1. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges By Eng. George Mulamula UNESCO IFAP Special Event, Paris, 27 th February 2013 I NFORMATION T HROUGH ICT S F OR D EVELOPMENT IN A FRICA C OMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RWANDA & TANZANIA

2. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges INTRODUCTION ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK (Rwanda & Tanzania) INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO SUSTAIN ICT POLICY ROLL-OUT (Rwanda & Tanzania) CHALLENGES (Rwanda & Tanzania) CONCLUSION PRESENTATION

3. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Policy makers beginning to understand: ICT is a tool and an enabler This presentation - comparative ICT policy formulation analysis of experiences in both Rwanda and Tanzania INTRODUCTION

4. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Rwanda located a few degrees south of the Equator bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, densely populated 1994 civil war and genocide decimated the country Biggest challenge - reconcile the people of Rwanda, build unity and grow the economy Developed Vision 2020 INTRODUCTION…

5. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Tanzania is bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and the Indian Ocean along the eastern coast, twice the size of Rwanda Biggest challenge - reducing poverty & grow the econmoy Developed Vision 2025 INTRODUCTION

6. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Team of experts in project planning, software and hardware, telecommunications, and economist. Involved all stakeholders, had strategic implementation plans, and associated costs NICI 1 st Phase: (2001 – 2005) - period for advocacy on computer usage and benefits. Top down approach (e.g. computer literacy, laptop dissemination, cabinet usage) Result - greater efficiency, catalyst for better governance RWANDA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

7. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges NICI 2 nd Phase (2006-2010) - centered on strengthening this new economic base Emphasis - development of key ICT infrastructure and provision of certain services (e.g. backbone, wibro, e-soko, eGov, video-conferencing, ICDL) Result - faster exchange of information, savings on time, money and resource wastage reduction RWANDA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK…

8. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges NICI 3 rd Phase (2011-2015) - seeks to sustain the development and compete in the global market for information-based services and products Emphasis - ICT skills development, private sector development, ICT for community development, e- Government and cyber security NICI 4 th Phase (2016-2020) - will build on previous phases to implement new processes that can bring Rwanda to be a knowledgeable society and have a middle-income status & achieve Vision 2020 RWANDA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK…

9. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Used ICT experts only in eThink-Tank and a ICT local Consultant. Created a National ICT Organisation (“NICTO”) as a Forum and focal point, on a public – private partnership. Objective – improve efficiency and productivity, contribute to the reduction of poverty, improve the quality of life of Tanzanians Result - National Information Communication Technology Policy (NICTP) playing a facilitative role within the production sector TANZANIA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

10. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges 2003 - Ministry of Communication & Transport got the NICTP approved by cabinet and parliament Next phase - sector by sector development of an integrated implementation strategy This phase never materialized mainly due to lack of strategic implementation plans and no coordinated activities and ownership for M&E Result - ICT activities done in a “silo” manner by NGOs, public and private sector (e.g., mHealth, eAgriculture) TANZANIA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK…

11. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Way forward: Review of ICT Policy with technical assistance of UN ECA and support from the Government of Finland Learning from best practices, the MCST will have a team of ICT experts & sector experts to write up the policy and implementation plan Stakeholder involvement - their plans incorporated in the strategic implementation plan TANZANIA’S ICT POLICY IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK…

12. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges GoR set up the National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA), now part of RDB NITC membership – key Cabinet Ministers, private & public sector, led by the President Responsibilities of NITC: – coordinating the development of Rwanda's ICT Policy, Strategies and Plans & supervise RITA – RITA Agency to do M&E with milestones & KPIs. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO SUSTAIN ICT POLICY ROLL-OUT

13. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges In 2003, GoT established the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) as the statutory regulatory body responsible for regulating the communications and broadcasting sectors in Tanzania TCRA developed the Telecommunications Bill, touches on ICT, but vacuum in the ICT policy implementation sector INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO SUSTAIN ICT POLICY ROLL-OUT…

14. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges In 2011, the GoT through the Commission for Science & Technology (COSTECH) created an ICT Incubation Centre called Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) on a PPP basis that supports ICT Start- ups & SMEs. Objective – with ICT information to: – develop open data portal of information and through ICT to improve G2C, G2B and B2C services by creating citizen-centric applications (mobile & web) with feedback – assist entrepreneurs & innovators develop bankable ideas and enterprises to be job creators – assist in skills development and capacity building – overcome the “valley of death” syndrome INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO SUSTAIN ICT POLICY ROLL-OUT…

15. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges In 2012, MCST got Parliament approval to set up a National ICT Board (NICTB) that will: – coordinate all ICT activities in the country – monitor and evaluate ICT initiatives – provide strategic guidance for effective ICT INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK TO SUSTAIN ICT POLICY ROLL-OUT…

16. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Capacity and skills gaps -private sector and Government The mountainous terrain makes ICT infrastructure roll out difficult Funding Stimulating private sector entrepreneurship RWANDA CHALLENGES

17. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges “Will” to change and implement (system & national good) Spurring innovation & commercializing R&D results Funding Competition for resources among ministries, departments and agencies TANZANIA CHALLENGES…

18. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Rwanda - implementing programmes in a smaller country makes it easier, but “weighed” down by the high population density and mountainous terrain. Tanzania – with “silo” mentality, to have complementary synergy will require perseverance to stay the course CONCLUSION

19. IFAP Special Event: Information and Knowledge for All, Emerging Trends and Challenges Correct ICT policies and strategies that are citizen- centric with feedback mechanisms Leadership and vision – crucial in attaining the socio- economic goals of developing our countries Commend UNESCO for its role in Harnessing Information Technology for Development in Africa CONCLUSION…

20. 20 Eng. George Mulamula - COSTECH/DTBi