AFRICA IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Question 1

RATBERG & AKER

Answer 1

• mobile phone coverage SSA 16 million in 2000 to 500 million+ 2012
• internet not widely connected in SSA, 5% have access to computers
• Niger & Colombia mobile coverage in rural areas allow traders to move grain from low to high price markets, new economic advantage for weak and poor
• Rwanda thousands of phones distributed to community health workers
• revolution will happen, more likely to be transformative if politicans accept and help
• mobile phones are revolutionising politics… nothing is so power, so transformative…. improve human outcomes and life choices for many millions

Question 2

BRATTON

Answer 2

• uprisings against authoritarian states in Tunisa & Egypt, tech used to organise
• ICT not necessarily ‘liberation technology’, neutral tool can promote or undermine democratic citizenship
• can spread hate speech, aftermath of Kenyan election 2007

Question 3

OBADARE

Answer 3

• 19 September 2003 Nigerian boycott of cell phones, 75% took part, millions of dollars lost
  mobile tech for social activism, expands political sphere but is an accessory of privledge

Question 4

YA’U

Answer 4

• globalisation enabled by new ICTs that allow transfer of information and capital
• resurgence of imperialism, knowledge dependence, configure world in interest of imperial powers
• social reconstruction of world through globalisation into one single market, Africa too poorly positioned in cyberspace to benefit
• system of markets requires trade liberalisation and reduction of state BUT Africa is a developmental state and cannot afford the commodification of knowledge, health and education

Question 5

GAGLIARDONE

Answer 5

• Ethiopian government developed one of the most restrictive systems for regulation of media in Africa to prevent internet and mobiles being used as tools for opposition
• intranet not internet
• internet and cell phones used to mobilise against, government shut it down 2005
• China loaned $1.9 billion legitimising censorship and allowing expansion of mobile service whilst enabling Ethio-Telecom to remain only provider
• proactive and restrictive measures allow government to retain control at the expense of individual rights (Africa Rising)

Question 6

WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2016

Answer 6

• more people have access to mobiles than clean water and electricity
• M-PESA Kenya
• states can use tech to repress rather than empower
• analogue improvements are needed
• rapid technological progress will enable poor to afford and use tech but dividends won’t reap unless the state invests in analogue components (literacy and numeracy skills, regulation, accountable institutions) –> eg in Niger 7/10 adults are illiterate