in the community (Multipurpose community centers) Government plays a key role in rolling out priority applications at this level!

27 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? 2. Middle level Focus on priority applications E-Health E-Government E-Learning PCs, TV, multimedia kiosks etc. in central access points in the community (Multipurpose community centers) Internet access Increase Internet population This is viable through the Cyber Café model Internet affordability must be addressed

28 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? Infrastructure considerations 1. General development and e-readiness should be addressed simultaneously. Emphasis on general development concerns of rural electrification, basic education, primary healthcare, access to transport routes and basic telephony will ensure that governments do not attempt to create an e-ready society in a vacuum.

29 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? Infrastructure considerations 2. Consider a variety of non-traditional infrastructure as a means to attain universal access. These include mobile, wireless and satellite infrastructure, multipurpose community centres and rural telecentres.

30 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? Infrastructure considerations 3. Technology and infrastructure should be affordable to ensure sustainability of services.

31 Question 1: What will have the biggest impact on e-readiness? 3. Advanced level Focus initially on government and business e-commerce usage International and local Government can encourage e-business development by making selected business-togovernment (B2G) applications mandatory Gradually build consumer e- usage Start with applications such as e-banking Preceded by traditional banking

32 Question 4. Emphasis on a regional strategy vs individual country strategies? Both regional and country-level strategies are needed

33 Question 6: Should responsibility fall under one ministry or a national body? A national body is necessary to resolve inter-ministerial conflict and lethargy. It will play a coordinating role

34 Question 7: What macro factors/events will have an impact? Connection with Europe (SAT-3) and Far East (SAFE) Cost efficient (savings in interconnect charges) on both the supply and the demand side Interconnecting regional grids COMESA (Comtel) SADC Regional Information Infrastructure (SRII) projects RASCOM? NEPAD

35 Strategic recommendations in summary 1. Parallel processes are key 2. Encourage cooperation between government and private sector 3. Liberalisation, re-regulation and competition Government needs to take the lead through policy Emphasis on free market approach, competition (benefits to end user) 4. Regional cooperation Emphasis on knowledge and skills exchange Infrastructure development e.g. regional backbone networks

36 The strategic recommendations revisited (continued) 5. Increased access Different strategies for urban and rural areas Affordability is the key issue internet, telecoms etc. still unaffordable for many 6. Growth of ICT infrastructure Emphasis on PC penetration, teledensity and exposure to media and interactive multimedia kiosks Also vital to focus on the fundamental enablers for technology such as electricity

37 The strategic recommendations revisited (continued) 7. Focus on education and local content ICT education is a goal in itself and as a facilitator of education Schools are key to the rapid diffusion of ICT education in communities Tertiary sector needs to support growth in local ICT sector skills base and creation of advanced content (software-based) Use all available methods and platforms Key to develop relevant local content at all levels 8. Focus on awareness and attitudes Create awareness and positive attitudes Significant cultural challenge (e.g. banking) Exposure through traditional broadcast media etc

38 Immediate sources SADC e-readiness Review and Strategy, 2002 (with bibliography) Contact: Nitin Jaddoo BMI-TechKnowledge Communication Technologies Handbook, 2002 Forge Ahead BMI-T ICT in Government Handbook, 2002 (launched at this workshop your copy provided)

39 Thank You!

40 Notes: Some policy issues for e-readiness (beyond telecommunications policy)

41 Key issues in developing a sound policy framework (beyond telecommunications) Trade agreements and tariff standardisation Enterprise and entrepreneurship development E-commerce promotion Banking and financial sector development Digital contract and signatures Security, public/private key infrastructure Encryption

42 Key issues in developing a sound policy framework (2) Personal data privacy protection Exchange controls Copyright and intellectual property rights Liability Electronic payments Duties and import tariffs Computer crimes and electronic fraud Telemedicine Consumer rights

43 Thank you.