The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Digital Pulse - Ch 2 - Sec 1 - Djibouti ICT Strategy

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Summary

The Digital Pulse: The Current and Future Applications of Information and Communication Technologies for Developmental Health Priorities


Chapter 2 - ICT for Development: A Review of Current Thinking

Section 1: The ICT4D Proponents



Djibouti ICT Strategy




Summary

Djibouti is a small city-state (pop. 680,000) occupying a strategic location on the Horn of Africa with a service-based economy and a reliance on shipping. While the country is poor, with subsistence agriculture and few natural resources, it is recognized in the region as a stable financial centre. It also located at the intersection of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Muslim world and of la Francophonie. It is also favoured with a direct connection to the SMW 2 & 3 fibre-optic submarine cables linking Southern Europe and Asia. Privatization measures are being considered for the major utilities including the national telecommunications operator, Djibouti Telecomms.


The Government of Djibouti and several other development actors such as the university and research communities as well as the private sector have recognized the importance of ICTs for Djibouti's service based economy. Since May of 2002, a process of consultation has been ongoing that has lead, with the help of UNDP and the ITU to the preparation of an ICT strategy and action plan. It has also been an opportunity for revising telecommunications tariffs by an average of 50%, and Djibouti Telecomms has been subject of a World Bank/IMF review. This process of consultation and reflection has led the Government and other development actors to recognize the importance of developing a strategic view of how ICTs can help transform the country. The result is an ICT strategy and action plan with a 20-year horizon.


Key Points

The Action Plan is organized under the following 9 headings and each section details the specific components, goals and frameworks for implementation.

  1. Core Activities For Strengthening The ICT Sector - the empowering and strengthening of the telecommunication sector in the economy and drafting the basic texts and acts governing ICTs, including the creation of a regulatory agency.
  2. Installing The Means Of Access for All To The Information Society – which involves an analysis of the current dissemination of ICTs in Djibouti and a market study. This is to be followed by infrastructure expansion, a search for appropriate technical solutions, promotion, the development of community access centres and radio stations, and efforts to encourage ICT assimilation.
  3. Developing Human Resources And Strengthening Research - the creation of a research, education and health network and increased capacities in the field of ICTs. This will include a schools network project and national education and ICT project aimed at enhancing teachers' skills and computer equipment in schools.
  4. Modernizing And Strengthening The Public Health System - the informatization of the Ministry of Health and main hospitals of the Republic of Djibouti as well as the connection of major health centres to the RDRES.
  5. Modernizing State Structures through Digital Technology - the modernization and informatization of the Administration.
  6. Strengthening Institutional and Legal Capacities – the introduction of legal information systems.
  7. Strengthening ICT Usage Capacities In The Private Sector – this will involve creating a regional hub and international financial services centre as well as business incubators and conditions suitable for the development of an information economy.
  8. Developing Digital Content – with efforts to raise the profile of Djibouti on the web.
  9. Managing Information On The Environment – responding to famines and other natural disasters by using ICTs to share information and provide for early warnings and management.

The action plan details over 30 projects that can be considered to help transform the country while trying to deal with the fundamental issues of poverty, literacy and access to education and health services in general, community development (community access centers and community radio) and the challenge of transforming and modernizing the economy, government and society in general using ICTs. Each project includes a budget.


Source: The Djibouti ICT strategy and action plan are available online. Choose the option: 'Societe de l'information NTICs'. The strategy and action plan are available in French and the Action plan is available in English. Sourced also from an email from Richard Labelle, UNDP.