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ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science & Technology Perspective

ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science & Technology Perspective. By GABRIEL LATJOR NDOW - B.A., M.S. Transforming The Gambia to a “Silicon Valley of Africa”. OUTLINE. Demographics ICT Infrastructure Human Resources Legal and Regulatory Framework

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ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science & Technology Perspective

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  1. ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science & Technology Perspective By GABRIEL LATJOR NDOW - B.A., M.S.

  2. Transforming The Gambia to a “Silicon Valley of Africa”

  3. OUTLINE • Demographics • ICT Infrastructure • Human Resources • Legal and Regulatory Framework • Programs/Projects/Initiatives for ICT Development • Factors that limit the access to ICT • Towards a Technology Literate Society

  4. Demographics • GENERAL INFORMATION: • Total population • 1.361 million (2003 census) 1.731 million (2010 projection)   • Urban population • 684,158 • Rural population • 676,523 • Local Government Areas • Banjul , Kanifing, Brikama, Mansakonko, Kerewan, Kuntaur, Janjangbureh and Basse • Total land area • 11,632 square kilometers • Leading sector • Agriculture • Percentage of the population with access to electricity • Urban - 63.22% • Rural - 18.75%

  5. Telephone Subscriber  • Mobile GSM operators and approx. number of subscribers • 2007 = 8418,371 • 2008 = 1,215,004 • 1,166,136 GSM Mobile & 48,886  Fixed line by 2008 • As at 2009 the GSM Subscribers are as follows: • •  Africell – 636,000 • •  Comium – 145,000 • •  Gamcel - 318,960 • Qcell – 200,000* • International bandwidth • In-bound - • Out-bound - 86 MB * • Internet Subscribers • • 2005  =  2,060 • • 2006  = 1,442 • • 2007  = 4,814 • • 2008  = 2,522 •  • 2009  = 2,858 ICT Infrastructure • Country code top level domain (ccTLD) name • .gm • Government web portal site • www.gambia.gov.gm or www.gov.gm Inception of the internet in The Gambia • 1998 • Fixed Line Provider • Gambia Telecommunication Company (GAMTEL) • Fixed Line Subscribers • •  2006 = 53,000 • •  2007 = 50,000 • •  2008 = 48,886 • •  2009 = 43454 Telephone penetration rate • 21.6%  in 2006, 54% in 2007, 76% 2008

  6. ICT Infrastructure • Internet Service Providers and number of subscribers • •  Gamtel •  QuantumNet/Qcell •  Netpage •  Lanix Limited • •  Connexion Solution •  Unique Solutions   • Type of Internet Access • •  ADSL, leased line, Wireless (CDMA, 3G and   Broadband) • Estimated percentage of the population with computer • Urban - 7.71% • Rural - 1.06% • Estimated percentage of the population with access to internet • Urban - 5.01% • Rural - 0.24% • Number of internet cafes - ??? • Cost of Internet Access (average) • D200 – D1000 equivalent to 8 US $ - $30 per month for unlimited access and less than 50 cents per hour for phone/dial up time

  7. ICT Infrastructure • Number of TV Stations - One (1) - GRTS • Satellite and Cable TV providers : DSTv/Premium Network, GamTV. •   Number of Operational Radio Stations : • FM radio stations - 10 • •  Community radio stations - 3 • Number of newspaper – 8? • Household with Electricity • •  Banjul & Kanifing - 71.54% • •  Brikama Urban & Kombo North - 21.07% • •  Other Urban - 9.38% • •  Other Rural - 1.37% • Number of Gambian websites - ??? • •  Government - 50 (estimate) • •  Private Companies - ??? • •  NGOs - ??? • •  Others - ???

  8. HUMAN RESOURCES • National literacy rate - 75% •   Number of University One (1) - University of The Gambia • Computer to Student Ratio • •  Middle/Upper Basic Schools – 1 : 110 • •  Senior Secondary Schools – 1 : 29 • •  Tertiary/Higher Education – 1 : 10 • Percent of ICT Qualified Teachers • •  Lower Basic School - 2.4% • •  Middle/Upper Basic Schools - 4.2% • •  Senior Secondary Schools - 15.8% • •  Vocational/technical - 38.5% • •  Tertiary/Higher Education - 13.9% • ICT Training Institutions • • Currently there are 33* ICT Training Institutions in the Gambia  

  9. Legal and Regulatory Framework • The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Act, 2001 • Gambia Radio and Television Services Corporation Act, 2004 • Wireless & Telegraphic (transmission, licensing & control) Regulation of the Telegraphic Station Act, 1994 • Information and Communication Act, 2008

  10. Programs/Projects/Initiatives for ICT Development • E-Government Strategy implementation • National E-Government Task Force • Government Web Portal • Inter-Governmental Connectivity • Regional ICT Centers - Proposed • NICI Implementation Plan (ICT4D 2012 Plan) • E-Education • E-Health

  11. Factors that limit the access to ICT • Low level of education/low literacy • Low skilled workforce • Technology-challenged society • Lack of awareness • Low affordability • Gender issues • Wide digital divide • Lack of Electric Power

  12. Toward a Science and Technology Literate Society • UNESCO Report • Video promo

  13. THANK YOU!JERE JEF!ABARAKA!

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