scholarly journals Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education in sub-Saharan Africa: A comparative analysis of basic e-readiness in schools. Information Paper No. 25

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ict In Education ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

Uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Agriculture and Rural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing M. Maumbe ◽  
Julius Okello
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

This paper presents a framework of the evolution of information and communication technology (ICT) applications in agriculture and rural development based on comparative experiences of South Africa and Kenya. The framework posits that full deployment of ICT in agriculture and rural development will be a culmination of several phases of changes that starts with e-government policy design, development and implementation. The paper argues that ICT use in agriculture and rural development is a powerful instrument for improving agricultural and rural development and standards of living throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. However, success in greater application of ICT in agriculture will require addressing impediments to adoption and diffusion. Such impediments include the lack of awareness, low literacy, infrastructure deficiencies (e.g. lack of electricity to charge electronic gadgets), language and cultural barriers in ICT usage, the low e-inclusivity and the need to cater for the special needs of some users. The paper reviews successful applications of ICT in agriculture and urges greater use of ICT-based interventions in agriculture as a vehicle for spurring rural development in Africa.

Information and Communication Technology and Good Governance in Africa

2011 ◽  
pp. 1026-1034
Author(s):  
G. Onu
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
The World ◽  
Governance Process ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed major paradigm shifts in the conceptualization of development and governance. These phenomena are aided and propelled by a new “network intelligence” consummated in the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT). The world has also witnessed a reinvention of the whole process of governance that has impacted society in various ways. Through the Internet and digital connectivity, today’s world has come to be closer than ever before. Efficiency and processes of governance have been improved through faster information flow in the governance chain. Bottlenecks and cost of labor have been reduced across the world. Furthermore, ICT has opened new possibilities, improved transparency and access to information as well as partnership and collaboration, leading to improved relationships between the citizen and state. While Europe and North America, as well as some countries of Asia and the pacific, have taken advantage of this development to improve their economies and governance process, Ningo (1999) observes that sub-Saharan Africa has remained either passive or in the periphery, often reduced to a consumer for reasons related to its history or its system of governance—or lack of one. This has led to a yawning digital divide (especially between Africa and developed states of the world. What led to this divide and how can Africa, then, benefit from this revolution? What are the obstacles?

Digitize or Perish

2014 ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Asunka
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Digital Formats

In today’s knowledge and technology driven society, most scholarly information is increasingly being produced and distributed in digital formats. Yet, in Sub-Saharan Africa, academic libraries have been very slow at joining this digital movement, and hence stand the risk of losing their relevance, particularly with regard to locally generated intellectual material. To better serve the knowledge and information seeking needs of their patrons, librarians need to reinvent services. The challenges are discussed as well as prescriptions of workable strategies that librarians, information scientists, and other stakeholders can adopt to overcome these barriers. Such strategies mostly involve appropriately leveraging the existing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and resources to make library resources more accessible. Consequently, digitizing indigenous intellectual resources may keep libraries from perishing and respond to user needs and information seeking habits in Sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals A comparative analysis of policies, strategies and programmes for information and communication technology integration in education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the republic of Ireland

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 4721-4745
Author(s):  
Jawaher Alghamdi ◽  
Charlotte Holland
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Ict In Education ◽  
Ict Integration ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Republic

Abstract This paper provides a comparative analysis of policies, strategies and programmes for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in primary and post-primary education, that were active in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and in the Republic of Ireland in 2016. The analysis showed that while KSA was a relative newcomer to the integration of ICT in education, it was responsive in seeking to enhance the quality of education and support transitions to the knowledge economy through a range of initiatives, including: reform of the curriculum, provision of teacher professional development in ICT integration, and supply of computer technologies and infrastructure. However, as in the Irish context, the framing of the ICT in education’ policies, strategies and programmes needed to be strengthened through participatory partnerships with key stakeholders that endured throughout the life-cycle of ICT policy implementation in primary and post-primary settings. Furthermore, the review showed a need for governments in both jurisdictions to make better provision for financial and human resourcing to fully operationalize the teacher training and supports necessary for effective integration by teachers of ICT in primary and post-primary settings. Finally, the evaluation protocols within ICT in education’ policies, strategies and programmes in both countries needed to be re-casted to make evidence of their enactment publicly available in a timely manner. Moreover, the resultant evaluation reports further needed to be detailed at a level that made visible the national progress on ICT integration in schools, and the corresponding impact on learners’ ICT skills and broader competencies.

Is ICT the panacea to sub-Saharan Africa’s development problems? Rethinking Africa’s contentious engagement with the global information society

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Kwaku Kyem
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
Global Information Society ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Ssa Countries

The explosion in mobile phone subscription notwithstanding, benefits from ICT deployment are far from being realized in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A clash between the rationality for development and local systems of reasoning, and the failure to cultivate behaviours that support technological innovation provide little hope for sustained information and communication technology (ICT) adoption in the region. The article discusses failures in technological innovation and then explores ways that SSA countries can manage ICT deployment to stimulate sustained adoption.

Digitize or Perish

2015 ◽  
pp. 933-947
Author(s):  
Stephen Asunka
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Digital Formats

In today's knowledge and technology driven society, most scholarly information is increasingly being produced and distributed in digital formats. Yet, in Sub-Saharan Africa, academic libraries have been very slow at joining this digital movement, and hence stand the risk of losing their relevance, particularly with regard to locally generated intellectual material. To better serve the knowledge and information seeking needs of their patrons, librarians need to reinvent services. The challenges are discussed as well as prescriptions of workable strategies that librarians, information scientists, and other stakeholders can adopt to overcome these barriers. Such strategies mostly involve appropriately leveraging the existing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and resources to make library resources more accessible. Consequently, digitizing indigenous intellectual resources may keep libraries from perishing and respond to user needs and information seeking habits in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Information and Communication Technology and Good Governance in Africa

2008 ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Godwin Onu
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
The World ◽  
Governance Process ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan

The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed major paradigm shifts in the conceptualization of development and governance. These phenomena are aided and propelled by a new “network intelligence” consummated in the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT). The world has also witnessed a reinvention of the whole process of governance that has impacted society in various ways. Through the Internet and digital connectivity, today’s world has come to be closer than ever before. Efficiency and processes of governance have been improved through faster information flow in the governance chain. Bottlenecks and cost of labor have been reduced across the world. Furthermore, ICT has opened new possibilities, improved transparency and access to information as well as partnership and collaboration, leading to improved relationships between the citizen and state. While Europe and North America, as well as some countries of Asia and the pacific, have taken advantage of this development to improve their economies and governance process, Ningo (1999) observes that sub-Saharan Africa has remained either passive or in the periphery, often reduced to a consumer for reasons related to its history or its system of governance—or lack of one. This has led to a yawning digital divide (especially between Africa and developed states of the world. What led to this divide and how can Africa, then, benefit from this revolution? What are the obstacles?

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