Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: A Review and Selective Annotated Bibliography 1990-2000

A review of relevant literature published between 1990 and 2000 revealed that, despite many constraints, the use of ICTs was growing in Africa and there had been successful developments in infrastructure, information management, networking and gender-related issues. However, the literature also revealed considerable variation between different African countries in their adoption and use of these technologies.

The book is divided into two sections: the review and the annotated bibliography. The review begins by introducing ICTs and the information economy in the African context. The literature selected for the bibliography is then reviewed thematically under the headings: Overview of ICTs in Africa; Information Infrastructure; Information Economy; Information Management; Socio-cultural and Political Issues; Education and Training; and Gender. The author then draws some conclusions from this review and provides thoughts on the future. The bibliography has been annotated with a view to providing an indication of the nature of the research that has been conducted, as well as suggestions for further research, in the items selected.

The author

Catherine Nyaki Adeya, a Kenyan national, is an information scientist with knowledge and skills in information development issues which include social, political and economic impacts of the new Information and Communication Technologies, particularly in Africa but in the developing world in general.

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