The proposal for 5 rural multipurpose community telecentres pilot projects in Africa was developed in the framework of an African Information Society Initiative (AISI) programme, proposed by UNESCO, ITU and the IDRC under "Democratisation of Access" component of the "Harnessing Information Technology for Development" (HITD) of the UN System-Wide Special Initiative on Africa.

Rural Multipurpose Community Telecentre (MCT) pilot projects will be implemented initially in 5 African countries (Benin, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda), as means of providing affordable access to modern information and communication technology tools for development. The purpose of these demonstration pilot projects is to try out and test new technologies and applications, innovative policies, tariff structures and new technologies, and to demonstrate the impact of provision of such tools to populations in rural and remote areas on economic, social and cultural development.

By enabling users to share the costs of facilities and support, the Telecentres will offer low-cost means of providing library services through the provision of access to national and worldwide electronic information banks as well as providing information support for literacy campaigns, basic and non-formal education, information on government programmes, etc. They will also provide facilities for the generation and exchange of community based information.

Other services and facilities envisaged are access to the Internet for businesses, NGOs, farmers and the public interested in online banking, market information, weather forecasts and promotion of their products, as well as basic office administration services such as telephone, typing, printing and faxes. Depending on location and demand, other applications such as telemedicine and formal distance education programmes could also be added.

Long-term sustainability of the MCTs is expected to be achieved through fees-for-service paid by the private sector, NGOs, the public and in particular, the government, which will be able to improve the efficiency and quality of public services and make savings in delivery of, for example, education and healthcare.

The pilot projects are to be carried out partnership with public sector as well as private sector stakeholders and is expected to produce best-practice models which can then be generalized at national level. Development Agencies - governmental as well as non governmental - and private sector suppliers of relevant services and equipment are invited to become partners in this programme.

For comments or suggestions please contact: j.rose@unesco.org

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27 March 1997