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{{Short description|Donation of technology to developing areas}}
'''Computer technology for developing areas''' is a field focused on using technology to improve the quality of life and support economic development in regions with limited access to resources and infrastructure. This area of research seeks to address the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not, and the resulting inequalities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
'''Computer technology for developing areas''' is often through the donation of [[Non-profit technology|technology]] to developing areas. Many institutions, government, charitable, and for-profit organizations require technology development often involving hardware or software design, and the coordination of donors, distributors, and deployers. Technical development overlaps with the fields of technical training, maintenance and support.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |title=Refurbished Computers in SchoolNet South Africa — a Comparative Study |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308130513/http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |archive-date=2010-03-08 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref>▼
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==Opportunity==
{{See also|Global digital divide|Digital divide|Global Internet usage}}
Developing countries lag behind other nations in terms of ready access to the internet, though computer access has started to bridge that gap. Access to computers, or to broadband access, remains rare for half of the world's population. For example, as of 2010, on average of only one in 130 people in Africa had a computer<ref>[
Local networks can provide significant access to software and information even without utilizing an internet connection, for example through use of the [[Wikipedia]] CD
===Focusing on Africa===
====Exploring the introduction of computer technology in Africa====
Africa presents a unique cultural climate for the introduction of computer technology not only because of its diverse population, varied geography and multifaceted issues but also because of it singular challenges. Africa is composed of 53 countries many gaining independence since 1950 containing 75 unique ethnic groups and approximately 700 million people. It has been colonized and hence influenced strongly by Europeans from France, Portugal, Britain, Spain, Italy and Belgium except for the countries of Ethiopia and Liberia. Martin & O'Meara<ref name=martin>{{cite book|author1=Martin, P. |author2=O'Meara, P.|title=Aftrica|year=1995|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> describe Africa's diversity and some of the issues that it presents: ethnicity, geography, rural/urban life styles, family life (class levels), access to developed world products, education, and media.
Despite this somewhat overwhelming diversity in Africa, the need for [[self-determination]] by Africans as fought for example by the Nigerian's five Ogoni clans during the 1990s over oil rights is paramount. The "bare necessities of life – water, electricity, roads, education and a right to self-determination so that we can be responsible for our resources and our environment"<ref name=meredith>{{cite book|last=Meredith|first=M.|title=The Fate of Africa|url=https://archive.org/details/fateofafricafrom00mere|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Public Affairs|___location=New York|isbn=9781586482466}}</ref> must be respected. Technology such as computers is considered by some to be important in obtaining such self-determination for Africa especially in the area of education. While it has already had an extreme boost through the independence of many of the African countries, more education can lead to water, electricity, roads and more self-determination. Bill Clinton supports the use of technology in education stating, "[s]o, I think that the potential of information technology to empower individuals, promote growth, reduce inequality, increase government capacity, and make citizen interaction with government work better is enormous"<ref name=Clinton>{{cite web|last=Clinton|first=Bill|title=Remarks by Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation, and Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States, Microsoft Leaders Forum Africa 2006|url=https://news.microsoft.com/speeches/bill-gates-microsoft-government-leaders-forum-africa-2006/|access-date=11 July 2006}}</ref> And at the same forum, Bill Gates further states, "Out of 6 billion people, somewhat less than 1 billion are using this technology. ... Part of how to do that is by having community access, getting it into schools and libraries, and many of the projects we've done, both here in Africa and around the world have that theme that, although it won't be in the home at first, it will be accessible."<ref name=Clinton /> Africa is a diverse continent comprising 53 countries with over 75 ethnic groups and a population of approximately 1.3 billion people. The continent has a wide range of geographical features, including deserts, savannas, mountains, and forests. While Africa has seen significant progress in various sectors since gaining independence from European colonial powers, it continues to face multifaceted challenges, including poverty, disease, conflict, and underdevelopment. The continent's education system is also plagued with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and a shortage of qualified teachers. These factors have contributed to low literacy rates in many African countries. Despite these challenges, technology has been identified as a potential tool for addressing some of Africa's development issues. The use of computer technology in Africa has been mainly focused on education, health, agriculture, and e-commerce. However, there are challenges to introducing computer technology in Africa, including limited infrastructure, lack of electricity, and high costs. To overcome these challenges, various initiatives have been undertaken, such as providing community access to technology, and creating partnerships with governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Despite these initiatives, the adoption of computer technology in Africa remains uneven, with many areas still lacking access to computers and the Internet. Nonetheless, the continent's commitment to embracing technology has led to the development of innovative solutions, such as mobile money and e-learning platforms, that have the potential to transform Africa's economy and society.
====South Africa and the Smart Cape Access Project====
South Africa has one of the largest and most successful introductions of computers to the residents in Africa with the Smart Cape Access Project initiated in 2000 in Cape Town winning the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award in 2003 (Valentine, 2004. The project piloted 36 computers in six public libraries in disadvantages areas of Cape Town in 2002 with four computers designated for public use for each library. Libraries had the important structure with security, electricity and telephone connections, and known access by the public. Cape Town City Council sought information from librarians to build their project realizing that free Internet access was critical to the projects success including training, a user guide, help desk support and feedback loop. They anticipated that Internet access would "create much-needed jobs for citizens, but ... it can empower people to market themselves, start their own businesses, or gain access to useful information".<ref name=valentine>{{cite journal|last=Valentine|first=S.|title=E-powering the people: South Africa's Smart Cape Access Project|journal=Council on Library and Information Resources|date=March 2004}}</ref> Funding for the project relied on donations and partnerships from private organizations with extensive volunteer help in accessing open-source software that is available from licensed vendors or free on the Internet. While the project has been plagued by slow Internet speeds, long lines of waiting users, hacking and budgets, the demand for more computers remains high. Residents have used Internet access to build their own businesses using Smart Cape for administration, to obtain jobs sometimes
With the first phase of the project completed in 2005 and the second phase consisting of monitoring and evaluation of pilot sites just completed in 2007, the roll out of the final phase of the project is underway.<ref name=tshabalala>{{cite web|last=Tshabalala|first=R.|title=Cape Access Project|url=http://capegateway.gov
====Africa and other less successful projects====
Unlike the Smart Cape Access Project, many other projects that attempt to introduce computers to Africa fail not only in the sustainability issue but also in training, support and feedback. Although in many cases access to the Internet via cable or wireless and electricity remain overwhelming issues. Less than one percent of Africans access broadband and only four percent use the Internet according to the BGBC in an article about Intel backing wireless access in Africa.<ref name=intel>{{cite
Kenya provides an example pursuing the use of fiber optic cable to connect to the Internet thus being able to lower access costs from $7,500 a satellite-delivered megabyte to $400 from present levels. The Alcatel-Lucent project started at the end of 2007 (two year delivery date) and will piggyback on the expansion of electricity to many rural villages providing Internet access. It will also provide speed that is currently lacking with the satellite connection.<ref>{{cite
Freeplay Foundation has attempted to address the issue of electricity by first developing battery powered lights for rural areas of Africa piloting a project also in Kenya in 2008."The World Bank estimates that more than 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity supplies that could be used to light their homes" or power computers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wind-up lights for African homes|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk|accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref> Freeplay has also provided a distribution system through women that will provide income in selling, repair and maintenance for customers and is prototyping in Kenya early in 2008. While purchasing the lights may pose a sustainability issue, such inventions could be hopefully tapped for future powering of computers in Africa.
An example of further difficulties surrounding introducing computers in Africa is found in the study of Mozambique one of the poorest nations of the world with 60 percent of its population below the poverty line.<ref>
Cameroon was the recipient of the School of Engineering and Applied Science communication technology through a student volunteer organization. Computers were obtained, shipped, refurbished and integrated with teaching computer skills to residents. A recipient was the Presbyterian Teachers Training College which interacts with primary and secondary schools. However, no maintenance or support procedures and facilities were available as part of this effort and information on the continued value of the project are unavailable.<ref name=Yoon>{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=H.|title=In Cameroon, computer skills put to use|url=http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com|accessdate=5 December 2008}}</ref> Similarly but on a larger scale, Computer Aid, a British charity, has shipped over 30,000 PCs to 87 developing companies and is currently shipping at a rate of 1,000 a month. While it refurbishes donated computers before shipping, it appears to have not follow up to the placement of computers. However, Rwanda seems to be eager to have these computers and is providing a government sponsored Information and Communication Technology policy with access to computers through schools, community and health projects.<ref name=coates>{{cite web|last=Coates|first=R.|title=Computer aid to triple PC delivery in Rwanda|url=http://management.silicon.com/itdirector|access-date=2013-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018081335/http://management.silicon.com/itdirector/|archive-date=2009-10-18|
While all of these projects are admirable, successful introduction of computers to Africa necessitates more of the United Nations' Millennium Development goals approach which has been agreed to by countries and leading development institutions around the world to promote a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling many problems in developing countries ("Microsoft technology, partnerships", 2006). However, by 2008 Bill Gates had changed his perspective on technology solving problems in Africa stating, "I mean, do people have a clear view of what it means to live on $1 a day? ... He openly dismisses the notion that the world's poorest people constitute a significant market for high-tech products anytime soon. ...the world's poorest two billion people desperately need health care right now, not laptops".<ref name=Verhovek>{{cite
====Martin Fisher: a possible business plan====
Martin Fisher started [[KickStart International]] with Nick Moon in 1991 as a "non-profit organization that develops and markets new technologies for use in Africa".<ref name=ogando>{{cite news|last=Ogando|first=J.|title=Engineer of the year finalist: Martin Fisher|url=http://nextbillion.net/news/engineer-of-the-year-finalist-martin-fisher/|date=September 27, 2007|newspaper=Design News}}</ref> It develops technologies advocating understanding the cultural factors surrounding making money in Africa rather than an approach of giving away technology with expertise that has little to do with Africa's ability to make a living. Moon and Fisher believe that "the poor people don't need handouts, they need concrete opportunities to use their skills and initiative".<ref name=heroes>{{cite web|title=Meet the new heroes: Nick Moon & Martin Fisher|website=[[PBS]]|url=https://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050728133707/http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/meet/moon.html|archive-date=July 28, 2005}}</ref> Fisher further states that "our approach is to design, market, and sell simple tools that poor entrepreneurs buy and use to create profitable new small businesses and earn a decent income".<ref name=case>{{cite web|last=Case|first=J.|title=Martin Fisher|url=http://www.casefoundation.org|accessdate=5 December 2008}}</ref> He also stresses the need to build tools that can be supported in Africa using limited materials and assembly methods. They have designed and marketed a number of tools focusing on farming in African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Mali because 80 percent of the poor are farmers having only two assets: land and the skill of farming. For example, KickStart had created a Hip Pump selling for $34.00 allowing a farmer to use the motion of her or his hips against a lever as a drive mechanism. The pump is capable of lifting water from six meters below the ground to 13 meters above it to allow a farmer to irrigate about three-quarters of an acre in eight hours. Other technologies have included pressing oil seeds, making building blocks from compacted soil, baling hay and producing a latrine cover. These technologies are being mass-produced in Africa. The company has successfully sold over 63,000 pumps (Perlin, 2006) and estimates that 42,000 new micro-enterprises have been started using KickStart equipment such as this pump generating more than 42 million US dollars per year in new profits and wages. Fisher and Moon further estimate that they have helped 200,000 people escape from poverty. They have been successful in Africa because they have focused on:
1. Understanding the culture and environment.
2. Providing income producing tools to create new wealth.
3. Building tools that can be supported in the environment.
While KickStart has not talked something as technically challenging as computers, its business plan can be easily adapted to the introduction of computers in Africa. For example, the Smart Cape Access Project has shown widespread success understanding the culture and environment of Cape Town, but still is concerned about sustainability and use by women. Most notable, the project needs to consider how access to the Internet can provide income producing tools to create new wealth and pursue a better maintenance plan. Also of importance is inclusion of women and girls' positive impact in the roll out of technologies for the eventual introduction of computers to Africa.
Although KickStart has not yet addressed the technical challenges of introducing computers to Africa, their business plan can be readily adapted to this goal. The Smart Cape Access Project in Cape Town is a notable success, demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and environment, but it also raises concerns about sustainability and female engagement. It is crucial to consider how access to the internet can offer income-generating tools, create new wealth, and improve maintenance plans. Moreover, promoting the involvement of women and girls will have a positive impact on the rollout of technology and the eventual introduction of computers to Africa.
==Sources of hardware==
===Inexpensive new computers initiatives===
Initiatives such as the [[One Laptop per Child|OLPC computer]] and [[Sakshat|Sakshat Tablet]] are intended to provide rugged technology at a price affordable for mass deployments. The [[World Bank]] surveyed the available ICT (
===Electronic waste statistics Press Release===
{{Main|
====Unep, NEMA and Uganda Cleaner Production Centre====
Uganda typically has both repair and refurbishers of computers. In some countries [[Charitable organization|charitable NPOs]] can give [[Donation|tax-deductible donation receipts]] for computers they're able to refurbish or otherwise reuse. Increased use of technology especially in ICT, low initial cost, and unplanned obsolescence of electrical and electronic equipment has led to an e-waste generation problem for Uganda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ewasteguide.info/Wasswa_2008_UCPC-Empa |title=e-Waste assessment in Uganda: A situational analysis of e-waste management and generation with special emphasis on personal computers |publisher=ewasteguide.info |access-date=2011-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115113850/http://ewasteguide.info/Wasswa_2008_UCPC-Empa |archive-date=2011-11-15 |
However, as a result of the ban of used electronics, the accumulation of e-waste from 2010 to 2011 has reduced by a percentage of 40%
An e-learning strategy is being developed consultatively involving various stakeholders in the environment sector which yet Uganda has no e-waste recycler with capacity to cab down the problem of accumulation of e-waste.
List of Charitable organisations
* multi-national – Digital Partnership<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.digitalpartnership.org/
* multi-national – InterConnection<ref>[http://www.interconnection.org website]</ref>
* multi-national – Non-Profit Computing, Inc.<ref>[http://www.click-aid.org/ website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627081023/http://www.click-aid.org/ |date=2011-06-27 }}</ref><ref>
* multi-national – [[University of the People#World Computer Exchange|World Computer Exchange]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-12-09|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=University of the People#World Computer Exchange|reason= The anchor (World Computer Exchange) [[Special:Diff/614556487|has been deleted]].}}<ref>[http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/ World Computer Exchange home page]</ref>
* Ireland – [[Camara (charity)|Camara]]
* Japan – [[Kyoto Computer Gakuin#International Development of Computer Education Program (IDCE): KCG Group's current global outreach program|IDCE]]
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** [[Computer Aid International]]
** Digital Links International
* UK – IT Schools Africa<ref>
* US (some multi-national) – [[TechSoup|TechSoup Global]]
==Problems encountered==
Technology leaders like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates argue that developing areas have more pressing needs than computer technology:
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Another significant problem can be the selection of software installed on technology<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2989567.stm Computers to Africa scheme criticised (5/1/2003)]</ref> – instructors trained in one set of software (for example [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]]<ref>[http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/headlines/computers-wiki-africa.html Students Bring Computers and Wikipedia to Africa (9/17/2010)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722002405/http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/headlines/computers-wiki-africa.html |date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>) can be expected to have difficulty in navigating computers donated with different software (for example [[Windows XP]]).
A pressing problem is also the misuse of [[electronic waste]] in dangerous ways. Burning technology to obtain the metals inside will release toxic fumes into the air.<ref>[
Finally, while countries may receive many donations of hardware, software, training, and technical support, internet penetration in developing countries is often extremely low compared with the developed world. However, in recent years, mobile internet has had massive growth in these regions and has become the primary way most people access the internet. Mobile internet penetration is not equal however, with rural areas often having much lower rates of internet access. This furthers the economic and cultural divide between urban and rural areas in developing countries as internet access is becoming more essential to everyday life.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rodríguez-Castelán |first1=Carlos |last2=Ochoa |first2=Rogelio |last3=Lach |first3=Samantha |last4=Masaki |first4=Takaaki |title=Mobile Internet Adoption in West Africa |date=9 March 2021 |doi=10.2139/ssrn.3798904|hdl=10986/35209 |hdl-access=free |journal=Technology in Society}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Basel Action Network]]
* [[Community informatics]]
* [[Electronic waste by country]]
* [[Electronic Waste Recycling Act (disambiguation)]]
* [[Green computing]]
* [[Non-profit technology]]
*
* [[Personal computer]]
* [[Plockton High School#Computers for Africa|Plockton High School (Computers for Africa)]]
* [[Recycling]]
*
* [[Telecentre]]
* [[United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force]]
* [[Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive]]
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==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090221211331/http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/pressreleases/UgandarRefurbPR_12062008.mspx Computer Refurbishment Centre Opens for Business in Kampala (6
* [http://www.techlearning.com/article/20270 Affordable handheld computer reaches Latin America (5
[[Category:Information and communication technologies for development|*]]
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