African Information Society Initiative (AISI) - Africa

Activities include the development of national ICT policy plans and strategies (i.e. national information and communication infrastructure - NICI Plans: click here for NICI web page.) in African countries. As part of this process ECA has held and plans future sub-regional and national convenings, studies and projects on themes that include: democratising access to the information society, connectivity, content development, and sector applications. In addition, there have been capacity building workshops and seminars for various African stakeholders including diplomats, media practitioners, and women entrepreneurs.

Technology, Economic Development.

By the year 2010, the AISI is intended to realise a sustainable information society in Africa where:

Information and decision support systems are used to support decision making in all the major sectors of the economy in line with each country's national development priorities. Every man and woman, school child, village, government office and business can access information and knowledge resources through computers and telecommunications; Access is available to international, regional and national "information highways", providing "off-ramps" in the villages and in the information area catering specifically to grass-roots society; A vibrant business sector that can forge the build up of the information society; African information resources are available which reflect the needs of stakeholders; Information and knowledge are disseminated and used by business, the public at large and disenfranchised groups such as women and the poor, in particular, to make rational choices in the economy (free markets) and for all groups to exercise democratic and humanrights (freedom of speech and freedom of cultural and religious expression).