Practical Insights on Economic Development for ICT4D Projects

ICT economic development

Economic Development in Africa

Since the early 2000s, the sub-Saharan African region experienced a profound economic transformation. The drivers of the region’s economic development are diverse, and include:

  • Improved governance and policy reforms in many countries.
  • Strong agricultural employment and profitable off-farm activities.
  • Increased local and foreign direct investment.
  • High global commodity prices.
  • Widespread new technology innovation and adoption.

ICT Impact on Economic Development

Information and communication technology (ICT) investments are creating structural changes across the continent.

Many African economies are reorganizing around technology innovations and global information availability. This increases trade, capital flows, and economic development. ICT4D, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, and other advanced technologies continue to rapidly transform the nature of work.

ICT programs to improve economic outcomes are often very dynamic, evolving through several stages of maturity during which the monitoring and evaluation needs of the intervention also change rapidly. These ICT4D program intervention stages include:

  • Exploring the identified needs of constituents
  • Developing the technical functionality and feasibility
  • Deploying the technology solution with stakeholders
  • Assessing user satisfaction with the deployed technology
  • Evaluating the intervention’s effectiveness and attributable impact
  • Calculating the key stakeholders’ “value for money”.

COVID-19 Economic Development Impact

COVID-19 is expected to cause massive economic disruption, exacerbating the effects of technological transformations.

Low-skilled, informal, and migrant workers are most at risk of being displaced through the looming coronavirus recession and the technological transformations of work. Yet with COVID-19 digital response, these transformations can present opportunities for new businesses and jobs.

  • Small and new businesses can weather economic shocks, prosper, and create good jobs through access to capital, networks, and technology.
  • Support workers can advocate for and access living wages, social safety nets, and financial security in order to prepare for, withstand, and recover from economic shocks.
  • Workers can obtain technological and digital literacy as well as the durable skills needed to stay apace with the changing job market and economic downturns.

ICT4D Economic Development Programs

There are many examples of ICT4D economic development programs increasing jobs and wealth in developing countries. Here are examples of digital solutions to Africa countries’ economic problems from international development and humanitarian relief organizations.

Apply Now: $100 Million for African Startups Supporting UN SDGs

Apply Now: $100 Million for African Startups Supporting UN SDGs

Published on: Sep 27 2021 by Wayan Vota - 20 Comments
Africa is considered the fastest-growing market in the world. Entrepreneurship is a key driver for African development, creating sustainable economic growth that...
10 Human Rights Impacts of Land Governance Digitalization

10 Human Rights Impacts of Land Governance Digitalization

Published on: Sep 10 2021 by Guest Writer - 2 Comments
Digitalization – the adoption and use of information and communica­tions technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence in different sectors and every­...
It’s Time to Connect African Entrepreneurs to Global Venture Capital

It’s Time to Connect African Entrepreneurs to Global Venture Capital

Published on: Aug 05 2021 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on It’s Time to Connect African Entrepreneurs to Global Venture Capital
When it comes to innovation, Africa has an abundance of entrepreneurial talent. Nowhere is early-stage, technology-driven innovation more exciting than it is in...
Apply Now: $285,000 in Grant Funding for Digital Inclusion Solutions

Apply Now: $285,000 in Grant Funding for Digital Inclusion Solutions

Published on: Jun 06 2021 by Wayan Vota - 33 Comments
The pandemic has exacerbated the need to be connected in order to access jobs, training, and markets. However, the digital economy excludes over half of the world’s...
Apply Now! $50,000 for Women’s Economic Empowerment Research

Apply Now! $50,000 for Women’s Economic Empowerment Research

Published on: May 09 2021 by Wayan Vota - 14 Comments
Financial inclusion has an impact on many aspects of the lives of poor and marginalized people. It helps them smooth consumption and absorb financial shocks and...
Building an Inclusive Digital Economy: USAID Digital Strategy Update

Building an Inclusive Digital Economy: USAID Digital Strategy Update

Published on: May 04 2021 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Building an Inclusive Digital Economy: USAID Digital Strategy Update
Please RSVP Now to learn more about USAID’s Digital Strategy at the Global Digital Development Forum on May 5. Our amazing agenda features multiple sessions focusing...
$180 Billion Internet Economy Opportunity in African Countries

$180 Billion Internet Economy Opportunity in African Countries

Published on: Dec 24 2020 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Throughout the global pandemic, Africa’s Internet economy is proving resilient, as digital startups across the continent devise innovative COVID-19 digital response...
How to Develop Work-Ready Digital Skills in African Youth?

How to Develop Work-Ready Digital Skills in African Youth?

Published on: Nov 05 2020 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Although Kevin has a master’s degree in science and had been teaching ICT to secondary school students in Kenya for over 25 years, he scored just 61% on a digital...
Why Do Women Suffer Gender Gaps in COVID-19 Digital Payments?

Why Do Women Suffer Gender Gaps in COVID-19 Digital Payments?

Published on: Oct 28 2020 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Why Do Women Suffer Gender Gaps in COVID-19 Digital Payments?
The digitization of cash transfers has emerged as an attractive policy solution for countries seeking to expand social assistance to alleviate the economic hardships...
Apply Now: 1,500,000€ for Tech-Enabled Sustainable Urban Development

Apply Now: 1,500,000€ for Tech-Enabled Sustainable Urban Development

Published on: Sep 28 2020 by Wayan Vota - 4 Comments
In an increasingly urban world, where  70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, cities are on the front line of development challenges...