Role of ICT in Poverty Reduction

1
Role of ICT in Poverty Reduction

• Presentation by Mr. T. Makintane
• Deputy Principal Secretary, Ministry of
  Communications, Science, and Technology

2
ICT POLICY BACKGROUND

• It is a tool to enable Lesotho to achieve its
  developmental goals as articulated in the Lesotho
  Vision 2020 Policy and the Poverty Reduction
  Strategy Paper.
• The policy supercedes the Lesotho
  Telecommunications Policy of 1999.

3
THE RATIONALE BEHIND ICT POLICY

• To increase the demand for resources among the
  Government, the Private Sector,Civil Society and
  individuals.
• To insure that Lesotho is a dynamic member of the
  global economy and information society.
• To develop a transparent and effective legal and
  regulatory framework that promotes investment in
  the ICT sector and embraces technological
  innovation.
• To reduce poverty.
• To promote a healthy population and a stable
  democracy.

4
THE IMPORTANT OF ICT

• Improving the availability and affordability of
  accessing of information
• Reduce inequalities among the sexes (make it
  possible for any gender to qualify for any
  position)
• Improve the lives of the disabled
• Save lives in rural areas via telemedicine
  applications
• Promote distance education
• Promote food production and food security

5

• Job creations
• Attracts investors
• Economical growth
• Improve the standard of living

6
ICT Policy Implementation Challenges

• ICT Department Capacity
• Difficult to recruit and retain suitable staff
  and management
• Standards formulation and project management as
  core focuses
• Lack of Infrastructure Utilities
• Telephones, electricity, etc.
• Very Limited GOL Budget
• No specific allocations to ICT equipment
• Change management
• Lack of cooperation by GOL departments

7
Challenges contd.

• Private sector capacity
• Tele-communication companies, ISPs, Computer
  service providers, etc.
• Proliferation of companies with no synergies or
  collaboration

8
Conclusions

• ICT is required for reducing poverty and
  enhancing the standard of living for all Basotho
• Serious challenges lie ahead
• GOL, Private Sector, Civil Society, etc. must all
  join hands in SMART PARTNERSHIP

9
FINALLY

• Thank You!