Twin Peaks: WSIS from Geneva to Tunis

Abstract

This article looks at the emergence of ICT for development activities in Africa with the advent of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI), which is an action framework led by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to address digital divide issues on the continent. The discussion is presented in the context of Africa’s subsequent participation in the WSIS process, with the preparatory meeting held in Bamako, Mali in May 2002. Developmental concerns were central to the debates raised at the meeting and remained central in deliberations in Geneva. The article analyses Africa’s participation and considers the gains resulting from the Summit and explores the prospects for implementation of the Plan of Action at country level. Furthermore, the article looks ahead to Tunis 2005 with proposals as to what the relevant considerations should be.