Title: ICT for Development in Francophone Africa
Author: Lova Rakotomalala
Source: Global Voices Online
Date (published): 25/04/2010
Date (accessed): 26/04/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Although there is undoubtedly a strong push to grow information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives for development in francophone Africa, the region is still somewhat lagging behind their English-speaking neighbors. The recognition of this lag is discussed by many Francophone bloggers and aggregated at the Franco Techno Gap blog.

The cause of the lag is unclear but a few reasons are often proposed: 1) broadband internet was made available by governments of English speaking nations such as (South Africa, Mauritius, Egypt) first (fr). Consequently, cost of internet access is on average higher as further explained on l'atelier des medias (RFI) (fr). 2) Related to the previous reason: “English speaking countries seem to be doing better than the French speaking countries” as Miquel points out 3) The English language is still the default language globally when one discusses ICT.

In this post, current grass roots development projects in francophone Africa with an important ICT component will be discussed in further details...

Title: ICTs for agricultural livelihoods: Impact and lessons learned from IICD supported activities
Publisher: International Institute for Communication and Development
Date (published): 05/11/2009 (republication, orginally published in 2006, republished in 2007)
Date (accessed): 17/11/2009
Type of information: report
Language: English, Spanish, French
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
This book by IICD highlights the lessons learned and achievements of the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) and its partners in using ICT4D to support agricultural livelihoods.

Agriculture is an important economic sector, since it provides income and food for a large segment of the population in developing countries. Intensification of production and increased market orientation are the main processes that can contribute to the future viability of the sector and create income for the people that depend on it.

The projects described in this booklet were carried out by IICD and its partners over a six-year period and provide examples of the many ways in which ICTs contribute to poverty alleviation in the agriculture sector.

By sharing our experiences in this booklet, IICD hopes to contribute to a better understanding of the opportunities of employing ICTs and their contribution to reaching the Millennium Development Goals in the agricultural sector.