US-based Development Gateway Foundation (DGF) representatives, as well as representatives from the Centre for International Geographical Information Systems (CGIS), have returned from Burundi where they assessed the country`s ICT needs for the establishment of a country gateway.
This is according to Francis Dogo, senior director at DGF, who explains that country gateways are locally-owned social enterprises, which provide Web portals and related Web hosting services for local business, community and government needs, which are funded by the DGF.
"It is a perfect way to encourage 'local` Internet developments, as well as increase government transparency and community awareness," says Dogo, who adds that a country gateway is a platform where people can meet, converse and collaborate.
Dogo says Burundi is coming out of a 13-year civil war, which has left the country technologically bankrupt, inhibiting growth. "Burundi is in urgent need of ICT development if it is going to accommodate a country gateway," he says.
Dogo notes there is strong political support in the country to build a better ICT infrastructure. He says the DGF and CGIS met with the minister of education and culture; the minister of transport, post and telecommunications; the minister of planning, development and reconstruction; the CEOs of Onatel and Telecel; and Burundi`s major telecom operators and universities, to discuss the future of Burundi`s ICT development.
Philbert Nsengimana, African DGF coordinator, believes ICT development in Burundi could benefit from Rwanda`s example in developing its ICT sector, which is becoming one of the best in the region.
"Rwanda has developed one of the most vibrant country gateways on the continent and has experienced similar political upheaval," says Nsengimana.
The gateway is a global initiative and Africa already has operational country gateways in Kenya, Benin, Mali, Mauritania, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Cape Verde, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Mauritius.
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