ABSTRACT
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) increasingly are considered essential components of the ‘new’ paradigm of economic development and growth. There are apocalyptic declarations of the fate that will befall countries that do not develop their ICT capabilities to cope with the challenges of the ‘information revolution’. In the context of Africa, the assumptions within and outside academia are that ICTs present opportunities for African countries to leapfrog from underdevelopment to post-industrialisation. It is not surprising therefore that the development of ICTs, along with other infrastructure such as roads, highways, airports, seaports, railways and waterways, is a key sector priority in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad). One of the central claims of Nepad is that the lack of basic infrastructure has been the bane of African underdevelopment. As a ‘major parameter of economic growth’ the presence of good and functional infrastructure will enable Africa to ‘rise to the level of developed countries in terms of the accumulation of material and human capital’.1 As well, increased availability, affordability, as well as access to communication services will result in higher levels of regional trade and cooperation among African countries, and promote foreign direct investment (FDI).
