Matt Johnson: Africa deserves help to make most of internet possibilities

Oct 31 2007 by Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Daily Post

IT'S the things we take for granted we end up missing the most. In business, for example, as long as the technical kit behind the scenes, or at the end of some fibre-optic carriageway, runs as it should, few people pay much attention other than those whose responsibility it is to keep everything working.

Similarly, when we turn a tap on at home, or a light switch, we assume our favourite utility providers are doing their part by keeping the water or the juice running. Take these staples away and we start to realise two things – how invaluable they are and how much taken for granted they are too.

These thoughts came to mind this week as I reflected further on my trip to Africa.

Rwanda – for so long in the headlines as a country suffering a plight close to self-destruction – is now hosting a major conference about how this huge continent can be better connected to the internet.

Casting my mind back to the sights and sounds I encountered during my time in the Congo, the impact of mobile communication still looms large.

Incongruous, perhaps, but in even the most deprived and poverty-stricken areas I visited, people had mobile phones and what's particularly interesting about the Connect Africa meeting in Rwanda is that it's clearly attempting to harness the enormous power of digital communication as a driver of economic growth.

In a neat twist, the conference features representations from organisations such as the World Bank, World Health Organisation and United Nations, as well as high-profile technology leaders such as Intel's chairman.

The attendees were all invited to make financial commitments to improving technology and telecommunications in the continent. More than $3bn has been pledged so far.

Having succeeded so well in the money raising stakes, the organisers must now be hoping their delegates come up with useful ideas on how to spend it effectively.

Underlining the evidence of my own eyes is news confirmed this week that Africa has had the highest growth in mobile phone use globally – twice the global average over the past three years.

One of the biggest problems facing internet development in Africa is a lack of interconnectivity. More than 70% of internet traffic within Africa is routed outside the continent, driving up costs for business and consumers.

The International Telecommunications Union says more than $8bn was invested in communications infrastructure across Africa in 2005.

Easy access to technology for more than half of the continent's population within eight years may sound like an ambitious goal. If it's achieved, countries like Congo and Rwanda will reap the benefits.

If it's not, the rest of the digitally empowered world could face searching questions.

MATT JOHNSON is chairman of Mando Group.