INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROWTH IN ETHIOPIA

The 1960's witnessed the advent of informationinformation gathering and distribution for better
technology in Ethiopia, when the mainframeplanning • Enhanced national cohesion and
computers were introduced for the first time inintegration of heterogeneous social composition or
Africa. Despite being installed in the important sectorsgeographical dispersal Core ICT Application Areas for
of military, defense, finance, telecom, electricityDevelopment in Ethiopia To attain the benefits
& power, and railways, the mainframes had nomentioned above, Ethiopia should define areas of
interactive boundaries within the sector. Later,outmost strategic importance that should be put in
microcomputers spread widely in the country eitherplace for continued economic development. This
by direct purchase or through donor development aid.would include those areas that: • Promote
Like its predecessor, the initial use of microcomputersfood security (food chain information systems,
was characterized by inadequate literacy and patchyagricultural information systems and networks, etc.)
understanding of the technology by potential users. A• Help in overall poverty reduction enhancing
centralized approach to building information andquality and quantity of education and health (basic
communication technologies in Ethiopia was firsteducation and health care information systems,
proposed by donor agencies such as UNESCO andtelemedicine and healthcare networks) •
IDRC as soon as microcomputers were introduced toBuild the necessary human capital (school, university
the county. In 1986 national computing andand research networks) • Facilitate general
information center was also established. However,economic activity (statistical information systems,
the intended goals were not realized by the centregeographic information systems, judicial and
due to high control by the military government of theadministration systems such as inland revenue,
time, inadequate resources, high turnover, shortagemunicipalities activities, land registry information
of skilled manpower and insufficient knowledge ofsystems and networks) • Improve financial
information technology by decision makers. After themarket and the development of private sector
change of government in 1991 the efforts were(property, land and business registry systems and
resumed with regard to promoting the awarenessnetworks, payment clearance and financial institutions
and growth of computers. A survey carried out inoversight systems); • Improve trade and
response to a study on national informatics policy inglobal competitiveness (trade information systems,
Ethiopia in 1993 covering 81 major institutions reportscustoms and clearance systems, business promotion
1550 microcomputers, 38 mini computers and 8information systems and networks) •
mainframe computers. 25% of these machines wereImprove the delivery of infrastructure and social
owned by international organizations and aid agencies.services (transport, communication, utilities
By the end of 1998, extensive growth in computersmanagement information systems and networks)
in business, academic institutions and households were• Support the management of
seen raising the figure to an estimated 15,000macroeconomic planning and project implementation
microcomputers. Awareness of the effect ofat national level (planning, budgeting, monitoring, tax
information technology has been growing amongadministration, expenditure management system both
users in the field of research, those working forat national and federal states level). • Assist
international organizations and those in business. All ofin the preservation of the environment (regional
which has encouraged the IT sector in the country -planning, environment monitoring, early warning
proliferation of private companies that provide valueinformation systems, etc.) • Encourage the
added services in information technology, trainingtourism sector (promotional and cultural information
centers and the establishment of a computer sciencesystems) and • Provide conditions for
unit at Addis Ababa University, efforts towardspopular participation (community centers, information
standardizing Ethiopic software, etc. Public access linkssystems between various regions). Recommendations
were introduced in 1990 and the first InternetEthiopia should develop a National Information
connection was established by the EthiopianInfrastructure (NII) plan that covers the above
Telecommunications Corporations (ETC) in Octobermentioned areas of strategic information systems
1996 with a T1 connection to the United States.and networks backed by efficient telecommunication
Currently there are over 2500 Internet users but thenetworks and people that implement it. The NII plan
quality of service leaves much to be desired. Recentshould encompass connectivity (built on robust and
move of the government towards increasing thelow cost technology), content (mainly strategic
bandwidth to 1Mb line, privatization of energy andinformation systems), infrastructure (human, energy,
telecommunication sector could open furthertelecommunications, and social) and enabling policy for
opportunities for growth in information andprivate sector investment and participation. Ethiopia
communication sector. However, surveys show asshould not leave ICT as sector for commercial
much as 83% of the capacity of a PC is ofteninterest or free market and privatization as such but
underutilized and the quality of services offered israther regard them as part of the general public
often poor. Challenges to the Growth of Informationinterest, participation, use and debate. With the
Technology in Ethiopia Full adaptation of thegrowing population pressures, the policy on rural
technology has been difficult due to: § Lack ofeconomic development requires considerable
national guidelines and consistent information andinvestment and attention to ICT to achieve
communication policy § Lack of academicsustainable growth in the long term. The application
institutions that act as sources of well-groundedof information and communication technology does
study in information technology § Non-existentnot just encompass technology - hardware, radios,
computer literacy in primary and secondary educationcomputers, telephones and software and the content
§ A weak education infrastructure §or data, but also needs organization, incentives,
Shortage of skilled human resources and computingprocedures and people The ability to participate in
infrastructure colleges and universities § Theinformation and communication technologies requires
School of Information Studies for Africa (SISA) thatparticipation, partnership, understanding of social
was to become a center of excellence in newimplication of new technologies and management of
techniques of information systems development forchanges at national level. Furthermore,
Africa has limited intake of students - degrees fordemocratization of access to ICT to the 90 percent
less than fifteen African students per- due to itsof rural and sub-urban disadvantaged communities is
heavy reliance on donor funding and lack of vision.also crucial. But it requires considerable resources.
§ Shortage of programmers in custom and newSome of the key steps for democratization of
systems development § Poor quality of internetaccess to ICT that remain as a principle to Acacia
services § A restrictive information seekinginitiative and crucial for Ethiopia include: •
culture § Limited access to software and trainingPromoting applications and services that respond to
materials § Diverse local languages, scripts andcommunities' needs (e.g. enhancing the delivery of
dialects in Ethiopia - user friendly interface in the localeducation, distribution of health and agricultural
languages for on-line connectivity is needed ininformation, and other applications) •
promoting information sharing and developing aFostering it and telecom policies which are hospitable
successful national network in Ethiopia The Role ofto ICT access in rural and small town communities
International Organizations and Development Aid(e.g. changes in pricing policies, regulatory
Agencies The international organizations and aidframeworks, the delivery of public information, and
agencies have played a significant role in informationpromotion of universal service/universal access);
technology diffusion in the country. Their existence• Supporting human capacity and innovative
has helped create opportunities for demonstrationsinfrastructure that extends communication networks
of key information technology, transfer of ideas,to rural and small town communities (e.g. radio,
sponsoring structural development projects and asatellite, cellular phone-computer linkages); •
potential market segment for emerging small andEncouraging the development of tools and
medium enterprises in the field. The number oftechnologies that facilitate ICT use by the
international organizations recognizing the importancemarginalized groups including the disabled and illiterate
of information technology for the development of(e.g. graphic, touch-screen or language interfaces);
local capacity has been increasing. Potential Benefitsand, • Developing, organizing and
of Information Technology in Ethiopia •dissemination of content in structured and
Efficient communications for manufacturing, servicenon-structured format through a variety of media to
and tourism sector • Fast response tobe accessed and advanced by communities. Besides
natural disasters and effective rural health and familymeeting the general needs of the rural areas the
planning services • Effective governance andNational Information Infrastructure should take overall
administrative effectiveness • Efficientnational strategy for development into consideration.
education, research and communication of researchThe NII plan should also be built on existent tools and
results • Access to global market andinfrastructure that underpin the current economic
research information • Employmentactivity and new tools and technologies that must be
opportunities for small and medium enterprisesput in place to sustain emerging economic activity.
• Effective and enhanced data and