Rural Internet Kiosks -‐ Overview - Africa Rural Connect

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW Information and communications technologies are changing the ways in which we are educated about the world. Sub Saharan Africa has long experienced challenges in delivering educational products and materials to the people. This lack of access to information resources is seen in the majority of educational institutions, and most is profoundly illustrated in the rural communities. The digital divide, which we define as, a lack of access to information within a specific population, is systematically hampering individual and collective development in Africa. This is symbolized by the significant gap between developed and developing countries opportunity to obtain and utilize information. The digital divide runs much deeper than hardware and software. The real heart of the digital divide is that those without access to information resources will lack the ability to be competitive in today’s globalized world. If sufficient economic resources in Africa are strategically invested in developing ICT capacities within educational facilities, the next generation of African children will be better equipped to compete for prosperity worldwide. Diffusion of ICTs in Africa can empower rural youths with the resources necessary to generate income and manage small businesses. Unemployed youths can gain employment as community knowledge workers in the capacity of Rural Internet Kiosk (RIK) operators thereby serving as an asset to the development of the community at large. The Rural Internet Kiosk (RIK) is an independent self contained 100% solar powered kiosk featuring three industrial design computer terminals, a manned administrator terminal, and broadband wireless Internet connectivity. RIK has been designed to help bridge the digital divide in Africa and concentrates on connecting individuals in rural areas where a large percentage of the population has no access to existing ICT infrastructure. Africa has been plagued by the same obstacles in rural areas as can be found throughout Sub-­‐Saharan Africa. Material poverty, poor health, low levels of sanitation, low levels of education, lack of access to government services, and lack of access to finance are among the core issues found in rural communities. These challenges can all be addressed through the provision of information and communications technologies. The Rural Internet Kiosks provide the following development solutions: E-­‐agriculture; E-­commerce; E-­‐health; E-­‐government; E-­‐banking; E-­‐learning; Relief services; Local content creation; Skills training; Employment opportunities; Independent local media; and Knowledge diffusion from the North to the South and from the South to the North.