ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science
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Transcript ICT CHALLENGES in THE GAMBIA: A Science
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
Programs/Projects/Initiatives for ICT Development
Factors that limit the access to ICT
Towards a Technology Literate Society
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%
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
•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
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
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 - ???
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
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
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
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
Toward a Science and Technology
Literate Society
UNESCO Report
Video promo
THANK YOU!
JERE JEF!
ABARAKA!