The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), in conjunction with the Nigerian Ministry of Communication, is hosting a conference focused on connecting rural communities. The conference will be held from 10 to 12 October, in Nigeria.
It is the second conference in a four-event series, which hopes to bring sustainable ICT development to rural communities in Africa, says Matthew Dawes, senior conference producer for CTO.
Dawes says with the rapid growth of rural development in terms of communication, it is a good time for ICT developers to become more involved. It is an evolving market and has huge growth potential.
"Africa`s rural areas have experienced so much rural ICT development over the past year and it is picking up momentum," says Dawes.
He refers to the Nigerian "Computers for all Nigerians" project, which, he says, has taken off in the last few months. The project has been backed by the Nigerian government in a bid to make computers more affordable for all Nigerians, he adds.
Botswana has also begun the "Rural Strategy Telecommunications Project", backed by the Botswana Department of Communication and the Department of Science and Technology, to create sustainable rural technology by 2008, says Dawes.
The "Ugandan Communications Commission Universal Fund", which is aimed at providing ICT in rural communities, as well as extending financial aid towards ICT initiatives in less developed regions, has helped create rural ICT developments in Uganda, he says.
ICT sustainability
Dawes emphasises the need for constructive dialogue to create sustainable ICT development and growth in rural areas. He says about 100 stakeholders will attend the conference which will be a good opportunity for delegates to transfer and share their knowledge concerning rural ICT development.
Through CTO sector membership, companies can formally transfer knowledge between one another, as well as with rural communities, he adds. Membership is open to governments, regulators, private and civil society involved in ICT development, he adds.
Dawes notes there will be debate around best practices to reach rural communities: "We will be focusing on whether increasing competition between telecommunication operators will ultimately build ICT in rural communities, or whether regulators forcing rural development through universal service funds and taxes is the better method."
He believes it is a combination of both, as well as attractive rural licences.
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