Enhancing ICT development and connectivity in Africa Erik Habers Head of Cooperation EU Delegation Nairobi

Background ICT are proven drivers of innovation for sustainable development, since: They allow for a rapid and free flow of information, increasing economic efficiency, ensuring decisions They offer solutions to employment, health, education, protection, environment, governance, commerce... A 10% increase in internet access has been shown to lead to an 1.2% increase in several countries GDP MDG 8: 'In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications' (Plus indirect effect in MDGs 2, 4, 5 and 6)

Challenges Growing Digital Divide: Great disparity among countries Access limited in many parts of Africa Main reasons Low collaboration South-South Intra-African communications often routed through Europe High prices Little competition Lack of political and economic stability and coherent policies hampering private investments

EU Response Strategy Enhance the bilateral policy dialogue Assist to the development of an inclusive information society in Africa Focus on preparing the enabling environment (regulation, interconnections…) for private sector investments (ICT is not a focal sector in EU development policy, but a cross- cutting modality with applications in several other sectors)

EU priorities for ICT development in Africa  1. Harmonisation and alignment of e-communications policies and regulations with EU framework  2. Enabling the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and the regulation of the Digital Dividend 3. Establishment and interconnection of research and education networks and connection to the European network GÉANT 4. Enhancement of ICT capacity building (for ALL, i.e. citizens, governments, private sector etc.)

Objective: Improved regulations promoting fairness, transparency, human rights and freedom of expression Result: A fair and transparent enabling environment, improving ICT access for citizens, business and organisations Priority 1: Harmonisation and aligment of e-communications policies and regulations in developing countries with EU framework

Objective: Creation a new huge market of online applications and services contributing in this way to inclusive growth, employment and sustainable development in Africa Results: Development/convergence of relevant policies and regulations in domains defining the digital dividend regulation/management challenge, like radio spectrum policy and management, cross-border radio frequency management, digital media/broadcasting policy, broadband policy etc. Priority 2: Enabling the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Africa and the regulation of the Digital Dividend.

Objective: Increase in research cooperation and regional computing capacity, generate scientific excellence, bridge the digital divide, reduce 'brain drain', contribute to economic and social well-being Results: Strenghtening of cooperation between research communities. Provide capacity to meet high-volume needs of other not-for-profit sectors. Influence the development of a telecom market and regulatory environment reducing the costs and enabling cross-border traffic Priority 3: Establishment and interconnection of research and education networks and connection to European network GÉANT

Example: AfricaConnect project Establishes a high capacity internet network for research and education in Southern and Eastern Africa Improves connectivity and collaboration within the region and with the rest of the world through the interconnection with the pan-European research network GÉANT Contributes to the development of education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Objective: To reduce the digital divide, through a better understanding of the new technologies, the roll-out of broadband, the deployment of efficient ICT systems adapted to local needs and the promotion of free and open access to the internet Results: Roll-out of broadband connectivity, deployment of efficient and resilient ICT systems and promotion of free and open access to the internet Priority 4: Enhancement of ICT capacity building (for ALL, citizens, governments, private sector etc.)

Increasing engagement Scaling-up of ongoing initiatives Exploiting synergies between the EU Digital Agenda and the AU ICT development frameworks Fostering deployment of innovative e-services to enhance interconnections

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