Report on Economic and Social Conditions of the Eastern Africa Sub-Region 2009

While some countries in the subregion have already or are in the process of putting in place ICT development policies, strategies and programmes, others are somehow lagging behind and need to make up for lost time in order to avoid imbalanced development in this sector. ICTs can only serve as effective tools of broad-based development, poverty reduction and opportunity for all, if people in every corner of developing countries and at all levels of society have reliable and affordable access to them. Broadening the reach and affordability of these technologies and services is a complex and difficult challenge for many developing countries, requiring substantial investments that are often unaffordable for the public sector and unattractive to the private sector. Priority areas could include e-government, health and education and information access to rural communities. In that context, coordinated initiatives motivated by regional cooperation and exchange of experience through a network of national experts should be promoted.

It is noted, however, that much of the ICT content is still mostly foreign and that cross-cutting issues of gender, youth, and people with disabilities (PWD) have not been adequately addressed. Moreover, there is lack of public/private partnership in the ICT sector.

While some countries in the subregion have already or are in the process of putting in place ICT development policies, strategies and programmes, others are somehow lagging behind and need to make up for lost time in order to avoid imbalanced development in this sector. ICTs can only serve as effective tools of broad-based development, poverty reduction and opportunity for all, if people in every corner of developing countries and at all levels of society have reliable and affordable access to them. Broadening the reach and affordability of these technologies and services is a complex and difficult challenge for many developing countries, requiring substantial investments that are often unaffordable for the public sector and unattractive to the private sector. Priority areas could include e-government, health and education and information access to rural communities. In that context, coordinated initiatives motivated by regional cooperation and exchange of experience through a network of national experts should be promoted.

It is noted, however, that much of the ICT content is still mostly foreign and that cross-cutting issues of gender, youth, and people with disabilities (PWD) have not been adequately addressed. Moreover, there is lack of public/private partnership in the ICT sector.