Draft ICT Policy

In the sector of Information and Communication Technology a national ICT policy has been approved as a framework for the development of the sector.  Ethiopia's ICT policy aims at creating an ICT- driven country, and a knowledge based society. It aims at promoting and facilitating the use of ICT in all sectors of the economy for nurturing democratic values, good governance, transparency and accountability.

VISION, MISSION, GOAL & OBJECTIVES of THE POLICY

The ICT Vision
To improve the social and economic well being of the peoples of Ethiopia through the exploitation of the opportunities created by ICT for achieving rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, and for sustaining a robust democratic system and good governance.  
 
Mission
To develop Ethiopia into a socially progressive and prosperous nation with a globally competitive, modern, dynamic and robust economy through the development, deployment and exploitation of ICT within the economy and the society at large.

Goal of the Policy
Taking into consideration the vision and mission stated above, the goal of the ICT policy is to vigorously promote an ICT-driven socio-economic development process and transform Ethiopia from an agriculture-based economy and society to a predominantly knowledge- and information-based economy and society with deep-rooted democratic culture and good governance.

Broad Objectives of the Policy

The broad objectives of the ICT policy are to:

• Develop ICT as a globally competitive industry, and as an engine of growth.
• Create the necessary conditions for the rapid development of ICT within the economy and society to accelerate Ethiopia’s socio-economic development process.
• Promote and facilitate an extensive use of ICT in support of key sectors of the economy including agriculture, industry and the services sectors.
• Transform Ethiopia into a knowledge- and information-based society and economy.
• Promote the use of ICT for modernizing the civil and public service to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness for service delivery, to promote good governance and reduce wastage of scarce resources.

Strategies
In order to achieve the goals and objectives of the ICT policy enunciated above, the Government will steadfastly pursue the following broad strategies.

• Design service network systems that allow citizens and private companies to communicate with public authorities.
• Set up organizational structures for ICT within federal and regional governments to coordinate implementation of the national ICT policy.
• Adopt methods and procedures to ensure that systems of information in government institutions are developed, coordinated and efficiently utilized.
• Develop guidelines, procedures and organizational structures to ensure the integration of ICT in strategic public sector development programs.
• Promote the development of a competitive ICT sector comprising hardware and software production, and services.
• Promote and facilitate the participation of civil societies and communities in ICT development.
• Develop effective and productive use of the national radio frequency spectrum resources.
• Design and implement computerized information systems and applications with emphasis on priority sectors such as agriculture, health, education, etc.
• Support the development of ICT systems and programs that enhance the participation of women and the disabled.
• Establish an accreditation council which provides technical backing to ensure the quality of ICT education and training.
• Automate all public service delivery systems on network platform to maintain and deliver basic information.
• Establish public information gateways or portals to harness, develop and integrate public information resources.
• Strengthen institutional capacity in government, educational institutions and in the private sector to deliver ICT services (e.g. education and training, hardware and software development, applications, etc.).
• Maintain collaborative relationships with professional associations in ICT.
• Promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation with organizations involved in the development and promotion of ICT.