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There are certain elements to keep in mind when setting up projects
of Citizen empowerment through ICT in Africa.
The first thing and most important: it should not be forgotten that
the new media and Internet in particular, remain within range of
only a few. The cost of Internet access remains unaffordable in
most African countries, as well as computers and smartphones.
Internet Without Borders is part of the Alliance For Affordable Internet
(A4AI), a coalition organization that wants to help lower the
cost of Internet access in developing countries. It is therefore important
not to neglect this aspect, at the risk of producing elitist
projects that touch and include a small portion of the population,
not representative.
Moreover, Internet deploys its maximal effects in a free environment;
innovation abhors barriers, censorship, and surveillance. But
unfortunately, we have seen recently that the cyberspace is not
saved from these threats, especially on the African continent.
In addition, as an NGO we need to learn humility, and admit that
we need to rely on the expertise of the people we work with, because
ultimately they are more familiar with what is happening
locally. It should always be collaboration, between actors of equal
importance.
Last but not least: in all things patience is essential, but it is even
more in the field of Citizen empowerment. Paradoxically, when it
comes to ICT, and Internet in particular, information flows at the
speed of light. But it is not a reason to expect magical results in a
record time. Change requires time.
To conclude, Internet is and will remain a powerful tool of citizen
engagement and empowerment, as long as it remains a place of
freedom, accessible and affordable for all.