Title: 7 (or more) questions to ask before adding ICTs
Author: Linda Raftree
Source: lindaraftree.wordpress.com
Date (published): 12/02/2010
Date (accessed): 12/02/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
When looking at integrating ICTs (Information and Communication Technology) into existing programs, or making an initiative go further or work better with ICTs, there is a lot to figure out before you even get started….

Over the past few months, I’ve been supporting the development of a mobile data gathering/ crowd sourcing and mapping workshop for youth in Benin. The training is part of a broader initiative to reduce violence against children. We’ve decided to use Frontline SMS and Ushahidi as tools in the project because we think (and want to test whether) mobile data collection/ crowd sourcing incidents of violence will allow for a better understanding of what is happening in this area. We also think that geo-visualizing reports of violence against children may have an impact on decision makers and might allow them to better plan prevention and treatment programs and services.

At first I was most worried about whether we could get the technology itself set up and working, but as I started digging in, it was immediately apparent that the technology was the last thing to worry about.

Title: Broadband brings new hope to Africa’s poor, elderly - ITU
Author:Michael Ouma
Source: The East African
Publisher: BDAfrica
Date (published): 08/02/2010
Date (accessed): 08/02/2010
Type of information: article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Effective delivery of essential services in Africa lies with the deployment of broadband networks, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency for information and communication technology.

During the recently concluded African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, the agency appealed to African countries to focus on broadband networks as the transformational technology that will aid in the efficient use of energy, management of healthcare in poor, ageing and isolated population as well as the delivery of the best education to future generations.

ITU secretary general Hamadoun Toure said broadband is the most powerful tool to drive global social and economic development as well as accelerate the realisation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

He, however, noted that the cost of broadband must be made affordable and accessible in order to benefit Africa.

via http://twitter.com/e_agriculture

Title: Bridging the digital divide through open access
Author: Joseph Juma Musakali
Source: SciDev.Net
Date (published): 06/01/2010
Date (accessed): 27/01/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Kenyan researcher Joseph Juma Musakali asks what African research institutes can do to exploit the open access movement...The open access movement removes barriers to academic literature and offers opportunities to participate in the wider research and teaching community, ensuring that Africa does not end up on the wrong side of the 'digital divide'.
African higher education institutions can make use of open access in several ways — but they must also address the vital, underpinning role of information and communications technology (ICT).

Title: African Virtual University Launches Ten-Country Distance Learning Facility
Source: eLearning Africa
Publisher: ICWE GmbH, Berlin
Date (published): 21/12/2009
Date (accessed): 21/01/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Ten more African universities are now connected to the largest network of Open Distance and eLearning institutions on the Continent – the African Virtual University. With the launch phase of the ten-country distance learning facility, which started in October 2009 and will last until early 2010, Africa’s most innovative virtual platform for higher education will provide thousands of African students with access to quality education and research.

Title: Bringing e-Books to Africa and the Middle East. Infrastructure, economics and censorship are major issues
Author: James Turner
Source: O'Reilly Radar
Publisher: O'Reilly
Date (published): 19/01/2010
Date (accessed): 20/01/2010
Type of information: blog post and voice interview
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML and voice files)
Abstract:
In the United States, Western Europe and Asia, e-Books are becoming a major player, especially now that e-Readers like the Kindle and Nook are available. But people living in the Arabic-speaking world or Africa haven't been invited to the dance. Two of the keynote speakers at the upcoming Tools of Change conference are working to improve access to e-Books in these areas: Arthur Attwell in South Africa and Ramy Habeeb in Egypt. We talked to each of them about how e-Books are important in their area of the world, and the challenges that they are facing.

via http://twitter.com/jafurtado

Title: Technology to heal a nation
Author: Daniel Howden
Source: independent.co.uk
Publisher: The Independent
Date (published): 01/01/2010
Date (accessed): 03/01/2010
Type of information: article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Rural African lives are being transformed by clinics with computers and scanners.
(via http://twitter.com/phat_controller )

Title: A Model for Sustainable ICT Incubators in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author: Innovative Partners Inc.
Pages: 112 pp.
Publisher: Information for Development Program (infoDev) and the World Bank Group
Date (published): May 2009
Date (accessed): 03/01/2010
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
While technology incubators in the US and other developed countries have an implied mission of moving companies through a program, graduating them and sending them out into the community as part of a larger economic strategy, the absence of support infrastructure in the Sub-Saharan countries in question (excepting South Africa) is less well developed and there may be less incentive to graduate to another facility. In addition, the access to services which may be found in the local neighborhood in developed country incubators may be completely unattainable in Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, there is the ever-present question of access to capital which, while available in the developed world is often simply non-existent outside of it.

To explore this area further, infoDev commissioned a study, with support from IFC, that had two primary aims:

1. Draw lessons from sustainable ICT business incubators to develop a model that could be implemented at scale in developing countries, particularly in the Africa region; and
2. Propose an investment framework for evaluating prospective and existing ICT business incubators, as well as innovative mechanisms for addressing the financing needs of the incubated SMEs.
The report produced from the study includes:

The findings from the study are provided in the report and include the following:

1. Results from detailed case studies of sustainable ICT business incubators in Chile, Colombia, Armenia, Jordan, and South Africa;
2. A good practice ICT incubator model based on the lessons drawn from these case studies, including how this model could be adapted and implemented in the Africa region;
3. Recommendations on how to evaluate a business incubator as a potential investment opportunity; and
4. Recommendations on how to leverage business incubators to address early-stage financing needs of SMEs

Title: SMS Project Fights Malaria In Africa
Author: Mitch Wagner
Source: Information Week
Publisher: United Business Media LLC
Date (published): 15/12/2009
Date (accessed): 21/12/2009
Type of information: article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
IBM interns are teaming up with Novartis and Vodafone to use text messaging and the Web to fight malaria in Africa.

The three companies, along with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, are piloting a project called SMS for Life to use text messaging and Web sites built with Lotus Live collaboration tools to track and manage supplies of anti-malarial drugs, IBM said.

Title: Networking Telecentres in Africa
Author: Meddie Mayanja
Source: Telecentre Magazine
Publisher: Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (Noida, India), telecentre.org
Date (published): June 2009
Date (accessed): 21/12/2009
Type of information: article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
This article presents highlights of the genesis of telecentre networking in Africa, the key players, activities, and challenges they face. It is based on the author's long-term engagement with networking issues and telecentre.org's contribution in building the telecentre community since 2005.

Title: SMS Uprising: Mobile Phone Activism in Africa
Editor: Sokari Ekine
ISBN: 978-1-906387-35-8 (print)
ISBN: 978-1-906387-36-5 (pdf)
Publisher: Fahamu Books and Pambazuka Press
Date (published): January 2010
Date (accessed): 11/12/2009
Type of information: book
Language: English
On-line access: yes (only table of contents and ordering information)
Abstract:
SMS Uprising provides a unique insight into how activists and social change advocates are addressing Africa's many challenges from within, and how they are using mobile telephone technologies to facilitate these changes.

This collection of essays by those engaged in using mobile phone technologies for social change provides an analysis of the socio-economic, political and media contexts faced by activists in Africa today. The essays address a broad range of issues including inequalities in access to technology based on gender, rural and urban usage, as well as offering practical examples of how activists are using mobile technology to organise and document their experiences. They provide an overview of the lessons learned in making effective use of mobile phone technologies without any of the romanticism so often associated with the use of new technologies for social change. The examples are shared in a way that makes them easy to replicate – 'Try this idea in your campaign.' The intention is that the experiences described within the book will lead to greater reflection about the real potential and limitations of mobile technologies.

Edited by Nigerian activist Sokari Ekine, who runs the prize-winning blog Black Looks, the book brings together some of the best known and experienced developers and users of mobile phone technologies in Africa, including Juliana Rotich from Ushahidi in Kenya, Ken Banks of Kiwanja.net, and Berna Ngolobe of WOUGNET in Uganda.

Contents:
Introduction ix
Sokari Ekine
Part I: The context
1 Economics and power within the African telecommunications industry 2
Nathan Eagle
2 Mobile activism in Africa: future trends and software developments 17
Christian Kreutz
3 Social mobile: empowering the many or the few? 32
Ken Banks
4 Mobiles in-a-box: developing a toolkit with grassroots human rights advocates 40
Tanya Notley and Becky Faith

Part II: Mobile democracy: SMS case studies
5 Fahamu: using cell phones in an activist campaign 56
Redante Asuncion-Reed
6 The UmNyango project: using SMS for political participation in rural KwaZulu Natal 71
Anil Naidoo
7 Kubatana in Zimbabwe: mobile phones for advocacy 86
Amanda Atwood
8 Women in Uganda: mobile activism for networking and advocacy 105
Berna Ngolobe
9 Mobile telephony: closing the gap 116
Christiana Charles-Iyoha
10 Digitally networked technology in Kenya's 2007–08 post-election crisis 124
Joshua Goldstein and Juliana Rotich
11 Using mobile phones for monitoring human rights violations in the DRC 138
Bukeni Waruzi