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27 March 2008

As players in the ICT industry,we are to provide impetus and help to monitor the implementation mechanism that will harness the translation of the Policy into tangible results on the ground. Our contribution towards this process must ensure policy implementation strategies speeds up at all levels.

Information technologies have become a potent force in transforming social, economic and political life globally. If access to and use of information technology is linked to social and economic development, then it is imperative to ensure that Zambians understand the significance of these technologies and use them. This can only make sense when the playing field is leveled. Our involvement in National Information, Communications and Technologies mainstream advocacy programmes in our institutions so that the implementation processes are people driven.

Much has been said on the state of Africa's ICT policies, but what ought to be understood is that ICT development will not exist outside social and political framework. If government has no political to implement the ICT Policy, then access to the majority will not be realized. I want to challenge the government to quickly adopt the resolutions to be passed by the Civil as not doing so will negate development.
ICT is absolutely vital for today's information society. It is profoundly affecting all aspects of human activities and changing lifestyles. ICT provides organisations and individuals with new and more efficient tools and ways of doing things for increased communication and management effectiveness. It is the vehicle being used worldwide for ensuring a knowledge-based society for effective development. Benefits to be derived from wider application of the ICT are so many that Zambia cannot afford to be left behind by other countries in the implementing facets that will develop this important sector. To compete effectively and successfully in this fiercely competitive global economic environment, Zambia needs to apply ICTs in every day life.

Many governments in both developed and developing countries have recognised and identified access to ICTs as an important strategy towards the social and economic development of their populations. To achieve the nationwide goal of reducing the digital divide, it is incumbent upon governments to provide frameworks, incentives and enabling environment that will stimulate private sector investment in low-income and high cost areas.
For Zambia, the current policy guidelines broadly call for government subventions to support universal access and expansion of services to all parts of the country including rural and other underserved areas. Unfortunately, neither a strategy nor mechanisms exist for ensuring that universal access is implemented. This meeting therefore should guide a process for the same.
Major challenges still remain in the implementation of the ICT Policy in Zambia. Institutional infrastructure to facilitate a faster rollout of the e-government strategy is limited. The ICT systems that have been so far installed remain disjointed and fragmented and the ICT solutions are generally under-utilised, thus duplication and wastage remain. The lack of ICT standards hinders widespread growth and utilisation of applications. In practical terms, a number of technical, operational, and regulatory prerequisites must be instituted as we begin to institute the e- strategy for Zambia.
I understand that we shall come up with a position paper that will seek address the challenges and it should assist in refocusing efforts towards the implementation of the e-strategy. The paper ladies and gentle men should propose measures for putting in place viable public-private partnerships for the purpose of achieving the stipulated objectives in the ICT Policy, for enhancing partnerships, mobilizing resources, and for fast-tracking activities for rapid results.
Since it was first launched in 2001, The Global Information Technology Report has become a valuable and unique benchmarking tool to determine national ICT strengths and weaknesses, and to evaluate progress. It also highlights the continuing importance of ICT application and development for economic growth.
Zambia had dropped out of the rankings for ICT usage as assessed by the Global Information Technology Report (GITR). The report used the Networked Readiness Index to measure the degree of preparation of a nation or community to participate in and benefit from ICT developments. For the 2003/2004 assessments the country has been ranked 11th in Africa and 81st out of the best 115 world economies and for 2005/2006 Zambia has not been ranked. South Africa, Mauritius, Botswana have been ranked 37th, 45th, and 56th, respectively.

For the 2006/2007 report Zambia has been ranked 15th in Africa and 112 out of the best 122. The strides made need further enhancements and this only translates how we shall come up with implementation mechanisms as a country.