State of Information Technology in Africa Nigeria Case Study

1
State of Information Technology in
AfricaNigeria Case Study

• By
• Prof. G.O. Ajayi
• Director General/CEO
• National Information Technology Development
  Agency - NITDA.
• 24 November, 2020.

Information Technology
2

• Introduction
• The State of Information Technology in Africa and
  Nigeria

3
Has 12 of World population, but 2 of Worlds
main telephone lines.

• Africa has the lowest growth in teledensity of
  any developing region in the world.

Average level of income is the lowest, but the
cost of installing telephone line is the highest.
Recent Statistics has it that there are about 3
million Internet users in Africa with only 1
million outside South Africa.
Highest profit per telephone line and long
waiting a period for telephone lines.
Internet connectivity is 0.3 of the world-wide
connectivity.
4
Comparative Distribution of ICT Facilities
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The e-Africa Commission

• E-Africa commission is the structure setup by
  NEPAD for ICT development in Africa.
• ICT covers a wide range of sectors that are
  currently under different administrative
  arrangements at national, regional and
  continental level i.e. infrastructure, content
  and applications such as education and health
• The e-Africa Commission is the only body that
  brings together the different structures in the
  ICT sector under one umbrella (the content and
  Infrastructure institutions and government
  agencies)
• Its Focus Areas are structured in line with the
  G8 DOT Force implementation Teams and UN ICT Task
  Force Working Groups
• It has top African experts and practitioners as
  its Commissioners.

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The e-Africa Commission

• The concept of the Commission was inspired by the
  e-ASEAN Task Force and the e-European Initiative.
• The Commission is structured to be the NEPAD ICT
  Task Team with the responsibility for overseeing
  a well structured and coordinated development of
  the ICT sector in Africa encompassing not only
  infrastructure development but also content,
  services and applications.

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The e-Africa CommissionProjects

• Human Resource Development (ICT in Schools or
  e-schools)
• Infrastructure Development
• e-policies and strategies
• Local Content Development
• Special Programmes (Youth Programmes)
• Public e-awareness.

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SAT-3/WASC/SAFEfibre optics cable system

• This US 638m fibre optic system with the
  potential capacity of up to 120Gbps can transform
  ICT in Africa.
• Nigeria and other African countries have a
  challenge to develop National Backbone
  Infrastructures to ensure the full utilisation of
  this cable system.

9
State of ICT in Nigeria

• Telephone Lines
• Fixed Lines 800, 000 with about 70 operational.
• Mobile Lines Less than 30,000 subscribers before
  the introduction of GSM in Aug. 2001.
• Presently there are about 1.7 million mobile
  subscribers in the country. Combined with about
  600,000 fixed line subscribers, the nation has
  more than 2 million telephone subscribers.
• The license for a 2nd National Operator has been
  awarded to GlobalCom Ltd. The company is planning
  on a massive roll-out of infrastructure in 32
  cities across the nation by next month. GlobalCom
  promises cheaper tariff and better services than
  the existing telephone operators.
• There has been a recent failed attempt at
  privatising NITEL, the incumbent National
  Telecoms Operator.
• NITEL is installing an optical fibre network to
  link the major cities in the country to be
  terminated at the SAT3/WASC/SAFE Landing near
  lagos.
• Installation of an optical fibre network along
  the national power grid will soon take off
• Large number of VSAT operations for Internet
  Services by both the public and the private
  sector.

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State of ICT in Nigeriacontd

• Access to Internet is still limited to the major
  cities and most times through dial-up connection
  from smaller cities at exorbitant rates and very
  unstable service.
• With more than 60million Nigerian living outside
  the major cities, Internet connectivity is a
  major issue that should be given special
  attention in the IT industry.
• Without adequate connections to advanced
  telecommunications infrastructure and services,
  many rural, and suburban communities may not be
  able to fully participate in the emerging
  information economy.
• This is a trend that has to change in the near
  future.

11
Recent efforts made by the Government towards
ICT Development in Nigeria.

• We can rightly say the nation has finally started
  on the path to developing an Information
  Infrastructure base. These are as a result of the
  efforts made by government in recents years and
  these include
• Launched the National telecommunications Policy
  in Sept. 2000.
• Developed a Comprehensive Science and Technology
  Policy (2001).
• National Policy on Information Technology
  developed and Launched (2001)
• Establishment of National Information Technology
  Development Agency (NITDA).
• National Space Research and Development Agency
  (NARSDA) launched a program for the Nigerian
  Satellite System.

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Need for anInformation Technology Policy

• The Federal government has recognized the
  importance of IT as a major key to economic
  growth and sustainability.
• The National IT Policy was approved by the
  Federal Executive Council in March, 2001.
• NITDA is the implementation body of the IT
  policy, setup in April, 2001.

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Nigerian National IT PolicyThe Vision

• To make Nigeria an IT capable country in Africa
  and a key player in the Information Society by
  the year 2005, using IT as the engine for
  sustainable development and global
  competitiveness.
• The Mission is to Use IT for
• Education
• Creation of Wealth
• Poverty Eradication
• Job Creation
• Global Competitiveness

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Sectoral Application of the IT Policy

• Human Resource Development
• Infrastructure
• Governance
• Research and Development
• Health
• Agriculture
• Urban and Rural Development
• Trade and Commerce
• Arts, Culture and Tourism
• National Security and Law Enforcement
• Fiscal Measures

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Implementation Strategy
Institutional Capacity Building
Human Resource Capacity Building
Infrastructure Capacity Building
16

• Developments
• In
• Information Technology

17
NITDAHuman Resource Development

• In accordance with the National IT Policy, NITDA
  has played strategic roles in fostering the
  development of IT human resources in Nigeria.
• NITDA has hosted many consultative forums with
  Stakeholders in Information Technology especially
  in the public sector to enlighten these decision
  makers on the need for IT based economic
  development.
• Been involved in a series of training programmes
  aimed at IT education to the youth, IT
  professionals and the public service
  stakeholders.

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Trainingcontd

• Partnership with CISCO to roll-out local
  academies especially in the Institutions of
  Higher Learning for training of Networking
  Professionals.
• The training has been quite successful at the
  main headquarters in Abuja.
• Partnership with UNDP in the TICAD Initiative.
  NITDA is currently running a training for public
  servants and will soon train Legislatures in the
  Senate and National Assembly in the 2nd phase of
  the project.

19
NITDA ProjectsMobile Internet Units - MIUs

• NITDA will soon be commissioning six Mobile
  Internet Units (MIUs) to carry ICT education and
  awareness to the six geopolitical zones of the
  country.
• These units are buses converted to computer
  laboratory equipped with computer systems,
  printers, scanners, digital cameras, servers and
  other communication infrastructures like the VSAT
  terminals.
• They are designed to double as mobile Telecentres
  and Internet centres.
• The are designed to be used as mobile training
  centres. MUIs will be used to carry information
  on issues like HIV/AIDS to more than 60 million
  Nigerians in the rural areas.
• The MIUs are scheduled for commissioning next
  month.

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NITDA ProjectsPublic Service Information Network
PSNET

• The project is being implemented in phases.
  Phase one has already commenced with the setting
  up of the Presidential Network, which connects
  the Presidency, Vice-Presidents office, SGF,
  Ministers, Chief Economic Adviser, etc. It also
  links up Federal Ministries in the Federal
  Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
• The Phase two of the project has also commenced.
  In this phase, various states are provided with
  intranets with central nodes at the various state
  capitals. Broadband Wireless Access, VSATs and
  optical fibre technologies provide the backbone
  for these networks.
• The Phase three will provide the infrastructure
  at the Local government level.
• Upon completion of these, the network at the
  three levels of government will be integrated and
  this will provide the infrastructure to implement
  the e-government project.

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NITDA Projectse-Government

• Work has already commenced to allow for a
  citizen-centred government through the
  e-government project. The Italian government is
  working with NITDA to deploy an e-government
  solution to Nigeria.
• The goal is to move the various ministries and
  agencies to the position where they no longer see
  themselves as separate and distinct entities but
  as one Government. One that collaborates, shares
  information, and leverages on the collective
  knowledge to provide the public with integrated
  services conveniently, seamlessly,
  continuously, speedily, efficiently and
  effectively.

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Nigeria eGovernment model

• Covers a wide range of application areas
  including but not limited to
• eAdministration (citizen-centred admin, planning)
• eStatistics (strengthening of FOS and other
  relevant government bodies)
• eAccounting, budgeting and management
• eEnterprise (National Data Bank)
• ePopulation (Citizen registry)
• eHealthcare delivery
• Geographic Information System (e.g. Federal
  Survey Dept.)
• eResources (Land and minerals registry, territory
  managments)
• eTaxation and revenue management (On-line
  taxation)

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Nigeria eGovernment model (contd.)

• eJudiciary (Court proceedings database)
• eLegislation (National Assembly online)
• eEducation (GUS, eLearning, Institutions)
• eCustom
• eMilitary
• National Information Infrastructure Backbone
  (NIIB) - Public Service network provides the
  connectivity of the eGovernment

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Other Developments In The IT Sector

• In recent times there has been local assembly of
  branded computers and accessories by Nigerian
  companies, among which are Zinox Technologies
  Ltd. Other indigenous vendors are also planning
  to launch branded computers soon. This is a good
  development that is certain to make it easier for
  Nigerians to own their own computer systems. The
  slogan is that parents should spend their money
  to buy computer rather than purchasing expensive
  stereo systems or other expensive entertainment
  systems.
• This is a good development that is certain to
  make it easier for Nigerians to own their own
  computer systems.
• Companies like Omatek and Unitec have taken
  similar initiatives.

26
ICT Development Efforts in the Ministry of
Education

• The Federal Ministry of Education has made
  significant progress in the planning and
  implementation of the following ICT-driven
  educational programmes/projects
• The National Virtual Library Project.
• Education Management Information System (EMIS)
  Programme.
• The National Open University of Nigeria and
  Distance Learning Programmes.
• Computer in Schools Initiative.
• Nigerian Universities Network
• National Teachers Institute Teacher Training
  Programme by Distance Learning
• The core goals of these efforts is to improve the
  efficiency and quality of the educational
  delivery system at all levels using
  context-relevant ICTs.

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Joining the rest of the worldWorld Summit on
the Information Society (WSIS)

• The World Summit on the Information Society
  (WSIS) is an initiative of the 1998
  Plenipotentiary Conference of International
  Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• It was endorsed by the United Nations General
  Assembly as an effective means to assist the
  United Nations in fulfilling the goals of the
  Millennium Declaration.
• Secretary General Kofi Annan stated, "the
  Millennium Summit recognized the key role of
  partnerships involving governments, bilateral and
  multilateral development agencies, the private
  sector and other stakeholders in putting ICTs in
  the service of development."

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Objectives of the WSIS

• Provide a global platform to energize and educate
  the world community on the emerging issues of the
  Information Society and solutions to bridge the
  digital divide
• Develop a universal Declaration of Principles and
  a global Plan of Action for implementation by
  governments, UN family, international/regional
  organizations, private sector, NGOs and civil
  society
• Generate a catalytic effect for future actions by
  key players

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Conference for the World Summit on the
Information Society Bamako 2002

• The themes of the Conference workshops were
  adopted by as follows
• What Africa brings to the Information Society
  its values, its knowledge, its stakeholders.
  References of the Information Society, content
  creation, needs and usage.
• What the Information Society brings to Africa
  national and sectoral ICT strategies, access to
  rural areas, sectoral applications, regional and
  sub-regional cooperation, etc.
• What Africa wants to preserve in the Information
  Society its cultural diversity, its languages,
  its creativity, legal issues, etc.
• How Africa would benefit from the Information
  Society technical conditions to access,
  infrastructure, software and digital divide, etc

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Expected Outcomes

• Provide a global platform to energize and educate
  the world community on the emerging issues of the
  Information Society and solutions to bridge the
  digital divide
• Develop a universal Declaration of Principles and
  a global Plan of Action for implementation by
  governments, UN family, international/regional
  organizations, private sector, NGOs and civil
  society
• Generate a catalytic effect for future actions by
  key players

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The Preparatory Process
   
 
 
 

• Executive Secretariat
• Government staff
• UN Agencies staff
• Private Sector staff
• NGOs Civil Society
• staff

Host Country Secretariat
World Summit Tunis 2005
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Prepcom 1 (Geneva)
1-5 July 2002
2nd half 2002
Prepcom 2 (Geneva)
spring 2003
Prepcom 3 (Geneva)
fall 2003
World Summit Geneva 2003
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Purpose of Prep Meetings

• Prepcoms
• who should attend WSIS
• procedures for conducting the Summits
• define administrative requirements details
• Regional Meetings (3-5 high level)
• define regional themes and priorities
• define content
• identify regional positions on issues if possible

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Latest Developments -Regional Preparatory
Meetings

• Ministerial level
• Africa Bamako, Mali, 28-30 May 2002
• Asia Tokyo, Japan, January 2003 ??
• Europe invitation from Romania
• Thematic Meeting
• Africa Dakar, Senegal, 7-9 April 2002
• Asia ??

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Conclusion and Recommendation

• Africa is a continent plagued by low
  infrastructural facilities and development in
  Information Technology
• But with recent developments, increasing
  teledensity, increased deployments of terrestrial
  ICT facilities like that VSATs, the continent is
  gradually making progress towards becoming an
  e-society.
• With the efforts of regional bodies like the
  NEPAD e-African Commission, G8 ICT Task Force and
  the UN ICT Task Force and many National and
  Regional ICT Initiatives, African Nations are
  bound to leapfrog to become players in the global
  Information Society.
• We advocate coordinated efforts especially in the
  area of ICT development to avoid unnecessary
  duplication and wasting of resources.
• If Nigeria can achieve a teledensity of 2 from
  0.5 in just 18 months with the Introduction of
  GSM, then Africa has the potentials to move from
  technological infantry to adolescence in no time.
• There is still the need for a concerted
  international effort to develop appropriate ICT
  infrastructure in HEIs in Africa.

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Thank you.

• Prof. G.O. Ajayi
• Director General/CEO
• National Information Technology Development
  Agency
• (NITDA)
• Plot 695 Port-Harcourt Crescent
• Area 11, Garki,
• Abuja-Nigeria
• E-mail gajayi_at_nitda.org, gajayi_at_yahoo.com
• Website www.nitda.org