Careful planning leads African nations in the proper direction

Update: 5/25/10. Download an export of national ICT plans by nation from the ICT Observatory. XLS

The successful implementation of a national ICT (NICT) plan, also known as national information and communication infrastructure (NICI) plan,  requires a great deal of planning on the part of the government. National ICT plans face an array of challenges including costs, stubborn government leaders, lack of infrastructure (ie. electricity), and a limited number of trained consultants. The initial process of deciding to create a plan, researching the best options for a plan, collaborating with experts and leaders, and approving the plan often takes years in itself. At that time, the country is perhaps in a different social and economic state. Plus, the government may or may not have seen drastic shifts in power. Additionally, if a plan is enacted, it can lose government support, face corruption, or lack adequate funding. For example, an article by Sylvester Ngoma describes the challenges faced in the Congo.

To see the plans of African nations between 1999 and 2006, head over to the NICI Country Pages created by the Economic Commission for Africa. Or, browse the vast amount of information at the ICT Observatory. During this period, most nations either had a plan or were in the early stages of developing an ICT plan. However, years later, many nations still do not have an official government-approved plan. Other countries have seen success, but the status of their NICT plan remains difficult to pinpoint. Below is a list of African nations with relatively current and well-publicized ICT plans. Plans that are known to be current within the past 3 years have the greatest chance at still being effective:

Botswana:

• National: 2007-2016, grow the ICT industry, make Botswana a regional ICT hub, 6-step plan: e-government, education innovation, e-health, legal framework, tech infrastructure
• http://www.ist-africa.org/home/default.asp?page=doc-by-id&docid=2890
• http://ifap-is-observatory.ittk.hu/node/421

Cameroon:

• National: 2006-?, a ten-pronged plan that took a full 6 years to develop and submit to the government
• http://www.uneca.org/AISI/nici/Cameroon/cameroon.htm

Central African Republic:

• National: 2006, long-term (2030
• http://www.observatoiretic.org/documents/show/108

Chad:

• National: 2007, general infrastructure plan
• http://www.uneca.org/AISI/NICI/Chad/Plan%20NICI_Tchad.pdf

Egypt:

• National: 2005-Present, a very elaborate plan focused on infrastructure and governance of ICT networks
• http://www.mcit.gov.eg/ict_sector.aspx

Ghana:

• National: 2005-Present
• http://www.ict.gov.gh/

Kenya:

• Kenya ICT Board
• Kenya ICT Action Network
• http://www.ict.go.ke/
• http://www.kictanet.or.ke/

Liberia:

• Draft policy, 2007-2008.
• http://allafrica.com/stories/200809290985.html

Malawi:

• National: 2009 (final draft)
• http://www.malawi.gov.mw/ict_policy.pdf

Mauritius

• National: 2007-2011, goal is to make the ICT sector a main pillar of the economy
• http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/telcomit/?content_id=bdcf551cf8b86110VgnVCM1000000a04a8c0RCRD

Morocco:

• National: 2006
• http://www.apebi.org.ma/apebi_eng.php?id_article=536&id_rubrique=37

Rwanda:

• National: 2001-2002-2020, four 5-year National Information and Communications Infrastructure Plans, currently in phase two: improve economic environment to grow towards an information- and knowledge-based society and economy
• http://www.rita.gov.rw/laws/nici_plans.html

Seychelles:

• National: 2007
• http://www.ict.gov.sc/resources/policy.pdf

South Africa:

• Various ministries, plans, and initiatives have existed/still exist
• A 2015 ICT Vision is in place
• http://www.ist-africa.org/home/default.asp?page=doc-by-id&docid=3576

Swaziland:

• National: 2008 (draft)
• http://www.gov.sz/home.asp?pid=4322

Tunisia:

• A 10-year plan was established in 2005
• The aim is to create an information society
• http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN-OTHER/UNPAN020179.pdf

Uganda:

• National draft, 2008.
• http://www.observatoiretic.org/documents/show/356

Zimbabwe:

• National: 2010-2014 (waiting for approval), plan would promote research and development of ICT, infrastructure, education, cyber security
• http://www.africa-investor.com/article.asp?id=6439