feasibility study
Use of internet in rural areas of Zambia
Paula van Hoorik and Fred Mweetwa.
TNO Information and Communication Technology
Future Enterprise Strategies
Paula van Hoorik
+ 31 (0)15- 28 57139
+ 31 (0) 6- 514 29 415 paula.vanhoorik@tno.nl www.tno.nl
LinkNet Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society
Fred Mweetwa fred.mweetwa@link.net.zm www.link.net.zm
“I am now testifying that my life has greatly changed because I have full access to
Internet. Before Internet was implemented I was in a dark world but I am now in the light because of Internet. I am saying so because as a teacher I would like to know what is happening around the world so that I can update my pupils on current affairs. Right now I have all the information on my fingertips”. (a teacher from
Macha1)
Summery
Access to information and, more importantly, the internet is not evenly distributed in this world. But if they had it, would people in rural Africa want to use the internet? How would they use it and benefit from it? Will internet influence culture and how can communities prepare themselves when the internet comes in their village?
To support the rollout of internet in more rural areas in Zambia and to improve the effectiveness of ICT in rural environments, a clear view on the adoption and use of ICT and services was needed. This study aimed at providing this knowledge.
Interviews in rural Zambia taught us how people use the internet and the benefits they experience. We also spoke about their expectations and what they think is needed when the internet is introduced in a community.
The study showed that people and communities in rural Zambia do benefit from ICT both socially and economically. Basically, they use the internet for the same purposes as people in Western countries, such as to communicate, to search for information and to buy things. However, internet is even more important in rural areas because of lack of alternatives, such as telephone lines, libraries,
Paula van Hoorik and Fred Mweetwa.
TNO Information and Communication Technology
Future Enterprise Strategies
Paula van Hoorik
+ 31 (0)15- 28 57139
+ 31 (0) 6- 514 29 415 paula.vanhoorik@tno.nl www.tno.nl
LinkNet Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society
Fred Mweetwa fred.mweetwa@link.net.zm www.link.net.zm
“I am now testifying that my life has greatly changed because I have full access to
Internet. Before Internet was implemented I was in a dark world but I am now in the light because of Internet. I am saying so because as a teacher I would like to know what is happening around the world so that I can update my pupils on current affairs. Right now I have all the information on my fingertips”. (a teacher from
Macha1)
Summery
Access to information and, more importantly, the internet is not evenly distributed in this world. But if they had it, would people in rural Africa want to use the internet? How would they use it and benefit from it? Will internet influence culture and how can communities prepare themselves when the internet comes in their village?
To support the rollout of internet in more rural areas in Zambia and to improve the effectiveness of ICT in rural environments, a clear view on the adoption and use of ICT and services was needed. This study aimed at providing this knowledge.
Interviews in rural Zambia taught us how people use the internet and the benefits they experience. We also spoke about their expectations and what they think is needed when the internet is introduced in a community.
The study showed that people and communities in rural Zambia do benefit from ICT both socially and economically. Basically, they use the internet for the same purposes as people in Western countries, such as to communicate, to search for information and to buy things. However, internet is even more important in rural areas because of lack of alternatives, such as telephone lines, libraries,
References: Batchelor, S. and Scott, N. (2007), DFID – Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa Senegal Household Survey Analysis Chief Chikanta, His Royal Highness and Mweetwa, F. (2007). The need for information and communication technologies in rural areas Joseph, K. and Andrew, T (2006), An Overview of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Initiatives in Rural Africa Towards Empowerment, IST-Africa 2006 and the green revolution. E-learning Africa 2007 Conference Proceedings Pais A., (2006, 1) about Macha, http://www.privaserve.org/images/AboutMacha.pdf Pais A., (2006, 2), Mechanisms to bridge the digital divide by bringing connectivity to underserved communities Pais A. (2007), eLearning for rural communities, http://www.link.net.zm/ Segall M.H., Dasen P., Berry J.W., Poortinga Y.H perspective, Pergamum general psychology series, 213 Van Stam, G., (2006) Van Stam, G. (2007), Case: Sunflower farming. Internet changes Rural Africa. http://drupal.vanstam.net/?q=node/713 TNO (2007), www.tno.nl/programmaontwikkelingssamenwerking