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Bridging the digital divide: A NEPAD priority area

NEPAD recognises the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in accelerating economic growth and development, particularly in the context of achieving a common market and continental integration. ICTs also have the potential to foster intra-regional trade and enhance Africa’s global competitiveness.

The development of the ICT sector is therefore identified as one of the priority focus areas of NEPAD aimed at defining the continent’s new and aggressive effort to accelerate Africa’s economic development and growth.

The e-Africa Commission: the NEPAD ICT Task Team

NEPAD has established a Special Task Team for the ICT sector which is known as the e-Africa Commission.

The e-Africa Commission is responsible for developing policies and strategies and projects at the continental level as well as managing the structured development of the ICT sector in the context of NEPAD.

Mandate of the e-Africa Commission

1. The e-Africa Commission will develop a broad NEPAD ICT strategy and comprehensive action plan with the objective of:

   • Accelerating the development of African inter-country, intra-country and global connectivity, and
   • promoting conditions for Africa to be an equal and active participant in the Global Information Society
2. The e-Africa Commission shall serve as the primary advisory body to the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSIC) of NEPAD, on the development and implementation of an effective NEPAD/ICT programme for Africa. It shall advise and assist the HSIC in all matters relating to the implementation of NEPAD ICT programmes.

3. The e-Africa Commission shall undertake the following functions:

   • Develop a comprehensive NEPAD ICT strategy which takes cognisance of existing projects and initiatives;
   • Develop and implement new projects and initiatives to add value to existing ones;
   • Recommend the policy, legal and regulatory environment that is conducive to the implementation of the strategy;
   • Recommend specific policies on the development and use of ICTs to enhance the social and cultural development of African society;
   • Identify projects with immediate benefits in order to demonstrate the value of ICT and to elicit sustained commitment of all stakeholders;
   • Collate information on best practices and experiences in the key elements of the ICT programme for the purpose of benchmarking and for the development of guidelines;
   • Promote an appropriate e-governance initiative to citizens, civil society, corporations and governments of Africa and create avenues for their general participation;
   • Promote e-awareness amongst the citizens of Africa;
   • Support the implementation of other NEPAD programmes through the application of ICTs.

Organization

• The Commission will comprise individuals, representatives of governments, sub-regional bodies, representatives of the established continental institutions of the ICT sector as well as the relevant structures of the African Union.
• New membership and changes to the composition of the Commission will be decided upon by the NEPAD Steering Committee taking into account recommendations of the Executive Committee of the Commission.
• The e-Africa Commission will have a Chairperson and an Executive Deputy Chairperson.
• The Commission shall have an Honorary Chairperson.
• The Commission will have an Executive Committee comprising of the Chairperson, Executive Deputy Chairperson and one representative from each initiating members of the NEPAD Steering Committee (Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa). The functions of the Executive Committee will be as stipulated in the basic document of the Commission.
• The Commission will also have a Programme Coordinating Committee comprised of ten Programme Commissioners.
• The members of the e-Africa Commission will serve for a term of 3 years, without prejudice to reappointment.
• The e-Africa Commission will meet once a year unless otherwise decided.
• The Commission may create as many committees and sub-committees or other sub-structures as it deems necessary to discharge its duties.
• The Commission may appoint individuals and organizations from Africa and elsewhere to assist in its work

Quorum

• The quorum for meetings of the Commission shall be one third of the membership of the Commission.
• The quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee of the Commission shall be one half of the members of the Committee, provided that at least three government representatives of the NEPAD Steering Committee countries are present.

Secretariat

• The Secretariat of the Commission will be based at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR of South Africa in Pretoria

Amendments to the basic documents of the Commission

• Amendments to the basic documents of the Commission will be decided upon by the NEPAD Steering Committee at the recommendation of the Executive Committee of the Commission