ICT and Technology in Africa

The world economic forum, published report they named "ICT in Africa: A status report". I quote from the report: "The “digital divide” however, is still at its most extreme in Africa. In absolute terms, networked readiness is still at a very early stage of development compared to other regions of the world. Of the approximately 816 million people in Africa in 2001, it is estimated1 that only:

• one in four have a radio (200 million);
• one in 13 have a television (62 million);
• one in 35 have a mobile telephone (24 million);
• one in 39 have a fixed line (21 million);
• one in 130 have a personal computer (PC) (5.9 million);
• one in 160 use the Internet (5 million);
• one in 400 have pay-television (2 million)."
  

If you compare these figures to the around 800 million people in Africa, it is clear that the use of technology in itself poses a threat for implementation ICT. Looking at all these issues we would need to overcome these structural barriers before effective ICT usage throughout Africa. The challenge does not only lie in overcoming these issues but to do it sustainable.