FINAL REPORT OF THE ITU SYMPOSIUM AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP

FINAL REPORT OF THE ITU SYMPOSIUM: AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE NEPAD OBJECTIVES Arusha (TANZANIA), 1-3 April 2003 TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT BUREAU INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION FINAL REPORT OF THE ITU SYMPOSIUM: AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE NEPAD OBJECTIVES Arusha (TANZANIA), 1-3 April 2003 TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT BUREAU INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION i FOREWORD It is often said that: A one-thousand mile journey begins with that first step. We made that first step in Arusha, Tanzania where we assembled from 1-3 April, 2003 with representatives from all walks of life who share our passion for driving the information and communication technology (ICT) agenda for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). We met to brainstorm, discuss and exchange views on how the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through its development arm, the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) could practically contribute towards achieving NEPAD’s ICT objectives. Following three days of deliberations, the Member States identified a number of challenges and proposed strategies and potential solutions contained in the adopted document that is entitled: Contribution of the Symposium to meet the objectives of NEPAD. Five major challenges were identified as key success factors to the achievement of the 10 main objectives set out in the NEPAD. These challenges are listed below and detailed later in the main body of the document: • • • • • Infrastructure Environment Technology Financial resources and Human resource development Now that these issues have been clearly identified, it is essential to move without further delay, to translate words into action. For this to be successful, we call upon all other players with whom we can forge meaningful partnerships and pool our resources for a common goal. In line with the ITU Constitution and its 4 year Strategic Plan, and within its mandate and resources, the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) will continue to support Member States as they strive to embrace digital opportunities. In that regard, we have committed ourselves to listen more so that we may be responsive to the needs of our membership. In fact, this symposium was held against a backdrop of a set of resolutions requesting ITU/ BDT to take all practical measures in support of the NEPAD initiative. The ITU member countries through Resolution 35 from the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-02) and Resolution 124 from the Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-02) directed the ITU/BDT to “pay particular attention to implementation of the provisions of the ITU-D Action Plan relating to support for NEPAD, earmarking resources so that this can be permanently monitored.” A list of actions to be undertaken in support of NEPAD are annexed to this resolution. Also, through Resolution 124, the ITU Member States recalled a number of pertinent UN Resolutions including the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 56/37 on the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development by the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-seventh ordinary session (Lusaka, July 2001) and the UN General Assembly Resolution 56/218 on the final review and appraisal of the New Agenda for the Development of Africa on plans and modalities for future engagement with NEPAD. In these General Assembly ii resolutions, a call was also extended to the UN System and the International community to support the New African Initiative. “ We stand at the brink of a transformation for the African continent. It is a moment that echoes the growth of ICTs with the potential of changing the lives of the majority of the people. If we manage to make information and communication technologies universally accessible to the majority of the people, the road to poverty alleviation will be tremendously shortened and the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals will for the first time look all the more within our grip. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Organization of Work……………………………………………………………………… 1 Session 1……………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Session 2……………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Session 3……………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Session 4 …………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………. 11 Contribution of the Symposium to meet the objectives of NEPAD ……………………….. 13 Annex 1 – Agenda………………………………………………………………………….. 19 Annex 2 – Constitution of the Bureau ……………………………………………………... 23 Annex 3 – Opening Addresses …………………………………………………………….. 27 Welcome remarks by Col. Abihudi N. Nalingigwa, Director General, Tanzania Communications Commission…………………………………………………………….. Statement of Mr. Jan Mutai, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union………………………………………………………………………………………. 29 31 Speech by Mr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Director, BDT……………………………………….. 35 Speech by Hon. Zubeir Ali Maulid (MP), Minister for Communications and Transport of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar …………………………………………… 39 Annex 4 – Closing Addresses ……………………………………………………………… 43 Closing Statement by Mr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Director, BDT……………………………. 45 Address by the Hon. Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro (MP), Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children………………………………………………………………………… 49 Annex 5 – List of Documents ……………………………………………………………… 53 Annex 6 – List of Participants ……………………………………………………………… 57 ii 1 REPORT OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE NEPAD OBJECTIVES Introduction The objective of the Symposium was to prepare a roadmap to achieve Nepad Objectives. The symposium was held in Arusha, Tanzania from 1-3 April 2003. The Opening Ceremony took place at 0915-1015 on 01 April with welcoming remarks from the Director General of TCC, Col Abihudi Nalingigwa, followed by statements from the Representative of ATU, Ms Namahoua Bamba, the Director of the BDT, Mr. Hamadoun I. Touré and a keynote address by the Guest of Honour, H.E. Mr. Ali Maulid Zuberi, Minister of Communications and Transport, Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. A vote of thanks was moved by Hon. Bakari Njie, Minister of Communications, Gambia. The symposium was attended by a total of 116 delegates from 37 countries and 15 Organizations. Copies of the statements at the Opening Ceremony, the constitution of the Bureau and a List of Participants are annexed to this Report. Organization of Work The Symposium was organized into 4 Sessions dealing with specific topics in which papers were presented and discussed. Each Session had a Chairman, a Secretary, and a Rapporteur. The 4 Sessions were followed by one breakout session during which the participants were split into two groups, one dealing with Infrastructure, Connectivity and Universal Access, and the other group dealing with Internet and e-applications. The latter groups were to produce recommendations that would form the Contribution of the Symposium to the Nepad objectives. Summary records of the Sessions follow. 2 SESSION 1: An overview on the role of ICTs Chairman: H.E. Mr. Bakary Njie, Secretary of State, Ministry of Communications, Information & Technology, Gambia Reporter: José Sumbana, Mozambique Communications Regulator (INCM) Speakers: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mr. Alexander NTOKO, Chief, E-Strategy Unit, BDT/ITU Prof. David MELLOR, President, Cable & Wireless Virtual Academy Ms. Roxana DUNNETTE, Global Executive, World Space Mr. Souheil MARINE, Business Development Manager Africa, Arab Countries and South Asia ALCATEL Ms. Asenath Mpatwa, Coordinator, Africa Unit 1.1 Building Trust and Confidence in the use of ICT Mr. Alexander Ntoko identified three driving factors in ICTs as access to information and how to benefit from it, miniaturization of equipment and convergence, new alliances and break-up of boundaries. He concluded by emphasizing on the need for governments to build the necessary confidence, by being proactive in promoting E-government initiatives by creating policies that facilitate the development of ICTs in our countries. Our continent should build synergies amongst the diverse stakeholders and collectively address common issues such as management of IP addresses, ccTLD names, open source, standards and interoperability. Comments were made by Mauritania who stated that concrete strategic missions from the Governments were necessary to achieve this.Africa has to find ways to decentralize the use of its infrastructure and make this use more accessible. 1.2 The knowledge you need Mr. David Mellor discussed various e-education programmes jointly offered with other partners such as the ITU. These on-line programs include the masters in Communication Management, which have proved very useful to African countries. Cable & Wireless emphasized the need to strengthen the human resources in Africa and that a few scholarships were being provided. He confirmed that the GTU was now operational. Several comments were made where it was suggested that Cable & Wireless work with African institutions to make the material more widely available. In response, Cable & Wireless stated that their role was to provide the knowledge and it was up to the partner universities to translate and make them available locally. The importance of monitoring the performance of students after completing the education program was also underscored. 3 1.3 Telecenters to connect Africa Ms. Roxana Dunnette started by outlining the vision of World Space which is to connect to the most remote areas in Africa using radio and data casting. World Space believes that for Africa to be connected it is necessary to empower communities with the support of Governments and local partners. Pilot projects have been implemented in Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and, Ghana using Mobile Telekiosks that will later be transformed into fixed kiosks and in order for this to work Telecenters have to be commercially based and run by the local people. These kiosks are used to run socio-economic programs like e-learning, egovernment, telemedicine etc. Issues concerning selection criteria, sustainability were raised and a response given that one of the ways to make such project sustainable was for example to use local material in building the kiosks and operate in populated areas like agricultural or industrial centers where other activities like video renting, film shows, discos, etc. could be provide to generate some revenues. 1.4 Re-inventing Internet Usage Mr. Souheil MARINE underscored the importance providing communications in remote areas and local communities based on their needs for information and should be responsible to define the type of information they need to ensure that network design is demand driven. Issues were raised as to problems of financing this infrastructure and access to equipment. 1.5 Mainstreaming gender into NEPAD objectives Mrs. Asenath Mpatwa underscored the need for governments to promote policies which favour gender equality through the regulatory framework, licencing and network deployments. She called upon participants to take this into account as they design ICTs to meet NEPAD objectives. Several comments were made that women should be given an opportunity to compete on a 50/50 basis with men when it comes jobs and business ownership. It is important for Governments to design policies that protect and empower women and this in turn will contribute to the reduction of poverty in our continent. Gender is usually associated with women and this is because women are the ones who have always been marginalized in the use of ICTs especially in Africa. 4 SESSION 2: African Regional Integration and NEPAD The session took place on 1 April 2003 and was chaired by the Deputy Minister from Sierra Leone, Honourable Mr. Egbenda Pascal. The chairman welcomed the delegates to the session and he said he looked forward to a lively discussion. 2.1 Assessment of Telecommunications and ICT infrastructure in Africa The chairman introduced the presenter of the paper, Mr. Brahima Sanou, Head, ITU Regional Office for Africa, Addis Ababa. In his presentation, Mr. Sanou highlighted the historical background on ICT sector in Africa and underscored the rapid market growth in mobile phone service. He observed that the continent has adequate capacity on submarine fibre optic cable along the Western and Southern coast but cross border connectivity within the African countries is still inadequate. He stressed the need to provide universal access to meet the large market demand in the rural areas. Mr. Sanou pointed out the following challenges in the ICT sector in Africa. construction of infrastructure operation of networks for economic growth creation of content to become a content provider other than a passive content consumer. In his conclusion, Mr. Sanou challenged the meeting participants to re-examine whether the African continent was any better than what it was during the pre-Panaftel era. The Chairman thanked Mr. Sanou for the brilliant presentation and he then invited comments from the delegates. The delegate from the African Connection made the following remarks: infrastructures in Africa are not adequately connected between different countries lack of interconnection is mainly attributed to having different policies in each country although there are now various sub-regional initiatives such as ECOWAS, SADC, COMESA to harmonise the Regulatory policies. cross border connectivity should be accelerated by licensing “wholesale” carriers to provide connectivity across countries. - The delegate from Mali commented as follows: The state of the telecommunications network is still the same as it was during the pre-Panaftel era since making phone calls from one country to another was still a big problem. using the internet was relatively better since it is routed via countries outside Africa regulators and operators need to address the issue of routing telephone calls between African countries via European and cities NEPAD needs to address the imbalance between services in rural and urban areas. 5 The EAC delegate stressed the need to reactivate the EAC digital transmission project which had been discontinued and highlighted the various initiatives being undertaken in the telecom sector in East Africa which include: telecom trunking project East African submarine cable project Lake Victoria communication project The delegate from Burkina Faso attributed the poor status of the telecommunication services in Africa to the lack of financial resources. The delegate from URTNA stressed the linkage of telecommunications and broadcasting and the vital role broadcasting can play in disseminating the objectives of NEPAD to the African population. He point out that Africa had high hopes in the RASCOM project due to its capability to provide cost effective communication to the continent but regretted the slow pace of implementation of the project. The delegate of Chad stressed the need to establish industries to manufacture ICT equipment in Africa to avoid being only a consumer of equipment. He also regretted the failure to implement RASCOM project which was initiated in the early 1990’s despite the strong political will to implement the project. He hoped NEPAD would be realized given the strong political will. The delegate from Gabon stressed the need for debt cancellation for Africa in order to facilitate implementation of NEPAD and other infrastructure projects. The delegate from RASCOM reaffirmed that RASCOM project was on course and delay was due to the need to avoid mistakes made by similar initiatives such as GMPCS. He explained that RASCOM would compliment other services and was not competing with them. The delegate from ECOWAS stressed the need for public private partnerships in setting up infrastructures. He reiterated that existing infrastructures could be used to raise sufficient funds to expand the networks and called for governments to create a conducive regulatory framework to attract investments. COMESA delegate pointed out that a lot of money was paid to other countries outside Africa as transit charges for traffic between African countries. The delegate regretted that there was a significant portion of the network in Africa that was still analogue and stressed the need for joint ventures to modernize the networks and raise the teledensity. He advised the meeting to utilize the Africa trade insurance company based in Kenya to cover risks associated with implementation of infrastructure projects. The delegate from Mauritania called for practical solutions to make the planned projects a reality and identified lack of resources as the main bottleneck. He challenged the meeting to propose realistic strategies for improvement of the state of infrastructure. In response to the comments, Mr. Sanou reaffirmed that there is strong political will for NEPAD and appealed to the delegates to come up with innovative ideas on mobilization of finances for infrastructure development to be proposed to our political leaders. He proposed that 6 implementation of cross-border connectivity should be addressed by the sub-regional organizations. 2.2 2.2.1 Technology trends, solutions and options INMARSAT’s appropriate satcoms technologies for Africa The chairman introduced the presenter of the paper on INMARSAT’s appropriate satcoms technologies for Africa, Mr. Tai Ogunderu, Regional Manager, INMARSAT. In his presentation, the presenter stressed the importance of satellite technology as a costeffective solution for rural communications since it is reliable, easy to install and independent of public utilities. He underscored the need to involve local communities in implementation of rural projects in order to ensure sustainability. He briefed the meeting on various products supplied by INMARSAT and their associated features and applications. In reaction to the presentation by Mr. Ogunderu, various delegates cited the difficulty experienced in use of INMARSAT terminals in rural applications due to the prohibitive cost. In response to the comments Mr. Ogunderu clarified the INMARSAT systems are meant to compliment terrestrial systems especially in rural areas not covered by terrestrial networks. He agreed that terrestrial systems are cheaper than INMARSAT’s terminals and are ideal for short term applications to reduce the imbalance between rural and urban services. 2.2.2 Solutions by Satellite The Chairman introduced the presenter of the paper Dr. Milenko Stojkovic, Director, Telecommunications Policy and Regulatory Affairs, INTELSAT. Mr. Stojkovic gave an overview of the performance indicators on ICT sector in Africa and argued that a large untapped demand exists in the continent. He stated that the demand for DTH/DBS is expected to grow due to the limited availability of terrestrial systems. He informed the meeting that INTELSAT was founded 30 years ago and is currently providing domestic and international communications to 53 countries with 14 satellite covering Africa. He concluded his presentation with a highlight of the various services and technical solutions offered by Intelsat and pledged to collaborate with African countries in identifying viable solutions for application in rural and remote areas. In response to the presentation, the Director/BDT, Mr. Hamadoun I, Toure informed the meeting that ITU was closely working with Intelsat and other suppliers in identifying viable solutions for the rural areas of Africa. The Director emphasized the need to implement projects on a large scale in order to bring down the costs and discouraged continuation with the pilot projects which were already too many. 7 2.2.3 Cost Efficient Methods for increasing Accessibility The Chairman introduced the presenter of the paper Mr. Mikko J. Salminen, Director, Strategy and Business Development, NOKIA Networks. Mr. Salminen started his presentation with a forecast of growth of Mobile communications predicting that mobile subscribers will each about 2.3 billion subscribers in the year 2007. He further briefed the meeting on the evolution of GSM technology from 2G to GDRS and EDGE and outlined the features and capabilities of the next generation systems, such as WCDMA. In response to the presentation the delegate from Mauritania appealed to the speakers to focus to the theme of the symposium which was to propose a roadmap to achieve NEPAD objectives. 2.2.4 Affordable solutions for universal Access The Chairman introduced the presenter of the paper, Mr. Souheil Marine, Business Development Manger Africa, Arab Countries and South Asia, ALCATEL. Mr. Marine outlined the various products manufactured by Alcatel including IN platforms and underscored the significant amount of investments required in Access networks. He argued that Africa needs to deploy a wide variety of technologies in the access networks and could not recommend a specific technology. He identified the following factors in selection of a specific technology: • Service to be offered • Teledensity • Business considerations (cost, available investment, projected revenue etc) He argued that traditional Wireless Local Loop (WLL) systems are not suitable for rural application and re commended use of “cordless” mobile and prepaid GSM with restricted mobility as the most cost-effective technologies in the underserved rural areas. He emphasized the need for large scale investment, use of proven technology and involvement of local players as the corner stones in the provision of universal access. Commenting on the presentation the delegate from Africa connection informed the meeting that a study on rural communications for 10 African countries has been carried out and the results of the study will be displayed on the African connection website for use by any interested country or organization. A provisional tool on rural ICT market opportunities would also be posted on the website for use by investors and operators by May which will be replaced by a tested tool kit by September 2003. The delegate from ECOWAS proposed that technology for rural areas should be chosen on a case by case basis depending on what is available on the market. He lamented that various models of funding for universal access programmes have been tried without success and challenged the meeting to come up with innovative models such as annual levy on operators and asymmetrical interconnection for rural services. He further proposed a review of real life case studies in order to share experience in universal access and challenged the meeting to propose a feasible roadmap to achieve the NEPAD objectives. 8 Commenting on the presentation, the Director BDT objected to the proposal expressed by ALCATEL recommending GSM technology over WLL for rural applications as both technologies require electricity for operation. In response Mr. Marine insisted that GSM was a much better developed technology than WLL. The delegate from Mauritania proposed that successful rural pilot projects should be presented for sharing as experience. The Chairman thanked all the speakers for their brilliant presentations and adjourned the meeting. DAY 2: 2 April 2003: 09:00 – 13.00 hours SESSION 3: Continental or Regional Infrastructure Projects SESSION 4: Roles of Stakeholders (Rapporteur: Eng. J.N. Kariuki, KENYA) Preamble: The above sessions, on the proposal of Director, BDT and unanimous support by delegates, were combined to form one session and all the papers were considered together. Further, the Director of BDT sought views from the delegates regarding the output of this symposium. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the output should be “ Contribution to the NEPAD Action Plan” and the drafting group of rapporteurs to make a draft of the way forward. SESSION 3: Continental or Regional Infrastructure Projects 3.1 RASCOM, a cornerstone for implementing NEPAD ICTs objectives, Mr. Casimir LEKE BETECHUOH, Vice- President, International Relations, RASCOM The presenter outlined how RASCOM is considered a cornerstone for implementing NEPAD ICT objectives and that ITU, World Bank and ADB could play a major role. NEPAD objectives can only be achieved by African Regional ICT infrastructure and because of lack terrestrial links satellite technology is more appropriate. RASCOM satellites cover the whole of Africa using both C and Ku- Bands , offers various services and is due for operation in the period 2005-2006. 9 3.2 The role of Funding Agencies, Mr. Admassu TADESSE, DBSA Mr. Tedesse outlined some key elements of the financing context, which provide the basis for the appropriate role of funding agencies in ICT development in the region. The key elements were as follows: • Catalyze investments by being an early financer, lender and investor • Encourage and support creativity in approaches to risk in Africa • Assist in local capacity building • Support national efforts to commercialize(corporatize) telecom monopolies • Assist in development of Africa- relevant Performance indicators(PI) • Support the development of capital markets to enable local investment. He gave an indication of the investment requirements by referring to what would be required to achieve the goal of increasing tele-density from under 1/100 to 2/100 by 2005. This he explained represented 12% of the 64 billion annual investment requirement estimated in the NEPAD Vision/Strategy Document. He pointed out that while capital is scarce, money is still available and the problem is lack of enough bankable projects. He gave an example of earmarked concessional funds at the AfDB that were being rolled over due to lack of take up. 3.3: The COMTEL project, Dr. Abu DAFALLA, COMESA Dr. Dafalla outlined the COMTEL project and stated that it will be run as a private company which will use OFC to link various countries with some sections using terrestrial microwave and satellite. The interim board of directors is already formed with PTA Bank as the financial adviser. He further indicated that the project will save transit charges and stimulate traffic in the region. The project plans to use ATM Routers and SDH links to provide a platform for multiple ICT services (including Regional Internet backbone, Regional TV Network and Virtual Private Networks) with distance independent tariffs estimated at less than 10 cents per minute. The project is open to non-COMESA countries and already more than ten countries have signed the shareholders agreement. The payment of share subscriptions is under way. The negotiations with potential investors to secure strategic equity partner has reached an advanced stage. 3.4: The Regional Telecoms Maintenance Centre, Mr. Michel OUEDRAOGO, General Manager, CMTL The writer sent apologies. However the paper was introduced by Mr. Sanou of the ITU Secretariat who stated that the paper was based on experience from LOME. 3.5: East Africa Submarine Cable Project, Mr. John Sihra, Director, Zanzibar Telecom Ltd The presenter stated that East Coast is the only part of the African continent that has neither intra – African nor direct access to worldwide international cable networks and East African countries are solely dependent on access via satellites. Past initiatives to develop a system have not materialized. 10 To redress the critical situation, to provide routing diversity, at the East African business summit meeting held at Nanyuki in Kenya last November it was decided to develop a submarine cable system along the coast of eastern Africa from Durban to Djibouti. As a follow up of the decision taken at the E:A: business summit, Telkom Kenya called a consultative meeting of the interested participants at Nairobi in Kenya on 31st January 2003 to agree on the way forward to develop the proposed project. Consultative committee appointed the initial project coordination team headed by Zantel and assisted by a representative of each of the initial members. As a way forward countries are expected to execute an MOU which will require some form of financial commitment to progress the project further and “kick - start” the project. Support of, for example, NEPAD would be vital to the development of the project and the estimated budgetary project costs are in the region of us $ 250 – 300 million. SESSION 4: Roles of Stakeholders 4.1 The role of the ITU, Ms. Asenath MPATWA, Coordinator, Africa Unit Ms Mpatwa stated that the ITU role is mainly that of a catalyst in assisting African countries. ITU would play an impartial role to bring together member states, governments, private agencies, civil societies etc. The presenter added that ITU’S role was complementary to other initiatives such as • UN Millennium Development Goals • WSIS Themes and Draft Action Plans • NEPAD ICT Objectives Specific directives to support these initiatives were given to the ITU by its member states through resolutions of WTDC-02 and the Istanbul Action Plan as well as the Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakech 02). These directives and activities enhances the catalytic role of ITU. 4.2 The role of governments and the ATU, Mr. Jan MUTAI, Secretary- General, ATU(represented by Ms. Namahoua Bamba) Ms. Bamba gave an overview of the role of governments and ATU and presented the mission, vision and structure of ATU. She added that ATU is an implementation agency of NEPAD ICT objectives and is also a member of e-commission. ATU also plays the role of a coordinator of Africa position in international fora such as ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, World Radio Conference and World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). ATU also coordinates with sub-regional bodies such as SADC, ECOWAS etc. and assists in capacity building through regional training centres such as AFRALTI and ESMTDakar with whom it has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). 11 4.3 The role of Regional Economic Organizations, Dr. Remi ARIBISALA, Deputy Executive Secretary for Integration Programmes, ECOWAS (represented by Dr. M. O. Afolabi) The paper presented ECOWAS objectives and Programme which relate principally to integrating its telecommunication, information technology and mass communication departments and projects in the context of ICT objectives. The role of ECOWAS as is for the Regional Economic Communities involves the execution, monitoring and coordination of the NEPAD sectoral projects, which were principally derived from the priority projects of Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The presentation concluded with the recognition of the importance of the issues of culture, appropriate technology, gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment in the implementation of NEPAD projects and programmes to ensure maximum impact in the lives of the community citizens. The presentations were followed by comments and clarifications. Conclusion Given the level of participation and lively discussions that followed the presentations, the symposium was able to attain its objective of coming up with an African ICT Roadmap to achieve NEPAD objectives. The output of the symposium the "Contribution of the Symposium to achieving the objectives of the NEPAD" which will be forwarded to the Head of State responsible for NEPAD is attached to this report. 13 CONTRIBUTION OF THE SYMPOSIUM TO MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF NEPAD 15 ITU SYMPOSIUM: AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE NEPAD OBJECTIVES Arusha, 1-3 April 2003 In conformity with the political decision of African Heads of State who in 2001adopted the initiative of New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) in order to establish solid partnership and enhance the overall development of the continent within the context of the Yaounde Declaration ARPM-WTDC-02, the Istanbul Action Plan (Resolution N°35, WTDC-02, the Bamako Declaration on the World Information Society, the ATU strategic Plan for 20022006, Resolution N°124 of the Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-02) of the ITU and all other commitments taken within of the United Nations system as well as in regional and sub-regional development organisations. Noting major shortfalls in the areas of infrastructures, environment, technologies, financial and human resources related to ICTs. Noting that mainstreaming of gender, youths, people with disabilities and other disempowerments is important in ICT development and for achieving universal access The participants at the ITU symposium have decided to make the following contribution to the initiatives and measures already undertaken to implement the objectives of NEPAD. This contribution addresses five major challenges that Africa should take up in order to implement the main 10 objectives of NEPAD in the domain of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) including telecommunication, computing, broadcasting and multimedia networks, content, services and applications. To this end the symposium recommends the following: I. INFRASTRUCTURE 1. Evaluate existing infrastructure in Africa and propose coherent strategy and mechanisms for coordinating the development of the infrastructure. 2. Give high priority to ICT infrastructure due to its multiplier effect on other development sectors. 3. Develop national, sub-regional and regional carrier of carriers and digital links as well as cross-border inter- connectivity. 4. Propose integrated strategies that would allow/permit the population to access and applications at low cost. 5. Encourage sharing of alternative infrastructure and cross-border networks including power lines and promote sharing of facilities such as towers, masts, buildings, etc. II. ENVIRONMENT 1. Harmonise national regulatory frameworks at regional and sub-regional levels in order to stimulate private investments. 16 2. Implement at national, sub-regional and continental levels, mechanisms that would reduce cost of equipment and services such as removal and reduction of all forms of taxes on ICT equipment, software and licenses as well as encouraging development of market forces and improvement of supply lines, facilities and services. 3. Encourage industrialization of ICTs and manufacture of ICT equipment based on, inter alia, the INDAFTEL project of the ITU with a view to transfer of technology. 4. Facilitate migration of existing ICT infrastructure to the new generation based on IP 5. Encourage licensing of ICT infrastructure on the basis of the use of shared facilities. 6. Encourage cooperation and partnership in the form of joint ventures with equipment manufacturers. 7. Encourage implementing regional markets on ICTs so as to stimulate investments and benefit from economies of scale. 8. Adopt common standards as well as encourage inter-state consultations to facilitate cross-border link projects. 9. Support regional organizations that are implementing ICT projects for integration and the development of national trade. 10. Create coordination mechanisms that would facilitate the implementation of ICT projects of NEPAD supported by sub-regional organizations within the framework of a continental structure. 11. Formulate appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure information security in order to create confidence in use of ICTs and the Internet in particular. 12. Implement mechanisms for establishing national data and statistics banks for reliable, and consistent information and statistics that would be networked at sub-regional and continental levels and be easily accessible by all stakeholders. 13. Reinforce exchange of information at national, sub-regional and continental levels. 14. That gender sensitive policies, legislation and regulations that seek to transform institutions into gender aware environments be taken into consideration when designing and implementing ICT projects under NEPAD. III. TECHNOLOGY 1. Encourage the implementation of appropriate technology at low cost in rural areas 2. Africa should have its own institutions for management of public Internet resources, for example Internet address and domain names. 3. ITU should assist Africa to establish its own Regional Structure for the Management of Public Internet Resources (IP Addresses, country code top Level Domains) 4. The continent needs to establish its own regional Internet backbone on which national Internet backbones can be established. 5. Encourage setting up of national internet exchange points so as to avoid routing of intraAfrica bound traffic via exchange points located outside the continent. 6. Africa needs to deploy mechanisms to enable it to develop and manage local internet content taking into account local languages and cultural diversities. 7. African states should encourage technical efforts already implemented by some existing structures (civil society, private operators) that respond to priorities and objectives of NEPAD in the development of Internet and assign coordination to ATU and E-Africa Commission with technical assistance of the ITU. 8. URTNA’s capacity should be strengthened to achieve NEPAD’s ICT objectives through broadcasting (radio and television). 17 IV. FINANCIAL RESOURCES 1. Facilitate access to universal service funds by developing partnerships with financial institutions 2. Encourage implementation of universal service funds at national and sub-regional levels. V. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 1. Enhance human capacity by putting accent on gender and youth training 2. Encourage creation of research centres on ICT issues. 3. Establish internet training centres Taking into account all of the above, the symposium mandates the Chairman of the symposium (Minister in charge of ICTs of the United Republic of Tanzania) to lead a ministerial delegation including the Ministers of Chad and the Gambia, the President of the African Development Bank, the Director of BDT and the Secretary-General of ATU to the Head of State in charge of implementing the ICT aspects of NEPAD in order to present the input from this Symposium. Finally, the ATU and the ITU are urged to circulate this contribution all relevant forthcoming meetings. 19 ANNEX 1 AGENDA 23 ITU SYMPOSIUM: AFRICAN ICT ROADMAP TO ACHIEVE NEPAD OBJECTIVES Arusha, 1-3 April 2003 AGENDA Day 1 (1 April 2003) Registration: 8:00 – 9:00 hours 9:00 – 10:30 hours Opening Ceremony 10:30 – 13:00 hours Session 1: An overview on the role of ICTs 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Building Trust and Confidence in the use of ICT The Knowledge you need Telecentres to connect Africa Re-inventing Internet usage Mainstreaming gender into NEPAD objectives Mr. Alexander NTOKO, Chief, E-Strategy Unit, BDT/ITU (Doc 9) Prof. David MELLOR, President, Cable & Wireless Virtual Academy (Doc 2) Ms. Roxana DUNNETTE, Global Executive, World Space (Doc 4) Mr. Souheil MARINE, Business Development Manager Africa, Arab Countries and South Asia ALCATEL (Doc 6) Ms. Asenath Mpatwa, Coordinator, Africa Unit (Doc 12) 13:00 – 14:00 hours Lunch break 14.00-16.00 hours Session 2: African Regional Integration and NEPAD 2.1 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 Assessment of Telecommunication and ICT infrastructure in Africa Technology trends, solutions and options INMARSAT’S Appropriate Satcoms Technologies for Africa Solutions by satellite Mr. Brahima Sanou, Head, ITU Regional Office for Africa, Addis Ababa (Doc 7) Mr. Tai OGUNDERU, Regional Manager, INMARSAT (Doc 10) Dr. Milenko STOJKOVIC, Director, Telecommunications Policy & Regulatory Affairs, INTELSAT (Doc 14) 16.00 - 16.15 hours Coffee break 16:15 – 18.00 hours Session 2: (continued) 2.2.3 2.2.4 Cost efficient methods for increasing accessibility Mr. Mikko J. SALMINEN, Director, Strategy & Business Development, NOKIA Networks (Doc 15) Affordable solution for Universal Access Mr. Souheil MARINE, Business Development Manager Africa, Arab Countries and South Asia, ALCATEL (Doc 8) 24 Day 2: 2 April 2003 09:00 – 10:30 hours Session 3: Continental or Regional Infrastructure projects 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Mr. Casimir LEKE BETECHUOH, VicePresident, International Relations, RASCOM (Doc 3) The role of Funding Agencies Mr. Admassu Tedesse, DBSA (Doc 18) The COMTEL project Dr. Abu DAFALLA, COMESA (Doc 13) The Regional Telecoms Maintenance Centre Mr. Michel OUEDRAOGO, General Manager, CMTL (Doc 5) East Africa Submarine Cable Project Mr. John Sihra, Director, Zanzibar Telecom Ltd. (Doc 11) Session 4: Roles of Stakeholders The role of the ITU The role of governments and the ATU The role of Regional Economic Organizations Ms. Asenath MPATWA, Coordinator, Africa Unit (Doc 16) Mr. Jan MUTAI, Secretary-General, ATU (Doc 21) Dr. Remi ARIBISALA, Deputy Executive Secretary for Integration Programmes, ECOWAS (Doc 17) RASCOM, a cornerstone for implementing NEPAD ICTs objectives 4.1 4.2 4.3 10:45 – 13:00 hours Session 5: Break out sessions 13:00 – 14:00 hours Lunch break 14:00 – 16:00 hours Session 5: Break out sessions (continued) 16:00 – 16:15hours Coffee break 16:15 – 18:00 hours Session 6: Presentations from Break out sessions Day 3: 3 April 2003 10:00 – 12:00 hours Session 7: Plenary Wrap up and adoption of the report 12.00 – 12:30 hours Closing Ceremony 23 ANNEX 2 CONSTITUTION OF THE BUREAU 25 CONSTITUTION OF THE BUREAU OVERALL SYMPOSIUM Chair: Vice-Chairs: Rapporteur: Executive Secretary: Assistant to the Executive Secretary: Tanzania Chad, Gambia, Sierra Leone Cameroon Hamadoun I. Touré, Director, BDT Brahima Sanou, Head, ITU Regional Office SESSION 1: AN OVERVIEW ON THE ROLE OF ICTs Chair: H.E. Dr. Bakary Njie, Secretary of State for Communications, GAMBIA Rapporteur: Mozambique Secretariat: A. Mpatwa SESSION 2: AFRICAN REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND NEPAD Chair: H.E. Mr. Pascal Egbenda, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, SIERRA LEONE Rapporteur: Uganda Secretariat: A. Ntoko SESSION 3 : CONTINENTAL OR REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS Chair: H.E. Mr. Routouang Yoma Golom, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, CHAD Rapporteur: Kenya Secretariat: C. Zavazava SESSION 4 : ROLES OF STAKEHOLDERS Chair: H.E. Mr. Routouang Yoma Golom, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, CHAD Rapporteur: Gabon Secretariat: M. Ameziane Break out Session Group A: Infrastructure, connectivity and universal access Moderator: Sidiki Konaté (Mali) Rapporteur: ECOWAS Secretariat: M. Ameziane Break out Session Group B: Internet and e-applications Moderator: David Kapitolo (Zambia) Rapporteur: Kenya Secretariat: A. Ntoko 27 ANNEX 3 OPENING ADDRESSES 29 OPENING ADDRESSES Welcome remarks by Col. Abihudi N. Nalingigwa Director General, Tanzania Communications Commission The Guest of Honour, Honourable Zubeir Maulid (MP), Honourable Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Missions, Director of the ITU BDT, Distinguished delegates, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the Communications community in Tanzania and on my own behalf, I take this opportunity to welcome you to Tanzania and Arusha in particular. For colleagues from Geneva I say welcome back. This is in reflection of the Status accorded to Arusha city by the former US President Bill Clinton who described Arusha as the “Geneva of Africa”. I trust that your stay in Arusha will be enjoyable and that you will spare few hours in your busy schedule to visit our natural heritage around Arusha such as the Tarangire, Manyara an Arusha National Parks. Ladies and Gentlemen, the communications sector in Tanzania has been an active participant to various activities organised by the ITU in the bid to promote information and communications technologies (ICTs). This includes development initiatives like NEPAD and the on-going forthcoming World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) to be held in Geneva and Tunis in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Honourable Guest of Honour, the effectiveness of any activity is judged by its ability to achieve the desired goal. Even without critical assessment one would tell that the goal of universal access in the information and communications services in Africa is still far from being realised. This justifies as well as the need for NEPAD initiative, deliberations of this forum. With these few remarks let me thank each one of you for accepting to join us in Arusha to chart out strategies to implement the ICTs development programmes under the NEPAD initiative. Thank you for your attention. 31 Statement of Mr. Jan Mutai Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Guest of Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Mrs. Namahoua Bamba, Development Research and Programme Coordinator at the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). I have the great honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Mr. Jan Mutai, Secretary General of ATU. Mr Mutai regrets being unable to attend this important event, due to other urging commitments. Guest of Honor, Mr. Hamadoun Toure, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to have this opportunity, to address this august assembly that brings together keys decision makers and officials from the whole Africa region, business leaders in the ICT industry and development partners. May I at the onset, express my gratitude to ITU, for inviting ATU, the organization I represent, to take part in this event. I would also like to express our gratitude to the host country, Tanzania, for the excellent facilities, they have provided for the holding of this meeting. Guest of Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen, When the international community met at the Millennium Summit, they adopted the Millennium Declaration which recognizes “the wide consensus that information and communication technologies (ICT) are central to the creation of the emerging global knowledge-based economy and can play an important role in accelerating growth, in promoting sustainable development and eradicating poverty in developing countries as well as countries with economies in transition and in facilitating their effective integration into the global economy”. The challenges facing Africa are enormous. Especially, the digital divide in Africa is huge: • • The total teledensity of Africa is 55 per one thousand people compared with 327 for the world as a whole and 1200 for high-income countries. And there are only 85 Internet users per ten thousand people in Africa compared with 821 for the world as a whole and 3993 for high-income countries. 32 Guest of Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen, The African leaders have recognized these challenges and justifiably they have chosen ICT as one of the priority programmes of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Because of their crosscutting nature, ICTs are seen as crucial for the speedy implementation of all development projects and programmes that are meant to have a visible positive effect on the lives of ordinary Africans. NEPAD, which is a pledge by African leaders to halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization processes, has been enthusiastically received and endorsed internationally as Africa’s principal agenda for development, within the institutional framework of the African Union (AU). Already, NEPAD is providing a common African platform from which to engage the international community in a dynamic partnership that holds real prospects for creating a better life for all. It has been endorsed widely by global and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank. In addition, at the third ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-02), held in Istanbul in March 2002, and the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-02), held in Marrakech in October 2002, ATU sponsored the adoption of resolutions requesting ITU to engage into NEPAD and to support the initiative by earmarking resources to undertake programmes and projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development and integration of African countries. We are happy to see that this has become a reality today. Guest of Honor, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to commend ITU and specifically the BDT, for having already undertaken relevant programmes and activities that concur to the realization of the NEPAD ICT objectives. We look forward with anticipation to the results of this important symposium, which will obviously provide important inputs to the medium and long term action plans of NEPAD strategy and action plan for the accelerated deployment of ICT to meet Africa’s development needs. We also place great expectations in future enhanced co-operation and collaboration with ITU and other development partners with the objectives to: • Foster policy and regulatory harmonization for regional ICT market integration in order to create larger common markets based on Regional Economic Communities (RECs) levels whilst increasing private sector participation; Promote initiatives for regional investment in both access and cross-border backbone infrastructures and services through smart partnership between public, private and volunteer sectors in order to achieve universal access and full inter-country connectivity; • 33 • Facilitate institutional and human capacity building in the fields of treaty making, standards setting, policy formulation, regional integration and investment promotion. It is our strong believe that this will bring mutual benefit of greater value to African countries, within the NEPAD framework. In conclusion, may I once again, thank ITU, for having invited me to share my views with you, and I wish this symposium every success in its deliberations. I thank you all for your kind attention. 35 Speech by Mr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Director, BDT Hon. Zubeir Ali Maulid, Minister for Communications and Transport, Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Hon. Egbenda Pascal, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Sierra Leone, Mr. Jan Mutai, Secretary-General, ATU Representatives of international organizations, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to address this august gathering here in Arusha, a place where about twenty years ago, the Maitland Commission Report, better known as the “Missing Link” was launched by the Independent Commission for world-wide telecommunications development. You will no doubt recall that this was headed by Sir Donald Maitland and one of the four ViceChairmen was a national of this country, Honorable John S. Malecela who was then Minister of Transport and Communications at the time. For this reason, I feel that this is a perfect place for a meeting of this kind as we take stock of what has been accomplished during this period and chart out the future direction for ICT development in the continent. Compared to the situation in 1984, African countries have made significant progress to develop telecommunications networks and services on their own or in partnership with the international community. Despite these achievements, a lot remains to be done. As we ponder about the future, it is important to recall here what the Maitland Commission Report stated in its very detailed and comprehensive conclusion and I quote “Given the vital role telecommunications play not only in such obvious fields as emergency, health and other social services, administration and commerce, but also in stimulating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life, creating effective networks world-wide will bring immense benefits. An increase in international traffic will generate funds which could be devoted to the further improvement and development of telecommunication services. The increased flow of trade and information will contribute to better international relationship. The process of creating effective networks worldwide will provide new markets for the high technology and other industries, some of which are already suffering from surplus productive capacity. The interest industrialized and developing countries share in the world-wide development of telecommunication is as great as in the exploitation of new sources of energy. and yet it is far less appreciated. We look to governments of industrialized and developing countries alike to give fuller recognition to this common interest and to join their efforts to redress the present imbalance in the distribution of telecommunications which the entire international community should deplore.” The report went on to point out four categories of major stakeholders in the joint effort as follows: “- First, governments and development assistance agencies must give a higher priority than hitherto to investment in telecommunications. 36 Secondly, existing networks in developing countries should be made more effective, have an objective of commercial viability, and should become progressively selfreliant. The benefits to the new technologies should be exploited in full to the extent that these are appropriate and adaptable to the countries’ requirements. Thirdly, financing arrangements must take account of the scarcity of foreign exchange in many developing countries, and Fourthly, the ITU should play a more effective role.” - This statement continues to be as valid today as it was 20 years ago, and sets perfectly the tone for our meeting. It outlines, most eloquently, the issues and challenges facing us and the context of their possible solutions which calls not only for the individual efforts by the countries, but for more extensive and elaborate national, regional and international partnerships. On the one hand, the African leadership through the NEPAD vision have expressed commitment to support development of ICT infrastructures in Africa while on the other hand, the international community through the UN and G8 has also expressed willingness to support this vision. What is required now is to go one step further to translate these commitments into actions. To kick start the process, African countries need to identify concrete projects and actions where partnerships can be developed to implement network infrastructures and services which the continent needs in order to exploit its potentials not only within individual countries but also jointly as a continent. In this respect, please allow me once again to refer to the following statement made by the Maitland Commission: “Our analysis of the problems and the recommendations we have made show that there is no single remedy. A range of actions over a wide front and at different levels is required. Progress will be made only in stages. But, if the effort is sustained, the situation world-wide could be transformed in twenty years. All mankind could be brought within easy reach of a telephone by the early part of next century and our objective achieved.” The early part of that century is now and it would appear that we have only partially met the objective. Admittedly, a lot of progress has been made towards that direction, but a lot remains to be done. In searching for possible solutions to accelerate realization of the objective, the continent has undergone several stages of evolutions; starting with liberalization of the telecommunications sector, establishment of regulatory agencies and partial privatization of incumbent operators. During the launching of the Maitland Commission report in January 1985, the teledensity for Africa was 0.95 telephones per 100 people and only 0.32 for Sub-Sahara Africa. Most, if not all of the networks were analogue and service coverage was mainly limited to larger urban areas serving less than 20% of the population. At the end of 2001, the teledensity had reached 6.2 telephones per 100 people for Africa as whole and 1.9 for Sub-Saharan countries thanks to the unprecedented growth in mobile services. The projections for end of this year have been put at 10.9 telephones per 100 people and 3.7 respectively. This “boom”, an outcome of commendable efforts shows that Africa presents an excellent business opportunity for investments where both African countries and international partners can strike a win win situation. What is required is for governments to continue creating a conducive environment to exploit such opportunities to the mutual benefit of the partners. Indeed, widespread availability of ICTs is the corner stone of Universal Access. In this respect, estimates show that the continent would require installation of several millions of multi 37 community telecentres to achieve the goal of Universal Access for its nearly six hundred millions inhabitants. This is a formidable task and at the same time a wonderful business opportunity considering the bulk of ICT infrastructure required to realize such an objective. More than at any other time, Africa needs the necessary policies and strategies; infrastructure, skills as well as viable partnerships and alliances to realize massive projects which would make an impact in the attainment of ICT objectives in line with the NEPAD vision. Fortunately, men and women gathered in this room represent a combination of all the necessary skills needed to develop such projects, forge partnerships and take full responsibility for ultimate implementation. I therefore have great expectations that Africa is about to witness and experience tremendous growth in ICT infrastructures which would facilitate wider accessibility to ICT services and applications in the continent. During the two and a half days, we will discuss and explore various options which can facilitate realization of this vision. It is up to us seated in this room to make this realization for Africa. Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The theme of this symposium rightly conveys the message which needs to be embraced by all of us as we deliberate on various options and solutions on the question of ICT infrastructures. The NEPAD objectives for ICTs call for bridging the infrastructure gap in order to increase accessibility and improve reliability of services as well as making them affordable to enable all African countries to use electronic communications. To achieve these objectives, the vision calls for co-operation or partnerships among all stakeholders such as governments, regional institutions, the private sector and financial institutions. Through such partnerships, the stakeholders are expected to put in place harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks ; implement infrastructure projects and set up financing mechanisms as well as implementing capacity building activities to ensure availability of competent skills in the continent. It is worth noting that these objectives coincide with the actions set out for the Telecommunication Development Bureau under Resolution 35 from the World Telecommunications Development Conference and Resolution 4 from the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. This symposium is the first step to implement the two Resolutions. It is aimed at forging the cooperation called for by the NEPAD in order to translate its objectives into concrete actions with well defined and measurable scopes and timeframes. I believe now is the time to consolidate what each stakeholder has been planning or implementing individually so that we come out with consolidated actions and projects. We need to agree on suitable review and follow up mechanisms in order to constantly remind ourselves about the targets and objectives we need to achieve within the defined timeframe. I feel that this is the best way for us to assess our achievements in realizing the NEPAD vision for ICT development in the continent. Ladies and Gentlemen, The leadership in Africa is now fully aware of the role of telecommunications and ICTs and have invariably initiated measures both at regional and national levels to develop policy frameworks and implement various ICT related projects. There is widespread recognition across the continent that ICTs are a key driver for sustainable economic growth. Through partnerships, the ITU has implemented a number of ICT projects in a number of developing countries 38 including Africa. A few of these include e-commerce and digital certification solutions in Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Senegal. To mainstream gender in our activities, an IP- based solution was implemented in Cameroon to enable 3,500 members of the African Business Women’s Association (ASAFE) market their products and services worldwide. ITU is also active in the establishment of community telecentres as a cost effective method of extending access to ICT services in developing countries. A few of the countries where such projects were implemented include Cape Verde, Mali, Uganda and Tanzania. More projects are planned for Benin and Namibia. Telemedicine is another area where ITU in partnership with others implemented a number of projects including Senegal, Mozambique and Guinea while projects in Kenya and Ethiopia are about to start. In the area of capacity building, ITU continues to work with several partners to deliver ICT related training in the Centres of Excellence based in Nairobi and Dakar, while the Global Telecommunication University and the Global Training Institute offer degree level and short term courses respectively. In addition to these, the Virtual Training Centre and the Internet Training Centers Initiative provide training opportunities to students and ICT professionals in developing countries. As you will note, there are many institutions engaged in implementing internet and ICT applications in the continent today, but these are still far from meeting demand. Africa has no shortage of pilot projects in telemedicine and tele-education, telecentres, etc. but as we all know, pilots are meant to fly: Africa now needs large-scale implementation of these applications for them to make a real impact on the economies of countries and on the quality of lives for its people. It goes without saying that without viable partnerships, cooperation and close coordination, such visions cannot be realized. As we explore options for achieving the NEPAD vision, it is important to revisit the need to put in place harmonized legal and regulatory policies across the continent. Such a move would permit investments across national boundaries, as well as joint implementation of infrastructure projects. Furthermore, it would enable countries to benefit from economies of scale by pooling together resources and projects and creating strong negotiating powers when dealing with foreign partners, suppliers and funding agencies Ladies and Gentlemen, As we deliberate on the ICT roadmap for the continent, it is pertinent to note that we cannot raise ICT accessibility if the continent lacks adequate and appropriate ICT network infrastructures that would facilitate provision of ICT related services. ITU through the World Telecommunication development Conference resolutions 35 and 37 as well as Plenipotentiary Conference Resolution 4 is committed to cooperate on a non exclusive basis with all stakeholders, the NEPAD Secretariat, member states and development partners by contributing in concrete ways to the promotion and development of ICT infrastructure and services in Africa. We believe that the approach leading to prioritization of the proposed projects by African countries is the key for bringing ICTs to remote and underserved areas in Africa. Let me conclude by expressing my optimism that all of us singularly and jointly in our respective domains will take up this challenge and come out with a clear direction and roadmap for Africa’s ICT development. I thank you for your audience. 39 Speech by Hon. Zubeir Ali Maulid (MP) Minister for Communications and Transport of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Honourable Ministers, The Director, Bureau of Telecommunications Development, ITU, Members of the Diplomatic corps, Representatives of regional and international organisations, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. I wish to welcome all of you to Arusha, the city that is increasingly playing a pan-African role. Holding this event in Arusha is both a pleasant coincidence and recognition of its role in promoting the ideals of the African people; sustainable economic development, peace and stability and harmonious international relations. Let me not repeat what has already been said except to add that the International Telecommunication Union has indeed done us a great honour by its decision to host this important symposium in Arusha. I am extremely pleased to be able to officiate at this very important event and share with you my vision of the development of the info-communications sector in Africa. This symposium will enable us to combine the ideals and aspirations of the International Telecommunication Union, the organisation that has shown sincere commitments to support the transformation of the state of telecommunications and ICTs in Africa with the vision and pledge of African leaders and the people of this continent for an African-owned and African-led development blueprint. By supporting and initiating a number of activities at the regional and country levels, ITU has been facilitating among other things, the development of the ICT sector in Africa through capacity building programmes, sector reform and infrastructure development dating back to the days of the OAU led PANAFTEL initiative. The birth of the African Union was itself a manifestation of the desire of the people of Africa to adopt a new approach to continental development in the face of global trends in integration. NEPAD seeks, through the African Union, to maximise Africa’s immense potential for accelerated development. NEPAD recognise that with the consolidation of regional and subregional economic groupings elsewhere, collective self-reliance among African countries and economic complementary are the keys to economic emancipation. The key focus areas of the NEPAD strategy for ICTs call for closer regional and sub-regional co-operation particularly for development of infrastructure, information and communications technologies (ICT), transport and utilities. This approach would help African countries in achieving various social and economic goals, which have a direct positive contribution to the NEPAD objectives. Ladies and Gentlemen; given the current trend in the ICT development, we in Africa need to move faster to implement ICTs initiatives including NEPAD if we are to compete as equal partners in the global economy. The founding father of the Tanzanian nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere said during the very early post-independence years and continuously reminded us, and I would like to quote him: “ We must run, while they walk”. End of quote. 40 By the word “they”, Mwalimu meant governments, the people and institutions in the developed countries. Looking at the world today, it is evident that with the current developments in ICT, the governments, institutions and people in developed economies are no longer walking but running. We in Africa need to double or even treble our pace in the global ICT running track. My call to you this morning is, to reflect on how we in Africa, with the support of international organizations like the ITU, can fast track the realization of the ICT goals outlined by NEPAD and, with renewed determination, keep pace in the global development race and hopefully, outrun the leading pack. Ladies and Gentlemen, we all agree that ICTs have a critical and central role in the social and economic development. We in this sector are therefore expected to provide the essential inputs that will accelerate development in the continent. In doing this, we should not spend too much time lamenting our low state of ICT development. Whether or not Africa has fewer internet connections than New York and that there are people in Africa who have never made a telephone call in their lives are currently not the questions that should preoccupy us. There are many sectors in Africa with indicators below the international standards and the best way to redress them is to act; to catch and possibly outrun those who are already ahead of us. I would like to propose three approaches, which could further be considered in your deliberations. The first is to create conditions for implementation of efficient, relevant technologies and related services and affordable ICTs. This calls for policies, which promote investments in the sector both by citizens of our respective countries and other investors. Fiscal policies should also lead to improvement in the purchasing power of the people to enable them to afford ICT related services. Ladies and Gentlemen, investments in ICT infrastructure and services invariably concentrate in urban areas, thus creating another digital divide within our own countries between our urban centres and rural areas. With the exception of few countries, most societies in Africa are ruralbased. In Tanzania, at least 75 per cent of the population live in rural areas. It is important to have policies that promote universal access and investments to reach rural populations for them to effectively contribute in the social and economic development process. The second action involves knowledge creation, development and sharing. This could be gradual process as demonstrated by a rural community in Tanzania at Sengerema on the shores of Lake Victoria where fishermen, peasants and livestock keepers are being trained on how to use the internet at a multipurpose community telecentre. At least 40 of them have e-mail addresses and use the services every month. An impact assessment has not yet been made but we are optimistic that it should be possible for this community to use the internet to obtain timely information about markets, prices for both inputs and produce which would increase their income just as was the case for farmers in Chile. The third action is the creation of workable partnerships for our development. NEPAD talks of a new partnership and this includes combining the efforts of all players in our respective countries. These partnerships should include not only the private sector, but governments (central, municipal and local level), potential users of ICTs i.e ordinary citizens etc. In other words, we have to be innovative and widen our search for partnerships in order to harness all potential sources of investment funds. Partnerships between governments and the private sector have proved to work in a number of countries and Tanzania can readily testify. 41 The development of ICTs in Africa is being supported by more partners. It will be recalled that one of the most important resolutions adopted by the meeting of CEOs of leading companies in the private sector from East and Central Africa held in November 2002 in Nanyuki, the submarine project was overwhelmingly supported. I am pleased that the submarine project, which seeks to link the Indian Ocean African countries, will be discussed during this symposium. At the global level we need to work more closely among ourselves and with international organisations such as the ITU, and others, towards the continent’s development of ICTs. This symposium is an example of efforts to share development vision and forge partnerships that will address the needs and lead to implementation of the much needed ICT infrastructure and services in the framework of NEPAD. We in the communications sector have a stake in ensuring the success of NEPAD. We therefore need to explore ways in which all the leading stakeholders in this sector can make lasting and sustainable partnerships for Africa’s ICT development. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would have liked to be with you for the entire duration of the workshop but I have to depart for the Parliamentary session where a bill on the establishment of a new communications regulatory authority will be tabled, which will now merge the functions of the Tanzania Communications Commission and the Tanzania Broadcasting Commission. I would like to assure you that the new Communications Commission would continue the tradition of cooperating with other continental and international organisations in the promotion of the ideals of NEPAD initiatives. I wish you fruitful deliberations and a continued pleasant stay in Arusha. I thank you once again for participating in this symposium, which I now formally declare open. Thank You. 43 ANNEX 4 CLOSING ADDRESSES 45 CLOSING ADDRESSES Closing Statement by Mr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Director, BDT Hon. Dr. Asha-Rose MIGIRO, Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children Affairs, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, We came, we met, we debated and here we are, readying ourselves to leave this great city of Arusha. During the opening ceremony, one speaker quoted Mr. Bill Clinton as having said: Arusha had become the Geneva of Africa. Well, I think it would be great if Geneva itself could one day become the Arusha of Europe! My heartfelt thanks go to the Government of the Republic of Tanzania, Honorable Minister of Transport and Communications of Tanzania, Professor Mark Mwandosya, Honorable Zubeir Ali Maulid, Minister for Communications and Transport, Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the very warm-hearted people of Arusha. I also want to express my profound appreciation to all the other Ministers who, despite the many demands on their time managed to come and enrich our deliberations and chaired our sessions. It is these torch-bearers who inspire us and re-energize us when we are weary and discouraged. The continent has come of age because, for the people to march in confidence, it is critical that the call for the march be called for by the leadership. Where there is a visionary leadership, success and victory are certain. So, I see no reason why Africa should ever fail. Once more, my sincere appreciation and thanks to: 1. His Excellency, General Routonany Yoma Golom, Minister of Communications of Chad, 2. Hon. Bary Njie Bakary, Minister for Communications of Gambia, 3. The CEO and staff of ZAMTEL, 4. Hon. Sam Nkusi, Minister of State, Energy and Communications, Republic of Rwanda, 5. Hon. Egbenda Pascal, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Sierra Leone 6. Mrs. Bamba Namahoua, representing Jan Mutai, Secretary-General, African Telecommunications Union Let me also express my sincere gratitude to the following, without whom, the comfort and smoothness that we enjoyed would not have been possible: 1. The Director-General and staff of the Tanzania Communications Commission. 2. The Chief Executive Officer and staff of the Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited. 3. The management and staff of the Arusha International Conference Center. 4. The Interpreters who performed even beyond the call of duty. 46 5. Member States, our Sector Members, inter-governmental organizations, regulators, private sector, operators, the banks and the rest of our participants. 6. The Drivers who were always polite and helpful. 7. Finally, let me thank my entire team whose dedication and contribution I always count on. Ladies and gentlemen, Distinguished guests, One of the topics that aroused a lot of interest during our first session was the issue of mainstreaming gender into NEPAD objectives. The very fact that this was slotted in the first session of our symposium is a clear indication that we, in the ITU, are committed to making universal access a reality through our all-inclusive ICT agenda. In my opening remarks on Monday, I informed you that a launch of a gender focused Internet Training Center at the Technical College of Arusha was going to take place during the course of the week. I am happy to inform you that we launched the Center yesterday. Owing to the importance of this initiative, let me say a few more words about it. This project is part of ITU-Cisco Systems’ Internet Training Centers Initiative referred to as ITCI-DC, for short. It serves as a good example of a public-private sector partnership where ITU and Cisco Systems came together. The ITCI-DC has an objective of launching 50 Internet training centers by the end of 2003. The initiative has already been successfully implemented in Angola, Cape Verde, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, while Kenya and Zimbabwe are poised to follow in the first quarter of 2003. Globally, 40 centres have signed on to the initiative, with Arusha being the second center dedicated to women after the University of Makerere in Uganda. The ITCI-DC aims to train a minimum of 50 students per year at each center aiming for a gender ratio of 50:50. Ladies and gentlemen, The initiative I referred above, demonstrates what partnerships can achieve serves as a model for us in our future relationships. We have to mobilize all our resources, we have to fine-tune our programmes, and we have to re-orient our antennas, if we are to make a difference in the continent. In the past two and half days, I was humbled by your penetrating contributions, the analysis and the sincerity shown by all the participants. What became evident was the fact that none of us is too big or too small to make a difference on this continent. In classical economics analysis, economists speak of tendencies and trends in the “long run.” The definition of this term is very simple namely; a long run is a combination of many short runs. How true it is! Let each individual, institution, nation, and region on the African continent realize that it is from the many small contributions that a huge contribution and output may emerge. If small networks join each other, we will indeed have a network of networks. If a carrier joins with others, we will likewise have a carrier of carriers. If domestic policies and legal practices are harmonized, we will no doubt, have a more predictable, transparent and more investment friendly environment. Having said all that, I want to assure you, as I said yesterday, that the output of this Symposium would not end up into the dustbins of history! Your contribution is immensely appreciated and will be fed into the ongoing development oriented initiatives under the African Union. As for us in the BDT, we have a mandate to develop nation states through 47 information and communication technologies. We take this call seriously. Let me assure you that, as we implement the decisions of the World Telecommunications Development Conference of 2002 and those of the Plenipotentiary Conference of the same year, we will find your recommendations invaluable as we implement our Action Plan. Ladies and gentlemen, One important thing I would like to share with you is that, in all our future work, we will be continuously subjecting ourselves to Total Quality Management techniques. We will be monitoring and evaluating ourselves to ensure that we remain responsive to the needs of our membership. It is for this reason that my colleagues and I will find your open, constructive and frank comments critical inputs in our planning and resource allocation process. For us, the time of talking is over; we have entered a DOING phase. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you once again for your devotion to deliver ICTs to the majority of the people. Let us, consult each other; let us, work together; and let our institutions build on each other’s efforts. For, by so doing, Africa may attain its optimal potential and achieve its greatness. In conclusion, in respecting our motto of making the seemingly impossible possible through partnership building, I inform you once more that we will be holding a Partnership Round Table for the Least Developed Countries tomorrow. The registration for this event will take place from 15:00hrs this afternoon. More details will be given to you in due course. For those leaving today, I wish you bon voyage and look forward to meeting you in the not too distant future. I thank you. 49 Address by the Hon. Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, (MP) Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children Honourable Ministers, Your Excellency Hamadoun Toure, Director of Telecommunications Development Bureau, ITU Distinguished delegates Your Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen Let me at the outset take this opportunity to thank you organizers for having selected Arusha as the venue of this symposium. This symposium has deliberated on the strategies to hasten the process of implementing the NEPAD and the achievement of its objectives. May I also express my sincere gratitude to the hosts, the Tanzania Communications Commission for having invited me to officiate at this closing ceremony but not only that, the Commission has involved me in the deliberations of this very important symposium. Thanks! Your Excellencies ladies and Gentlemen, I am informed that in the course of this symposium you have deliberated on the following issues: the role of the information and communications technology (ICT’s) African regional integration and NEPAD Continental and regional infrastructural projects and the Role of stakeholders. These are, indeed, pertinent issues relating to the sustainability and success of NEPAD. I am made to understand that the symposium had the opportunity of being addressed by well seasoned professionals from various fields related to infrastructural development, connectivity, universal access and last, but by no means, gender mainstreaming in information and communications technologies. No wonder you have come up with solid recommendations. The recommendations you have adopted are clearly in line with the goals and aspirations of NEPAD. They in no doubt will be very crucial in complimenting the efforts being made by our governments as well as the peoples of Africa in their bid to catch-up with economic advancement. Ladies and Gentlemen, The New Partnership Africans Development (NEPAD) was adopted by African governments as their commitment to eradicate poverty and place their countries, both individually and collectively, a path to sustainable growth and development. Theirs is a pledge to actively participate in the world economic and political life. 50 Some of the most important goals of NEPAD are: the attainment of an average gross domestic product growth (GDP) of at least seven percent per annum over the next 15 years and the promotion of the role of women in all socio-economic and political activities in our societies. One of the strategies adopted by African leaders in order to achieve these goals is charting out reform and investment priorities in key sectors of our economies such as human resource, infrastructural development, energy, transport and water, as well as the development of ICTs. Ladies and gentlemen, NEPAD was borne out of the realisation that governments acting alone would not have the requisite human and financial resources to attain the desired goals. One of these is surely the establishment of infrastructural and technological capability to facilitate connectivity and universal access which is the cornerstone of socio-economic and political development. In this regard the participation of the private sector will be absolutely essential. But there is also increased realization that an internal-based partnership alone may not generate all the resources that are necessary in order to lay the basic foundation for sustainable development. The essence of NEPAD is the creation of internal as well as external partnership. I have noted with appreciation that in your deliberations you have also dwelt on this issue, thereby contributing positively to the NEPAD strategies. I commend you for that believing that took into account strategies and ideas obtained from other fora. As Minister responsible for Gender, I am delighted to learn that gender equality and specifically women’s empowerment was one of the key issues you deliberated upon. Information is power, as the dictum goes. It follows therefore that, ICT can be a very powerful tool to empower communities and especially women and children who in most cases are marginalised. In this regard I have followed with interest ITU’s commitment to implement the resolution of the World Telecommunications Development Conference held recently in Instanbul to upgrade the Gender Study Task Force to a Study Group. I trust that the Group will rise to the challenge and come up with recommendations on how best gender balance can be realised in the ownership and management of ICT facilities and services in Africa. Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, We all agree that to transform our society into an “information society” remains our long-term goal. However, we need to put in place short-term strategies that are essential in opening up our rural areas and reducing the rural-urban divide on accessibility to telephone services. I am informed that organisations such as the World Space have developed an appropriate technology for mobile telecentres and telekiosks that would increase accessibility to ICT services. Such efforts will no doubt contribute to narrowing the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Africa. I am aware that a telekiosk costs far less than a mortar and brick telecentre. This makes it affordable by small groups of people thereby making it possible for services to be rendered at a reasonable price. I urge governments and members of the private sector to forge a partnership and seize the opportunity provided by such a technology to increase teledensity, which in turn will open up many other social and economic activities, in particular of the marginalized groups in Africa. 51 Ladies and Gentlemen, As I mentioned earlier, infrastructural development is the key objective of NEPAD. However, this requires massive financial investment to develop and facilitate deployment of new technologies. At this juncture I call upon all stakeholders to fulfil their commitment through actions rather than mere resolutions. I have no doubt in my mind that the NEPAD initiatives will succeed, first and foremost because it is an African solution to an African problem (home grown, if you like!) secondly, there is already demonstrated tremendous political will by African leadership and those willing to work with us to make it a success. Finally, with the technological advancements that underpin ICTs, the development process can only go faster! Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to learn that you have agreed among others, to support the following: • Regional integration • Putting in place a mechanism that will reduce equipment costs • Capacity building that will take into account issues relating to gender and the youth, • Optimum use of ICT infrastructure once made available. All these will be pivotal in attaining the objectives you have set out to fulfil and indeed those of NEPAD. Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Before I conclude I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to express our gratitude to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for its contribution to human resource development through African Centres of Excellence, infrastructural development and technical support rendered for the development of ICTs in our individual countries and the region as a whole. Ladies and Gentlemen, You have had a good three-day stay in Arusha, which I believe has been very fruitful. You have come up with very useful recommendations I do hope as you leave Arusha, you will carry with you not only results of this symposium, but also cherishable memories of this hospitable municipality! Please bear with us for any shortcomings that you will have encountered. To all of you I say bon voyage and au revoir. I now have the honour and priviledge to declare this symposium officially closed. I thank you for your attention. 53 ANNEX 5 LIST OF DOCUMENTS 55 LIST OF DOCUMENTS Doc. 1 Doc. 2 Doc. 3 Draft Agenda The Knowledge you need Prof. David P. Mellor, Cable and Wireless Virtual Academy Mr. Casimir Leke Betechuoh, RASCOM Ms. Roxana Dunnette, Worldspace Mr. Michel Ouedraogo, CMTL Mr. Souheil Marine, ALCATEL Mr. Brahima Sanou, ITU/BDT Mr. Brahima Sanou, ITU/BDT Mr. Souheil Marine, ALCATEL Mr. Alexander Ntoko, ITU/BDT Mr. Tai Ogunderu, INMARSAT Mr. John Sihra, ZANTEL Mrs. Asenath Mpatwa, ITU/BDT Dr. Abu Sufian Elkabbashi Daffala, COMESA Dr. Milenko Stojkovic, INTELSAT Mr. Mikko J. Salminen, NOKIA Ms. Asenath Mpatwa, ITU/BDT Ms Remi Aribisala, ECOWAS Mr. Admassu Tadesse, DBSA RASCOM, a cornerstone for implementing NEPAD ICTs objectives Doc. 4 Telecentres to connect Africa, Worldspace experience Doc. 5 CMTL Doc. 6 Re-inventing internet usage Doc. 7 BDT Paper – Assessment of Telecommunication and ICT infrastructure in Africa Addendum BDT Paper – Assessment of Telecommunication to Doc. 7 and ICT infrastructure in Africa Doc. 8 Affordable solutions for universal access Doc. 9 Building trust and confidence in the use of ICT applications Doc. 10 Inmarsat’s appropriate satcoms technologies for Africa Doc. 11 East Africa submarine cable project Doc. 12 Mainstreaming gender into NEPAD objectives Doc. 13 The COMTEL Project Doc. 14 Doc. 15 Doc. 16 Doc. 17 Doc. 18 Doc. 19 Doc. 20 Doc. 21 Inspiring Connections in Africa via Satellite Cost Efficient Methods for Increasing Teledensity The Role of the ITU Role of regional economic organizations Role of Funding Agencies Contribution of the Symposium to meet the objectives of NEPAD Report of the ITU Symposium on African ICT Roadmap to achieve NEPAD objectives Roles of Government and ATU in the implementation of NEPAD ICT objectives Mr. Jan Mutai (Mrs. Namahoua Bamba), ATU 57 ANNEX 6 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 59