First mile, first inch

Abstract

Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) remains one of the biggest challenges to Africa in leapfrogging the development chasm. The African digital divide can be in part attributed to a restrictive regulatory policy that entrenches the monopolistic power base of the local Telco. Innovation is a key driver for change and what is needed is a mindset that empowers communities at the local level to embrace technology and create community owned networks enabling and supporting local economic development. The regulatory environment should support innovation and provide for a “bottom up” approach to community owned networks. The aim of this paper is to give an interim report on a study of a multi-disciplinary series of projects in Sub-Saharan Africa exploring the technological and social consequences of innovative low-cost telecommunications.