Source: StarAfrica http://bit.ly/bgtdLp
Sylvain Béletre from research and consulting house Balancing Act (balancingact-africa.com), specializing in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Africa, looks at the recent success of technology to serve human development in Africa.
"If we look at the needs of Africans, it is in rural areas, where most Africans live, particularly in agriculture and fishing areas that technology can best support the economy and above all, save lives. In cities, it is relatively easy to get help, information and share knowledge. In remote villages, and according to several studies we have performed on the field, telecoms allow breaking isolation and gathering critical information or vital assistance...
"e-Agriculture" has been developed in Africa through systems like Esoko (BusyLab from entrepreneur Mark Davis, established in Accra, Ghana), Manobi (Senegal), which allow farmers to find market data via SMS without spending a fortune and without having to travel long distances to fetch the info. In Kenya, Sokini SMS provides information on agricultural products for a minimal fee. Also in Kenya, the Institute "VACID Africa" assists farmers to improve their productivity.Technology use is widely promoted, and "we are putting in place a shared data centre for African farmers," confirms Kiringai Kamau in charge of the institute.
Uganda Women's Network of Uganda (Women of Uganda Network - Wougnet) started by sending SMS market prices to 400 operators since 2005. After two years’ research, Xam Marsé ("Know your market" in Wolof) was launched in Senegal by the Manobi Foundation for Development. Since 2002, it has provided farmers with information on commodity prices. The success of the Millennium Villages project - an initiative launched by Ericsson, MTN, Zain (now Airtel) and Sony Ericsson - which includes several villages in many African countries, is also a sign that ICT can advance human development on the whole continent. Best practices from the project will help to benefit the majority of the population.
Eventually, electronic traceability of agricultural products also offers great opportunities in Africa. Mobile technology is also able to meet basic needs. Solutions tailored to local demand, online services such as remote banking, microcredit or weather forecasts have begin to blossom throughout the continent. Financial transactions via mobile are also one of the greatest achievements of ICT at the service of Africans..."
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