ZAMBIA'S FIRST DRAFT ICT POLICY: A CRITIQUE

Essay by ankunika November 2004

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The first draft ICT Policy in Zambia comes at a moment when information society is receiving greater recognition as an engine for development at various levels. This was acknowledged at the world conference on information society held in Geneva in Switzerland towards the end of 2003. Zambia though represented at the conference needs to do a lot in order to exploit its strategic location in terms of the topographical ICT map and take a more liberalized approach to its ICT accessibility especially in relation to international access to ICT infrastructure and other facilities as well as the building of capacity. This paper gives a chapter by chapter critique of the first draft ICT Policy for Zambia. Any shortcomings present are solely the responsibility of the author.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

The introduction to the topic begins well although the last paragraph before the definition of IT does not instill a sense of vision and strength which are the key characteristics of a policy document and must be felt from the outset.

The paragraph is well summarized but for the fact that it ignores the human component which is a cardinal input to any policy to succeed. This is so because in terms of human and societal dynamics, efficiency cannot be attained without access and institutions cannot function in a vacuum without a well defined target group.

CHAPTER TWO: SITUATION ANALYSIS

The Policy document in highlighting the reforms that have taken place in Zambia ignores the fact that Zambia is a member of the international community and has accordingly ratified several treaties and Protocols such as the SADC Protocol on Transport Communications and Meteorology which operates with other minor protocols and guidelines such as the TRASA draft guidelines on interconnection for SADC countries. Further Zambia is a member of continental bodies such...