Weekly News Roundup - Africa February 26

Created By: Esther on 26-Feb-2008 1:06 AM

Zimbabwe: Govt Seeks to Enhance ICT Policy Framework
Government will continue to seek the development of knowledge-based economy and society through the creation of an enabling and legislative policy framework for the information and communication technology sector, the director of policy development in the Ministry of Science and Technology, has said.
Speaking at a workshop organised by Microsoft and Zimbabwe Academic Research Network on new changes in technology and business practices last week Ms Scholastica Madzinga said Government was aware of the need to enhance Zimbabwe's knowledge base in information technology as ICTs were the driving force to development the world over.

Combating HIV-AIDS using ICTs
In this article, Kelvin Chibomba write about how to combat HIV and AIDS using ICTs
ICT is an acronym that many people up to now are not familiar with. It is surprising to find out that some of the university students in Zambia are not familiar with the acronym. But on the other hand, when you talk of computers and cell phones even ordinary children will be able to tell what they are and their use. Whether people do not know that computers and cell phones fall in the category of ICTs is something questionable.

East Africa: Works On Nepad Internet Cable Set to Start Soon
AFRICA's dream to have faster and cheaper internet connections like the West is now closer to reality.
This follows the approval of the Kigali Protocol on policy and regulatory framework for development of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, Nepad's Information and Communication Technology Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN), by Malawi last week.

Finland pledges Euros12 mil to Develop South Africa's ICT
Finland has pledged €12 million in development aid towards enhancing the delivery and implementation of Information Communication Technology infrastructure (ICT) in South Africa.
Through the Department of Communications, Finland has extended development aid totalling some €12 million to be used in the roll out of ICT infrastructure over the next three years. South Africa's Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri and Finland's Minister Counsellor Marjaana Sall on Monday signed an agreement on the Provincial Information Society Strategy Programme.


Kenya's Mobile Teledensity On the Rise
Kenya has registered a considerable growth in mobile teledensity over the years even as fixed teledensity continued to decrease alongside calling rates.
Consequently, total teledensity (both mobile and fixed) increased from 8.8 lines per 100 people in April 2003 to 14.7 lines in May 2005 following a steady growth in the number of mobile subscribers.
Despite this growth, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) Information Economy Report 2007-2008, "the great majority of fixed line subscribers - 94 per cent - still live in urban districts, while only 6 per cent of fixed lines reach out to rural areas."

Kenya's Internet Prices to Remain Unchanged
Internet users in Kenya should expect no connectivity price changes despite the operational turbulence caused by post- election violence.
Internet Service Providers (ISP) said that while the recent violence increased their operational costs, upward adjustment of prices would be impossible in the prevailing business environment.
"We do not see prices rising. ISP pricing structures are mostly pegged on the dollar, so on big swings on the exchange rate can force adjustments," said Mr Tej Bedi, the managing director of IS Solutions.

Limited IcT Spread Fails African Trade
The Commonwealth Business fraternity meeting last week in Kampala has expressed concern over the low levels of Information and Communication Technology (IcT) in Africa. The South African Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena says that Africa is still underdeveloped mainly due to little integration of IT into the grassroots people of the continent.
Mangena, while addressing delegates at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Kampala, said that the majority of Africans are still grappling with access to Information Communication Technology, yet ICTs are essential in business service access and delivery.

Conference Planned On ICT Marketing for Middle East and North Africa
Korea 's electronic giant, LG, has chosen Tunisia to host its marketing conference on information and communication technologies for the Middle East and North Africa .
The company's representatives for those countries, as well as its headquarter executives are to discuss new strategies to promote ICT's and namely computers, monitors, data stocking units and the launch of its latest range of technological products. The conference will take place on February 20 and 21, 2008.

Uganda's Local IT Firms Decry Few Contracts
ABOUT 80% of contracts in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are given to foreign companies although local firms have developed the capacity to handle them, writes Peter Kaujju.
"The IT sector in Uganda has been growing in the past few years. The opportunities are there but we are getting little of them. We are not less than anybody in the world in terms of service provision in the IT sector," Abhay Agrawal, the chairman and managing director of NCR, said.
NCR deals in various IT solutions like installation of Automated Teller Machines.

Kenya Pushes for Tax Incentives On ICT Equipment
Kenya's ICT ministry has written to the East African Community (EAC) committee on Transport and Communication (EATRANSOM) to zero-rate all ICT equipment entering the region.
Permanent secretary, Dr. Bitange Ndemo told East African Business Week recently that the move would spur fast growth of the ICT sector in the region which would translate directly into economic development.


How Technology Can Be Used to Improve Government Services
There are as many ideas on how to make technology work in government as there are experts on the new subject of reinventing government.
E-government, or electronic government, uses modern technologies such as the Internet and the mobile phone to give improved services to business and the people.
Currently it is possible to apply for a government job or clear imported goods through the Public Service Commission and the Kenya Revenue Authority websites.

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