“From technologists to business developers” - the evolution of ICT4Dev practitioners in South(ern) Africa

Abstract

In the light of multiple (documented) failures of ICT4Dev implementations in the developing world and especially in the light of the failure of ICT adoption, ownership and application in the South Africa MPCC initiative, the writers argue for a “commercial /business development” approach to ICT4Dev initiatives. Finding the (service delivery) channel; ensuring ownership and support in the channel; deploying ICT in “production” mode to render saleable products and services into the channel and establishing new ICT intensive service enterprises within this channel becomes the suggested paradigm for future ICT4Dev practitioners. The paper therefore endeavours to provide a framework for sustainable community level eBusiness incarnations of ICT4Dev endeavours: Infopreneurs™ as “social entrepreneurs” in developing communities.