Weekly news roundup - Africa March 30

Created By: Esther on 30-Mar-2007 12:00 AM

Alcatel wins EASSy contract
Alcatel-Lucent, the French telecommunications giant, has won the US$240 million contract for the construction of the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy). The announcement was made last week by a consortium of 23 operators (EASSy parties) from the countries involved in the project.

The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007
The World Economic Forum has released the Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007.


Attempting a rescue of poorly performing telecentres
Dozens of telecentres set up to take telecommunications services to rural areas have been an absolute waste of time and money, says an organisation trying to salvage them.

Task force proposes ICT projects for African health
A working group has proposed pilot projects to deliver information and communication technologies (ICT) to sub-Saharan Africa in order to improve healthcare systems.

Connecting advice centres in rural South Africa
Rural communities are often marginalised because they are too small and remote for their development to be profitable. Government services are slow to reach these areas, and a lack of infrastructure makes communication difficult. The result is that community members are not informed about their rights as citizens, are not aware of opportunities available to them and are often denied basic services.

Ghana: Signs of software success
You are on holiday in Ghana's capital, Accra. Walking down the street, you wonder what that tall building with the clock tower is to your left. On the gatepost, you see a little black and white drawing - a calling card from one of Ghana's leading software developers, Guido Sohne. You reach for your internet-enabled mobile phone and with its camera take a photo of the small square sign.

ICT for 'every African'
A Nigerian minister has urged African leaders to increase access to information and communication technology (ICT) though his country's own scheme is floundering because of inadequate government support.





 

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