One of the first steps to addressing any problem is understanding problem and taking the time to perform research. In attempt to organize all factors influencing Africa’s adoption of the Internet, we have created a rudimentary outline. We hope to enhance and further organize this list to create a visual picture of the relationships playing a role in the development of Africa’s ICT sector.

Infrastructure

• power supply limitations
• fiber optic connections
• fixed line constraints
• mobile infrastructure
• infrastructure sharing
• wireless broadband
• foreign investment
• VSAT
• call centers
• national backbone
• IXPs

Education

• schooling with computers
• staff training
• enforcing e-skills
• foreign investment
• government aid
• university level programs and enthusiasm

Tech

• local start-ups
• m-commerce
• collaboration with other countries
• excitement (ie. conferences)
• security
• ccTLDs and .africa
• competent telecoms
• combined data routes (ie. use both broadband and mobile, or broadband and VSAT in rural areas)
• IPv6

Method

• public Internet access (cafés, telecentres, rural kiosks, mobile rentals, village area networks, local WiFi/WiMax)
• mobile (voice, voice to text, SMS, WAP, GPRS, Bluetooth, smartphone)
• certain countries/regions need more attention
• unique branding
• citizen involvement
• information coordination
• local content
• gradual: can’t expect web 2.0 immediately
• communication as a right
• help from foreign channels
• foreign individuals living in Africa and relaying info abroad
• business process outsourcing
• targeted plan for war-torn nations
• regional harmonization

Cost

• competition
• government recognizance
• privatization and regulation
• ICT policy
• vandalism/cyber crime
• vc/microfinance

Numbers

• demographics: young and rural
• whole picture isn’t represented by stats
• world awareness
• visualization may help

Impact

• greater efficacy
• human rights benefits (ie. crowd-sourcing)
• nationalism
• eventual economic boost
• world connection
• personal satisfaction and enjoyment