CfP: Development of ICT in Africa

A Communications & Strategies Dossier is to be published 2nd quarter 2012 on the theme “Development of ICT in Africa”. It will be edited by Laurent Gille, Anders Henten, Robin Mansell & Didier Pouillot.

The editors write:

ICTs can be seen as systemic tools for economic and social development. This has been acknowledged for decades in Africa – first with respect to telecommunications and later with respect to information and communication technologies (ICT) generally. Lately, much emphasis has been given to the many different social applications of ICT such as e-learning, e-health, e-governance, etc.

For many years nothing much happened concerning telecommunications and ICT development in Africa. However, over the last decade mobile communication has developed rapidly in Africa providing the basis for voice communication and, increasingly, for a growing variety of data communications services.

This call for papers seeks contributions on experiences regarding the development of telecommunications and especially mobile communications, the adoption and use of ICTs, and the policies and regulations framing these developments. Which policies and regulations have had positive effects on the development, adoption and use of ICTs and what are the less positive experiences?

We also welcome contributions on the applications of ICT in various public social contexts (health, learning, etc.), in smaller and larger business environments and for private residential purposes. What are the experiences so far regarding ICTs supporting public services and how has the use of mobile communications influenced the strategies and performance of micro, small, and large businesses?

In the selection of papers for this dossier consideration will be given to papers that highlight areas where technology solutions and applications have developed earlier or faster than in other countries or regions of the world. The take-up of technology in African countries frequently is seen as following more economically developed countries. However, in some areas, for instance, e-money, African countries are among the leaders. Papers analyzing other similar developments will be welcome.

Potential Topics:

• Benchmarking telecom market status in Africa: priorities (fixed vs mobile coverage), pricing, regulation and competition policies …;
• Opportunities and barriers to the development of innovative services and usage (m-payment, e-health, e-learning, e-governance …);
• Roles of intermediaries (social movement organizations, industry sector organizations, etc.) in encouraging demand for ICT applications;
• Industrial organization: strategy of western telcos in Africa, new emerging African groups;
• Impact of telecom network deployments on Internet and media developments in Africa.

Please send proposals (full papers) until 29 February 2012 to: s.nigon@idate.org

Previous C&S Dossiers can be seen here – well, not really seen as only abstracts are free. Full view of dossiers is available at exorbintant fees, like 150 euros excl. VAT (240 € on paper).