Mohammad Amir Anwar and Mark Graham
- Published in print:
- 2022
- Published Online:
- February 2022
- ISBN:
- 9780198840800
- eISBN:
- 9780191876455
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198840800.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The rapid adoption and diffusion of digital technologies on the continent in the last decade has led many governments and observers to talk about Africa’s ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. The ...
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The rapid adoption and diffusion of digital technologies on the continent in the last decade has led many governments and observers to talk about Africa’s ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. The underlying assertion here is that digital technologies will help African economies move away from the primary sector towards tertiary economic activities, and therefore put them on track for economic development. However, there are genuine concerns about the extent to which digital technologies will alter the existing modes and structures of production that currently benefit the African continent. This chapter argues that Africa continues to be locked into a value-extractive position in the global economy. Digital production, predominantly characterized by low value-added economic activities that do not necessarily translate into socio-economic improvements for the African working classes, represents a new arena for these dynamics to play out.Less
The rapid adoption and diffusion of digital technologies on the continent in the last decade has led many governments and observers to talk about Africa’s ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. The underlying assertion here is that digital technologies will help African economies move away from the primary sector towards tertiary economic activities, and therefore put them on track for economic development. However, there are genuine concerns about the extent to which digital technologies will alter the existing modes and structures of production that currently benefit the African continent. This chapter argues that Africa continues to be locked into a value-extractive position in the global economy. Digital production, predominantly characterized by low value-added economic activities that do not necessarily translate into socio-economic improvements for the African working classes, represents a new arena for these dynamics to play out.
Ronaldo Lemos and Joana Varon Ferraz
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199671656
- eISBN:
- 9780191751127
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199671656.003.0037
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
How do Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) contribute to international development? What roles do the state and market play in deploying ICTs? How can one assess the development impact ...
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How do Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) contribute to international development? What roles do the state and market play in deploying ICTs? How can one assess the development impact of ICTs, and are these impacts scalable or sustainable? To approach these questions this chapter maps key ideas and debates surrounding the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). Practical examples of ICT use in the developing world are examined, including telecentres, LAN houses, and the growing number of mobile devices affordable for the poor. Critical issues include the extent to which markets provide access to ICTs, and the extent to which ICTs empower wider social transformation. Looking forward, ongoing debate revolves around internet governance and which policies foster or threaten online rights. Will the future use of ICTs expand human freedom and development, or enable increased surveillance and control?Less
How do Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) contribute to international development? What roles do the state and market play in deploying ICTs? How can one assess the development impact of ICTs, and are these impacts scalable or sustainable? To approach these questions this chapter maps key ideas and debates surrounding the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D). Practical examples of ICT use in the developing world are examined, including telecentres, LAN houses, and the growing number of mobile devices affordable for the poor. Critical issues include the extent to which markets provide access to ICTs, and the extent to which ICTs empower wider social transformation. Looking forward, ongoing debate revolves around internet governance and which policies foster or threaten online rights. Will the future use of ICTs expand human freedom and development, or enable increased surveillance and control?
