CAN LEAPFROGGING TO BRIDGE THE DEVELOPMENT GAP BE A REALITY FOR AFRICA?

ISOC-NIGERIA CHAPTER CONFERENCE

Derek Ajesam ASOH*

Jean-Claude TCHOULACK**

Jacques MOUNGANG***

* Department of Electrical Engineering National Polytechnic,

                  University of Yaounde I, Cameroon
E-Mail : adasoh@camnet.cm

• PLAN OF PRESENTATION
  

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES PROBLEMS

3. DEVELOPING UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES

4. RATIONALE FOR LEAPFROGGING

5. BRIDGING THE DEVELOPMENT GAP

6. MANDATORY MEASURES TO BRIDGE THE GAP

7. WHAT WE GET

8. CONCLUSION

                    9. FINAL WORD

1. INTRODUCTION               

1.1 Communication

1.2 Electronics

1.3 Informatics

1.5 Information Techonology

1.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The Internet is a Multi-Facet Phenomenon which embodies in a unique manner, all of the above, resulting in what we have termed the InfoTechnoTronic Revolution

2. SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES PROBLEMS

2.1 Poverty

2.2 Diseases

2.3 Hunger

2.4 Rural Exodus

2.5 Population Explosion

2.6 Education

2.7 Governance

2.8 ???

3 . DEVELOPING UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES

• Why Developing Countries are Underdeveloped?

• Development is an Enterprise/Business

• Capital (Labour, Equipment, Communication)

• Entrepreneur (Know-How)

• LEAPFROGGING…

4. RATIONALE FOR LEAPFROGGING

• Our view: Humanity ALREADY has more than sufficient Know-How to combat, fight and alleviate the problems in Developing Countries.

• Developing Countries DONOT have to re-invent the wheel again.
• Developing Countries HAVE to make use of what is available.

5. RATIONAL FOR LEAPFROGGING

• The Obstacle: How to disseminate the Know-How , and diffuse it from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
• The obstacle is actually a communication and information exchange problem

• The Solution: The Internet and its related Technologies and Services.
  

6. BRIDGING THE GAP

• Delivery and reception of key development services via the traditional means (land, water, air) can be substantially done using the Internet

• The Internet Guarantees better circulation of Knowledge and Information, needed for Development in the widest sense.

• Use of the Internet accelerates Social Economic, Educational & Political Growth.

7. MANDATORY MEASURES FOR LEAPFROGGING

• Education and Training
  * Nation Wide Internet and Computer Literacy Campaigns (ISOC Chapters, NGOs, etc but not the Governments)* Long Term Strategic Educational Planning, and Curriculum Update (Gov’t!)

• Internet Entry Level (DOS Vs WinXX, WinXX Vs Unix, Macintosh, etc everyone!)
• Consumer of, and Producer for the Internet
  * Local Content Development

8. WHAT WE GET

• Reduced Communication Cost
• Telemedicine and Tele-Education
• Increased Business Opportunities
• Improved Quality of Life
• Quick and Accurate Decision Making
• Good Governance
• Virtual Communities and Boundary-less Countries: One Country for Everyone!!!
  

9. CONCLUSION
                     Future Prospects for Africa

• What if Africa Does not take Advance of the InfoTechnoTronic Revolution?

• The Development Gap would be widened to the greatest possible extent

• Life Still Goes on….

• Mass African Exodus and Brain Drain ...

• "Re-colonization?"...

• ???

10. FINAL WORD

• Compared to other Developing Regions, the Gap between Africa and the Developed Regions is Widest.
• This Gap is widening everyday, especially in African countries where nothing is done!

• The Internet, the immediate manifestation of the InfoTechnoTronic Revolution is a unique tool to accelerate & foster development in Africa and bridge the ever-widening Gap.
• Everyone should be educated, and should help educate the others about the Internet.
• Internet Society Chapters like ISOC-Nigeria are Touch Bearers in Public Education.
• Congratulations to ISOC-Nigeria, for its efforts, and the organization of the first ever Internet International Conference in the Sub-Region.
• Together, building and using the Internet, we can solve the problems of Africa in Our Life Time.

  THANK YOU.

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