Technology Briefs

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Technopolicy Briefs Series are commissioned short papers written by experts from all over the world specifically to address current science and technology policy concerns and questions in Africa.

The briefs are also summaries of technical papers published under our WPS, SPS and RPS written to highlight significant policy recommendations. These briefs are writen with the busy policymakers and non-specialists in mind. The materials are designed for general readership and help advance the advocacy and knowledge brokerage roles of the ATPS.

• Politique d'etat et pratiques Populaires dans l'Approvisionnement en Eau Au Benin: Quelles lecons, quelles perspectives?
  By Roch Mongbo. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 22

• Epuration des Eaux Domestiques Usees par des Plantes Alimentaires: Amaranthus hybridus et corchorus olitorus
  By Lacina Coulibaly. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 21

• How to Write an Effective Science Story
  By Robert Powell. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 20

• What are the Policy Gaps Hindering Full Implementation of Community Water and Sanitation Programs in Ghana?
  By Frederick K. Amu-Mensah, Emmanuel K. Tetteh and Joseph D. Chonia. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 18

• Is EcoSan an Appropriate Water and Environment Technology Option for Slum Communities of Kampala?
  By James Kakooza and Dave Khayangayanga. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 17

• What are the Policy Implications for Industrial Water Pollution in Lesotho?
  By Deepa Pullanikkatil, Spirit Tlali and Lefa Thamae. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 16

• Formulation of a National ICT Policy
  By George Okado. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 15

• Research Priorities for Kenya's Cut-Flower Industry: Farmer's Perspective
  Maurice Bolo, Nancy M. Muthoka, Racheal Washisino, Virginia Mwai. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 14.

• What is sui generis system of intellectual property protection?
  Moni Wekesa. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 13

• What Danger Lies in the WTO-NAMA Negotiations for Africa
  By Ha- Joon Chang. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 12

• Science & Technology and Food Security in Africa
  By African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) Ministry of Communications, Science & Technology (MCST), Lesotho. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 11

• How Can Innovation Systems and Innovative Clusters Be Used to Develop Africa?
  By Osita Ogbu. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 10

• Can Africa Develop Without Science and Technology?
  By Osita Ogbu. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 9

• How Can Science and Technology Policy Aid Nigeria's Reconstruction?
  By Osita Ogbu. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 8

• How Can Science and Technology in Africa Be Formulated and Implemented?
  By Osita Ogbu. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 7

• Science in a Globalizing World: Implications for Africa
  By Awele Maduemezia. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 6

• Keeping Hunger at Bay: Genetic Engineering and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa
  By John Mugabe. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 5

• Who Needs Technology Policy?
  By Ha-Joon Chang. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 4

• What Can Biotechnology Do for Africa? How Can the Associated Risks and Uncertainties Be Managed?
  By Norman Clark. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 3

• How Can We Constitutionalize Innovation, Technology and Intellectual Property in Kenya?
  By Bernard Sihanya. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 2

• Who benefits from the New International Intellectual Property rights regime? And what should Africa do?
  By Ha-Joon Chang. Technopolicy Brief Series No. 1

Technopolicy Brief Series

Formulation of a National ICT Policy

» George Okado, ATPS, 2007. ISBN: 9966-916-76-8

Many countries are publishing visionary information and communication technologies (ICTs) policies to benefit from the perceived potential of ICTs to promote economic and social development and combat poverty.

These policy documents aim to develop strategies for harnessing ICTs' potential for societal benefits. In part, they are responding to concerns over countries that do not take full advantage of these technologies: they would be left further behind on the wrong side of a growing "digital divide" that would trap them in deeper and intractable poverty.

As a result, policy makers have to be familiar with ICT policy formulation and gain clarity over questions such as:

a) What is an ICT Policy?

b) What type of ICT policy should it be?

c) What process should be followed?

d) Who should be involved? e) What resources are required?

The purpose of this policy brief is to provide some basic guidelines on addressing these questions. It is a compass, not a step-by-step policy formulation cookbook. It simply points in the direction of the policy formulation process. Read more