1. ICTs, Development and Knowledge: Where are we today?
Raúl Zambrano | Riyadh | Knowledge Economy
24-25 April 2014

2. Contents ICTs: where are we today? What we know today Knowledge and
Development
Way Forward

3. Evolution of ICTs

4. ICT for Development (ICTD): Evolution
Four phases since 1990:
Infrastructure, connectivity and access -1991‏
Content and local capacity building -1996‏
Applications (e-government, e-commerce etc.)
Web 2.0 (social networks, etc.) ‏- 2005
Each phase emerges from and builds upon the previous one

5. Technology Diffusion
ICTs have changed dramatically in the last 20 years
Developing countries can easily adopt and adapt the new technologies...
...but face serious challenges for its massive diffusion

6. ICTs: Digital Divide Reflection of existing socio-economic divides
Assumes ICTs are an end on themselves
Make ICTs just another
“consumers” good
Emphasize potential ICTs
have as a catalyst to tackle
traditional development
gaps

7. ICTs: Efficiency vs. Transformation
ICTs as efficiency tool
cost reductions, scale
economic perspective
ICTs also transform existing processes and create new ways of doing things
qualitative changes
networking
¨The essence of technology is by no means anything technological¨ (Heidegger)

8. The knowledge “effect”

9. How did this happen?

10. Traditional e-government is not delivering
By the end of 2010, over 60 billion USD were invested on e-government
In developing countries, over 60% of e-government projects fail (35% are considered total failures)
Characterized by:
uncoordinated, sectoral interventions
technology focused (usually high-end)‏
supply driven
do not reach citizens/stakeholders

11. Citizen-Centric Approach:
Dual Role of Citizens

12. Open Government

13. Knowledge and Development
History tell us that knowledge dissemination is a catalyst for development
But countries must have the capacities to harness knowledge
New ICTs are facilitating this but are no panacea
Towards and economy of intangible goods?

14. Pillars of a Knowledge Economy
Governments: efficient, responsive, transparent, setting policies and regulatory environment
Human capacity: local human resources with capacity to understand, adopt, adapt and innovate
R&D ecosystem : based on the above, involving key players, driven by innovation
ICT ecosystem: not just infrastructure but also applications, platforms and innovative solutions

15. Role of ICTs Lowers barriers to entry
“Digitizes” tangible goods -not all
Furnishes new solutions to old problems
Transforms process, promotes innovation
But are not an end on themselves!

16. Way forward Policy matters!! Issue goes beyond ICTs
Integration into national development plans
From consumers to producers!
Maximize youth ingenuity, innovation

17. Way forward Invest on strategic R&D/S&T areas
Create/strengthen a cadre of S&T experts
Learn from others
Public private partnerships
Lead by example, foster South South and Triangular cooperation

18. Thank you!
@raulza