1. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide The African Region Report Adrian Schofield President, Information Industry South Africa

2. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide Introduction to regional problems Chronic instability, bad reputationChronic instability, bad reputation Disease and conflictDisease and conflict CorruptionCorruption Dependence on commodity exportsDependence on commodity exports

3. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide The brighter side Energy resourcesEnergy resources Trade accessTrade access AGOA and Everything But ArmsAGOA and Everything But Arms Debt reliefDebt relief

4. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide Regional Highlights Southern Africa: stable SA and Mozambique; danger in Zimbabwe, Angola and DRCSouthern Africa: stable SA and Mozambique; danger in Zimbabwe, Angola and DRC East Africa: Kenya? Ethiopia, TanzaniaEast Africa: Kenya? Ethiopia, Tanzania West Africa: Nigeria growth with pains, Ghana stable, others “iffy”West Africa: Nigeria growth with pains, Ghana stable, others “iffy” North Africa: gas to Europe, tourists from Europe, uncertaintyNorth Africa: gas to Europe, tourists from Europe, uncertainty Central Africa: pick a fight – any fight!Central Africa: pick a fight – any fight!

5. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide The Digital Divide Country PCs connected to Internet People using Internet People using Cell Phones Cost of 20 hrs Internet access South Africa 7%5.5%20%$12.5 Zimbabwe1.4%0.2%2.5%$23 Nigeria0.01%0.09%0.02%$40.7 Mauritius0.75%7.5%10.5%$15.5 Australia18%44%44.5%$18.85

6. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide The Next Big Thing Open Source SoftwareOpen Source Software –Cost effective –Schools and businesses –Leapfrog skills –Support of regional initiatives

7. February 26, 2002WITSA General Assembly, Adelaide Africa – the Key Issues Political stabilityPolitical stability Economic stabilityEconomic stability Access to financial & intellectual capitalAccess to financial & intellectual capital Educational capacity, research & innovation facilitationEducational capacity, research & innovation facilitation Power & communications infrastructurePower & communications infrastructure