I suppose we can now officially thank government policies in African countries for their failure to expand fixed lines, leading to a projected 22% increase in mobile phone subscribers. 330 million people will own a phone in Africa, in 2008.

E-Governance is a term that has been loosely floating around, slightly misunderstood and highly underestimated. It refers to the use of internet technology as a platform for exchanging information, providing services and transacting with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government (Wikipedia). Basically, we would be facilitating 2-way communication between a government and its citizens using technology, a new philosophy that threatens to reinstitute a government by the people for the people (Like it was supposed to be).

E-Governance cannot exist without internet access - or can it? The same government forces that inadvertently choked land-lines, also cast their noose around internet access bottle-necking it into a snarled jam. For most Africans, getting online is just not worth all the trouble.

All hope was almost lost, when Mobile devices caught on like a wild-fire. These devices will enable new growth markets to leap-frog obstacles developed countries have had to overcome. While multi-media has always perceived to be the future, the real power lies in Text Messaging… 160 characters that will change everything and have major ramifications on public policy.

Here are just a few things for you to think about:

• Disaster & Crisis Alerts (Ushahidi)
• Health camps/vaccination Alerts
• E-Learning in Rural Areas
• E-Transactions (M-Pesa)
• Public Service Complaints about Service
• Employment Alerts
• Communication between health workers to help diagnose and prescribe
• … the list goes on

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The WiMAX Forum, formed in 2001 is an initiative to promote wireless broadband interoperability. The wireless standard in question is a little different from the one you’re probably used to (802.11) which is used for regular Wi-Fi. WiMAX improves upon Wi-Fi’s two most glaring weaknesses – Range & Security.

WiMAX is one of the keys to bringing Africa back into the fold. The biggest barrier to broadband access in developing countries has always been that ‘last kilometre’ – from the telecom’s switching facility to the customers house. The cost of making it work is currently extremely inhibitive, and this is where WiMAX comes in. Ease of installation and deployment costs actually reduce the barriers to entry for smaller players… other than the telecom monopolies. WiMAX base stations are giving good coverage for up to 15KM distances or more which is phenomenal.

Currently, according to Intel’s former CEO and current chairman, WiMAX is undergoing 100 trials worldwide in preparing for its commercialisation.

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