Will digital technology help Africa meet its MILLENIUM

DEVELOPMENT GOAL targets?

Studying the MDGs Technology’s role in the

development process

THE DEVELOPMENT GAP

Information & communications technology (ICT) is a key driver of globalisation

Along with other factors and forces, such as multi-governmental organisations and TNCs, ICT helps build connectivity between places

Optimists see a strong link between the availability of ICT and economic and social development

Optimists believe ICT can help bridge the development gap

THE MDG TARGETS

AFRICA’S PROGRESS

Progress towards MDG targets has been uneven

Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa remains at 50% (the same as in 1981)

Many urban Africans live in very poor conditions, such as those seen in the Kibera slum (Nairobi, Kenya)

TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT

Digital technology can help deliver economic and social development

One Laptop per Child project has brought ICT to poor schools

Over 40% of Africans have a mobile phone. This is helping businesses to grow and also helps farmers get better deals

Innovation – such as pedal-powered recharging – is bringing real changes

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS (1)

Mobile phone ownership has grown rapidly on a global scale

Since 2004, mobile ownership in African countries has tripled

This is an example of a leapfrogging technology (landlines have never been introduced to some regions where mobile use in now widespread)

FIBRE OPTIC CABLE

Until recently, East Africa lacked broadband

Now, a new 10,625-mile undersea cable has been laid by Seacom

The new fibre optic cable links South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda with London, Marseille and Mumbai

Kenya’s vision for the future

Kenya’s government has a new plan

It’s called the Malili project

The blueprint shows a 5,000-acre African technopolis

But will it ever become a reality?

THE GLOBAL DIGITAL DIVIDE

Photograph and image credits: KIKUYUMOJA, MUSICFIEND, WHITE AFRICAN (all available under Flickr or Wiki creative commons license)