The Role of ICTs and Telecommunications in Development

Telecommunication contributes towards the development of various countries that share information with each other in direct and indirect ways. These ways are discussed in this study unit. There is much that countries can share with others, including technological expertise, software development, hardware manufacturing, educational aspects and projects, cultural artifacts and activities such as art and other exhibitions, television soaps and conferences for development and tourism issues. For the purposes of this module, it is important, first, to understand what development is, before discussing the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development. It is also important to define rural development as well, because most parts of Africa are rural areas which need basic development in terms of the development of educational and health facilities, sanitation and roads, basic housing, creation of employment opportunities and reduction of poverty.