e-Policy Africa

In the DOT Force Plan of Action endorsed by G8 Leaders at the 2001 Genoa Summit, a commitment was made to establish a Global ePolicy Resource Network (formerly known as the “International eDevelopment Resource Network” – IeDRN), designed to marshal global efforts in support of national e-strategies for development. The Network will establish a focal point for bringing together providers of e-strategy information and expertise for the benefit of individuals, organizations and governments.

The Global ePolicy Resource Network (ePol-NET) will provide policy makers in developing countries with development assistance services and information products and services. Development assistance services will assist individuals and organizations to find, understand and apply the wealth of existing knowledge about ICTs. Information products and services will meet the needs for specialized information and knowledge about e-strategies that are not readily available elsewhere. ePol-NET’s products and services will focus entirely on adding value to what already exists in a manner that is uniquely responsive to specific needs of developing countries for access to world knowledge and experience concerning e-readiness strategies.

Products and services will be offered to any individual or institution requiring:

* access to information about e-strategies;
* support in acquiring knowledge, formulating and implementation e-strategies and policy frameworks.

Speech by Mr. K.Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) during a press conference at the launch of the Global ePolicy Resource network (ePol-Net)

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me first start by saying how happy I am to attend the launch of the Global e-Policy Network (ePol-Net), here in Geneva, after having been part of the launch of the African regional node that is based in ECA.

Canada and ECA have had a long standing partnership in the field of development information as well as in other fields. I am happy to see that 25 years later the two institutions are still working ever closer together in advancing Information Society goals.

For the African continent the advent of ePol-Net is timely. This is because many countries are in the process of formulating, and a few, are finalizing the implementation of their national e-strategies and plans. ECA alone, under the framework of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) has assisted approximately 36 countries to date. Undoubtedly, these countries will require information on e-strategy expertise, guidance and advice through the services of ePol-Net.

We hope that there will be greater synergies and more partners coming to join the ePol-Net initiative for promoting ICT4 development activities in a more concerted way.

Earlier today I chaired a high level panel on regional strategies for promoting the Information Society with Ministers from Finland, Lebanon, Jamaica and Senegal. The issues raised from various regions of the world suggest that we all have similar challenges. I therefore urge ePol-Net to also think of addressing national e-strategies that support regional approaches to the Information Society. Such steps are becoming necessary as more countries begin to harmonize their policies in the sub-regions of Africa, for instance.

Finally,

ECA congratulates the Government of Canada and its partners:

The Governments of Ireland, Italy, France, Japan and the UK for this exemplary effort.

I thank-you.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

1. Competition
2. ICT regulation
3. Institutional
4. Investments
5. Legal
6. Resources mobilisation
7. Telecommunication regulation

HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING

1. Capacity building for ICT specialists
2. Capacity building for ICT use

BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE
(technology transfer -investments)

1. Energy
2. Fixed telephony strategies
3. Investment in telecommunication basic infrastructure
4. Low cost connectivity at remote and rural area
5. Mobil telephony strategies
6. Spectrum Management
7. Telecommunication infrastructure

ICT APPLICATIONS

1. E-Education
2. E-Governance
3. E-Government (facilitating of Government Administration and Services delivery)
4. E-Health
5. E-services (call-centers/e-work/etc..)
6. ICT and Community Radio
7. ICT for disfranchised
8. Information security
9. Local content