Connecting Sub-Saharan Africa A World Bank Group Strategy for Information and Communication Technology Sector Development

by Guislain, Pierre; Ampah, Mavis A.; Besancon, Laurent; Niang, Cecile; Serot, Alexandre

• ISBN13: 9780821361504
• ISBN10: 0821361503
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-06
• Publisher: World Bank Publications
• More Book Details

Summary

'Connecting Sub-Saharan Africa' outlines a strategy for information and communication technologies (ICT) development in Sub-Saharan Africa that will further the reform agenda to facilitate deployment of ICT infrastructure, and encourage the development community to support African governments in this regard.The strategy builds on the earlier reform agenda in the sector by leveraging the achievements to date of Sub-Saharan African countries to advance the essential goal of increasing the continent's connectivity. It provides strategies for developing and enhancing the capacity of Africa's ICT institutions-including regulators, ministries, and regional bodies-to lead the development of an interconnected region and implement sustainable regional strategies for integration and knowledge sharing. Of particular concern is the ability to bring rural areas into the national, regional, and global economies, thus creating new opportunities for the world's poorest citizens.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Acronyms and Abbreviations	ix
Executive Summary	xi
Introducing the World Bank Group ICT Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa	1	(4)
The Benefits of Telecommunications Sector Reform	5	(4)
Reform Increases Access to Voices Services	5	(1)
Reform Expands Internet Access	6	(1)
Reform Reduces the Cost of Doing Business	7	(2)
Pushing Forward the Core Reform Agenda	9	(8)
Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks	11	(1)
Supporting Telecommunications Ministries	12	(1)
Promoting Competition through Pragmatic Liberalization	13	(1)
A Pragmatic Approach Needed to Privatize Incumbents	14	(2)
Reforming the Postal Sector	16	(1)
Addressing Market Failures	17	(6)
Building National Backbones and Supporting Broadband Access	18	(1)
Designing Rural Access Strategies	19	(2)
Supporting Countries in Their Post-Conflict Activities	21	(2)
Promoting Applications on ICT for Development	23	(6)
Facilitating E-Commerce	24	(1)
Supporting E-Government Applications	25	(1)
Fostering Civil Society Applications	26	(3)
Accelerating Regional Integration and Connectivity	29	(6)
Promoting Regional Harmonization	30	(1)
Increasing Regional Connectivity	31	(1)
Developing Regional Fiber Optic Cable Projects	31	(2)
Supporting Roaming Initiatives	33	(1)
Building a Network of National Exchange Points	34	(1)
Conclusions	35