Improving internet connectivity for rural communities in Commonwealth Africa

Promoting faster telephone and internet connectivity for rural communities in the 18 Commonwealth African countries – that is the aim of a Commonwealth Connects project known as the Commonwealth African Rural Connectivity Initiative (COMARCI).

The £1.2 million project was launched in Kampala, Uganda, on 22 November 2007 on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with a £50,000 seed funding from the Government of Malta through the Commonwealth Connects programme. It involves collaboration with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the International Telecommunication Union.

The chief executive officer of the CTO, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, said: “There is no longer debate about the role information and communication technology (ICT) plays in the development process, and especially how mobile phones and the internet are helping to transform Africa’s economies. However, if Africa is to achieve the majority of its Millennium Development Goals, it must address quickly and creatively the special challenges posed by poor, illiterate, marginalised, disadvantaged rural populations.

“This COMARCI project will eliminate the digital marginalisation of rural societies. It will enhance education, employment and empowerment in Commonwealth Africa. It will enable the people in Africa to become stronger participants in development by providing access to improved literacy, innovation, entrepreneurship and e-commerce, as well as e-governance.”

COMARCI will involve research, consultations and workshops to mobilise investment, funding and technology partnerships to assemble a body of knowledge to develop a connectivity roadmap for Commonwealth Africa which would benefit the ICT sector, the business community and citizens.

Uganda’s ICT Minister, Dr Ham-Mukasa Mulira, underscored the importance of ICT in national development and global integration, saying: “In the information age, the true wealth of nations lies in the people’s ability to create, to communicate and to innovate. As such, ICTs have been key enablers of globalisation, facilitating worldwide flows of information, capital, ideas, people and products. It is sad to note that about one-half of the world’s population have not realised the benefits enabled by ICTs.

“We each have a role to play in order to transform this digital divide into digital opportunity for national development and enhancement of regional and international integration such as the Commonwealth family.”

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Uganda