For obvious reasons the Mozambican government maintains poverty reduction high on its agenda, acknowledging also the importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The policy focus is enhancing ICT infrastructure and access. Nevertheless, regarding ICT for Development (ICT4D) and its poverty reduction and social inclusion objectives, Brahima Sanou, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) pinpoints in the ITU Report 2011 that future policy action needs to address issues that are related not only to access, but also to price, bandwidth, speed and quality of service, skills, content and language, and applications targeted to low-end users.

The full ICT4D impact will only be felt, however, once people are using the technologies effectively. This includes bringing its benefits also to the less privileged and poor in our society.

In this respect it is important to monitor trends and assess progress. In my last blog entries I wrote about two analytical measurement tools, the ICT for Development Index (IDI) and the Networked Readiness Index (NRI).

http://conmoz.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/WEF-NRI-MOZ-n106-rankings.png

Interestingly, both indexes show that indicators regarding individual capacities, readiness and usage are significantly lower, compared to infrastructure and access related indicators, suggesting that the majority of people lack behind technology in their particular environment.

This brings me back to ICT's growing impact on poverty reduction and according to the ITU Report 2011 on its related promises:

• Mobile interactive communication and innovative mobile applications and services
• Shift from passive consumption of ICT toward one of active use and participation
• Direct income generation and diversified employment opportunities
  • (1) Using ICT in enterprises (relevance to farmers, fishermen, micro/SMEs)
  • (2) Poor are directly involved in the sector (ICT goods and services)
• Mobile money: Big potential from a small handset

To conclude on part 1 (IDI) and part 2 (NRI) and considering the risk of a widening gap and further digital divide, creating ICT capacities among all members of society - with special attention to reach out to the low-end users in their real-life contexts - may deserve a more prominent role in policy action and implementation strategies.

For more information on ICT4D and Mozambique in the African and global context please visit http://www.conmoz.org