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Is ICT the panacea to sub-Saharan Africa’s development problems? Rethinking Africa’s contentious engagement with the global information society

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  • Peter A. Kwaku Kyem

Abstract

The explosion in mobile phone subscription notwithstanding, benefits from ICT deployment are far from being realized in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A clash between the rationality for development and local systems of reasoning, and the failure to cultivate behaviours that support technological innovation provide little hope for sustained information and communication technology (ICT) adoption in the region. The article discusses failures in technological innovation and then explores ways that SSA countries can manage ICT deployment to stimulate sustained adoption.

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  • Peter A. Kwaku Kyem, 2012. "Is ICT the panacea to sub-Saharan Africa’s development problems? Rethinking Africa’s contentious engagement with the global information society," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 12(2-3), pages 231-244, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:12:y:2012:i:2-3:p:231-244
    DOI: 10.1177/146499341101200309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arturo Escobar, 2000. "Beyond the Search for a Paradigm? Post-Development and beyond," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 43(4), pages 11-14, December.
    2. Deborah Bunker, 2001. "A Philosophy of Information Technology and Systems (IT & S) as Tools: Tool Development Context, Associated Skills and the Global Technology Transfer (GTT) Process," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 185-197, June.
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