As a response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the information age, ECA launched the African Information Society Initiative (AISI). The basic objective of AISI is to set out a framework by which Africa could bridge the ICTs gap created between itself and the developed world and facilitate its entry into the information age. Recognizing the linkage between connectivity and national development, ECA in collaboration with partners initiated the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policy and plan development process that aims at advising member States on the need to formulate and implement national information and communication strategies. Since the launch of AISI, ECA mounted various advisory services to member States that have not yet defined their national strategies and to those intending to implement sectoral ICT programs and projects in health, education, electronic commerce, etc.

ECA has been assisting member States in their endeavours to initiate, formulate and implement national e-strategies to achieve development goals. The success is evident in that the number of countries with ICT policies increased from 13 in 2000 to 35 in 2007.