An Evaluation of ICT Policy Developments in Botswana

Introduction

The embracing of information communication technologies (ICTs) in world economies has greatly enhanced production, and easy accessibility to public services. ICTs have been broadly defined in the literature as the technologies that are used for capturing, creating, accessing, manipulating, presenting, communicating and transferring information and knowledge (Tiamiyu & Aina, 2008). Examples of these can include equipment such as hardware (computers), software applications as Internet and networking infrastructure. With the help of ICTs, organisations are now able to create and store large amounts of information and can also have quick access to it, therefore promoting efficient, evidence-based decision making. Further, it also contributes to knowledge sharing by putting in the public domains research outcomes. Without doubt these technologies have improved service delivery and have been important in opening up opportunities for socio-economic development (Mutula & Brakel, 2006). For example, ICTs have played a major role in economic growth which has been realised through foreign direct investment; it has lead to poverty reduction and employment creation. ICTs also facilitate access to public services such as education, health and banking. Further, with the realisation of e-government strategies in many African countries, ICTs play a central role in facilitating the interaction of government and the ordinary citizens. However, this can only be realised if the infrastructure is available, affordable, fully accessible to the public and there is an enabling environment, proper regulatory frameworks and multi-stakeholder partnership. Unreliable infrastructure is leads to high costs due to high transaction costs (Gerster Consulting, 2008).

While use of ICT has occasioned many benefits, it has also brought about problems that have to be addressed if its full potential and value has to be realised. For example, dependence of computers on power supplies which is becoming a major problem in most countries including Botswana has affected some business operations when there are power cuts and load shading. Technology also has a short life-cycle which is costly to update which means that when its life comes to an end new technology is needed and this comes at a high cost. For example, Microsoft Patch Security Management System (MPSMS) is a Windows security update system which makes sure that Microsoft operating software programs remains up-to-date with contemporary security threats. The short life cycle also results in data loss where migration of data from one software to another has to be done after upgrading. Another problem that has to be addressed if full potential of ICT were to be realised is its over-dependence on the internet. For Botswana, and many other African states, Internet Service Providers (ISP) charge exorbitant rates for internet service provision. There is also an issue of expensive prices in acquiring basic end-user gadgets such as printers, desktop computers, scanners, network adaptors, etc. Another challenge that cannot be ignored is usability. With the setting up of Trans Kgalagadi Fibre optic network in 2008, setting up of appropriate telecommunications infrastructure by Botswana Telecommunications Company (BTC), liberalisations of the telecommunications sector, and plans to put in place efficient backbone infrastructures in Botswana, it is assumed that by 2016, there will be widespread accessibility of all forms even in the rural areas. This being the case, one has to ask, will the ordinary citizenry be informed enough to take advantage of the ICTs and therefore extract maximum or any appreciable value brought about by such developments? This chapter is timely as it endeavours to investigate whether the ICT policy evolution and developments in Botswana have delved towards addressing these challenges.