International Telecommunications Union - ITU secretary general Hamadoun Toure said limited development in infrastructure especially energy development and distribution on the African continent is hindering the fast growth in the telecommunications sector.
Speaking at the opening of the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Toure said the continent's leaders should work towards ensuring that they achieve ICT connectivity in their respective countries before 2015 when the Millennium Development Goals - MDGs are expected to be achieved.
Toure noted that the continent has enormous resources but which are going to waste due to lack of planning and under-utilization.
He said the ICT sector is currently contributing over 33 per cent of employment opportunities yet issues of inaccessibility to electricity still stand in the way of growth.
Toure said tenet number eight of the MDGs which is to develop a global partnership for development, requires that countries cooperate with the private sector in making available the benefits of new technologies to a majority of the people on the continent.
Rwandan Minister for Energy and Communication Albert Butare told a media briefing that it was imperative that African countries use the energy sources available to them in ensuring connectivity of ICT to rural communities.
He said use of solar energy could help make internet available hence reduce the current digital divide. Butare said broadband connectivity through development of infrastructure like, fibre optic cable could cut the high cost of communication in Africa.
He said Rwanda was already in the forefront of ensuring connectivity to a majority of her people including putting in place the required infrastructure for the development of e-commerce, e-government, e-learning and tele-health.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Judith Akolo
Quelle/Source: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, 29.10.2007
