Scan-ICT : indicators of information and communications technologies

Abstract

By 2006, almost half of the workforce in developed countries will be employed by industries that are either producers or intensive users of information and communication technologies (ICTs) products and services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, the average teledensity is a mere two lines per 100 inhabitants and only 0.6 percent of Internet users worldwide are on the African continent. Despite the growth of mobile telephones, which has outstripped that of fi xed lines, Africa still lags behind in the transition to an Information Economy. In order for the Continent to achieve meaningful social and economic development, massive improvements in ICT-utilization are necessary. Countries need to create an enabling environment in areas such as policy formulation and regulatory frameworks, which support the growth of the technology industry. Although ICT initiatives and national e-strategies have proliferated in the last few years, not much has been done to measure their impact on the lives of people