“Peculiarities of the digital divide

in sub-Saharan Africa”

Paper written by Stephen M. Mutula, July 2004

Contribution to the conference ”Emerald”Program: Electronic library and information systems

-------Presentation by Siri Fyksen

February 2011

Definition of digital divide

The digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology and the resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen. Knowledge divide reflects the access of various social groupings to information and knowledge, typically gender, income, race, and by location.[1] The term global digital dividerefers to differences in access between countries.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide

The concept of the digital divide

• “The digital divide is probably one of the first concepts considered when reflecting on the theme of the social impact caused by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

• From there on, one perceives that these technologies are going to produce differences in the development opportunities of people, and that a distance will be established between those with access to these technologies and those without.”

Source: http://vecam.org/article549.html

New digital divide, new challenges

• The new digital divide (ITU 2002): – From basic to advanced communication– From quantity to quality

• So far little attention to definition of social and other implications of the digital divide

• Encompassing physical, digital, human and social relationships (Warschauer 2002)

• Consideration (take account) of content, language, literacy, education, community and institutional structures (needed to provide meaningful access to new technologies) (Warschauer 2002)

Map of Sub-Saharan Africa

Source: Photo courtesy of the Canadian International Development Agency

Description of Sub-Saharan societies, 2004

• Socio-cultural diversity• Low level of economic development• High level of poverty• High prevalence of HIV/AIDS• Diversity of cultural and linguistic factors• Gender discrimination• Repressive regimes• Civil wars

• Low ICT awareness• Rural and remote areas have the greatest problems

Need of new thinking

• The needs in Sub-Saharan Africa is diverse and complex

• A new model of addressing the digital divide is demanded! The model must be based on:– Recognitions of the uniqueness for the sub-continent

– Complex linguistic problems by cause of it’s varied cultural groups and values

– Many languages without constitution on the Internet

• International aid should be directed more to basic needs rather than narrowing the digital divide

More about peculiarities of the digital divide in sub-Saharan Africa

• Local content issues (lack of local content, need of reengineering to suit local condition)

• Communication and community issues (English contribute to low pace)

• Limited bandwidth with bad quality• Radio as a communication tool (weaknesses) • Financial constrains in education (poor educational environment,

brain drain, inadequate budgets for education) • Paucity of research and scientific capacity• Policy, politics and restrictive factors• HIV/AIDS factor• ICT awareness, literacy and skills needs• Attitude change and skills development • Civil wars, gender issues and prioritisation

Measures necessary for bridging the digital divide in sub-Saharan Africa

• Need of a paradigm shift (communities’ culture must grow in such a way that they are open to accommodate the e-world)

• Borrowing best practices – E-government practices– Parenting support– Home access to computers and Internet

• E-policies and strategies in each country• Pursue the weakest groups • Proactive policies – proceed directly to the information age (pass

the industrial age)• Funding projects in key sectors of economy• Letting the private sector lead initiatives• Fostering innovation and competition • Develop local contempt for all media

Education (bridging d.d.)

• Enhance digital literacy– Public schools– Libraries– Community centres

• Free primary education

• Tertiary education needed• Develop a culture of lifelong learning• Increase awareness and use of ICT on every day basis – to

use and understand the potential of ICT• Invest in centres of ICT• Encouraging research and education• Encourage scientists to get back to the area ‘

Hardware and software (bridging d.d.)

• Touch screens

• Voice translation software

• Open source software tools

• Good starting point:

– Little old equipment

– Implement of the latest low cost technologies and administrative tools

Access (bridging d.d.)

• Community access to ICT through licensed mobile phone companies

• Prevent telecommunication deregulation

• Eliminate e-commerce roadblocks

Digital divides; benefits of bringing the digital divide

• Promote academic excellence

• Get instant links to information, entertainment and communication

• Get jobs that require computer knowledge

• Get information to prevent expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic

• Sustained economic growth

A leapfrog into the information age!?

• As soon as the basic needs for livelihood are satisfied :– Sub-Saharan Africa can be helped leapfrog into the information

age

• The people of Africa need their own models in resolving regional problems due to their diversity (the models should NOT relay on models made for developed countries)

• More research is needed to determine new models of bringing the digital divide

• They must be based on new technologies:– That effectively can be integrated in peoples lives– To alleviate poverty– That consequently stimulate to ICT uptake

Poverty and ICT -Questions

• People face far more critical challenges than the digital divide:– How can people in rural areas possibly accept ICT?– How can ICT provide help with basic needs?

• How could we effectively integration ICT into local communities and institutions for social development (by paying attention to physical, digital, human and social resources)?

• Mutula recommend free market economy. What might the positive – and negative aspects be?

Statistics 2008: Include Sub-Saharan Africa

• http://www.globalis.no/Tema/Teknologi-og-informasjon

• http://www.globalis.no/Statistikk/Datamaskiner#bars

• http://www.globalis.no/Statistikk/Internettbrukere#

• http://www.globalis.no/Statistikk/Telefon-og-mobilforbind#bars

One laptop per child

• http://www.dagbladet.no/magasinet/2008/03/13/529564.html

• http://one.laptop.org/stories

• http://one.laptop.org/about/mission