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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
The gap between the rich and poor nations and between certain groups within a country is
a result of several factors. One such factor in inequitable access to resources among the
citizenry and lack of technology to exploit the vast natural resources available in most
countries. One fundamental difference between the developed and the developing
countries is that the former are also rich in information and has a well informed citizenry
which is able to adapt quickly to changing social and economic environments, hence
utilizing opportunities to overcome development challenges such as poverty. In this regard,
information is treated as a commodity which has potential to make significant changes in
many aspects of our social and economic development.
ICTs can be used to bridge the digital divide within the context of globalization. The
digital divide presents barriers by denying an opportunity for the people to take best
practices and make them applicable in the possible ways.
Zambia has the opportunity to make a difference by adopting and using ICT as a tool
available to reduce the development divide thereby increasing the chances of improving
the quality of life of the citizens. ICT is an enabler to build an information centered
society where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge
leading to greater productivity, greater competitiveness and sustainable economic growth,
a precondition for poverty reduction. ICTs can also be used as an effective tool in
enhancing good governance.
1.1
GLOBAL AND REGIONAL TRENDS AND COMMITMENTS
The developments in telecommunications and information technologies have improved and
increased the connectivity between and within countries thereby removing barrier of time
and spatial separation. This in turn has resulted in increased integration of markets,
improved commerce and geo-political relations.
At global and regional level, a number of initiatives aimed at increasing the development
and use of ICTs have been developed. The major drivers include the United Nations, the
World Trade Organization, the International Telecommunications Union, the Universal
Postal Union, the African Union and its specialized agencies such as the African
Telecommunications Union, and the Pan African Postal Union, regional economic groupings
such as the New Partnership for Africa s Development, Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa and the Southern Africa Development Community.
Zambia has participated in a number of global and regional events that are focusing on
ICTs as a tool for sustainable growth and development. Among the notable ones being
the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action from the World Summit on the Information
Society and the NEPAD E-Africa Commission. Further the country is committed to the
Millelium Development Goals and it is envisaged that ICTs can be harnessed to the
achievement of these goals namely:i)
Ii)
Iii)
The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger;
Achievement of universal primary education;
Promotion
of
gender
equality
and
empowerment
of
women;
1