Congo (Université Marien Ngouabi) Digitization: a strong signal for the development

Antonin Bossoto, research professor expert in ICT at the Marien Ngouabi University, believes that the ability to access public information through the use of an internet connection must be in the same way as energy and health a priority in development policy and the emergence of the Republic of Congo

On the eve of the 2015 will take place where the transition from analog to digital in the audiovisual sector promoting digital broadcasting essentially, treatment standards of digital terrestrial television (DTT) is required . Antonin Bossoto sharing with us his thoughts.

The analyst specifies how ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) have had a major role in the development of emerging countries. But it is clear that the integration of digital faces many obstacles in our country process. Except related to the digital divide variables (level of equipment, types of use, ICT learning policies and performance resulting from the use of ICTs), consideration and knowledge of the benefits of ICT still underestimated or ignored by our policy makers.

According Antonin Bossoto, rapid technological progress in developing countries have helped increase revenue and reduce the level of absolute poverty from 29% in 1990 to 18% in 2004 “The World Bank argues that about 10% growth mobile penetration leads to a 1.2% growth of sub-Saharan Africa. Recall that the great success of Africa technologically manifested by the explosion of mobile telephony, “says the analyst.
Antonin Bossoto, Africa currently has 540 million users. It is one of the most dynamic markets in the world mobile phone with in 2013 nearly 735 million SIM cards in service. The United States, like Europe and Asia, are late on Africa for many innovations in mobile phone, especially in the mobile payment system. He added that according to a 2011 study from the GSMA, the association of mobile operators using GSM, 80% of mobile transactions originate from the countries of East Africa. The same association was published in 2012 another study evaluating to € 2.8 billion the total amount of transfers nothing in Kenya with M-Pesa.

Antonin Bossoto notes that the level of education, ICTs serve as learning media. That is to say, they offer technology consultation opportunities, production, management of student learning or students and diversification of educational approaches. The purpose of this process is the improvement of student performance based on the integration of new educational resources for the development of innovative practices affecting how to learn and teach. Many other industries are taking real advantage of the diffusion of ICT on the continent, following the example of computer networks that offer increased productivity and competitiveness through changes in the system of business management.

He urges the networking of the various links of the Administration, which appears as a tool to overcome the structural difficulties and formal Congolese Administration. ICT enables to perform more efficiently processing large amounts of files as well as specific government tasks. The use of internet applications can result in savings for the collection and transmission of data and information provision and communication with customers.

E-government, he believes, would therefore reduce public spending through the implementation of effective programs to improve the productivity of public and private, through the simplification of administrative procedures undertaken by building trust between governments and citizens. Indeed, modern exchanges are based on the parameters of “rapid response”, “real time” and “time-based competition,” etc. African countries (mainly South Africa and the Maghreb countries) who are able to meet these requirements due to the existence of good ICT infrastructure have become more competitive in global trade.

The real managerial challenge for our businesses, he suggests, then, is to go beyond this double virtuous circle (contribution to growth and development) and be able to create value through innovation and building new business models. As a multi-purpose technologies, ICT replace some faulty utilities. This is the case of transport infrastructure. Mobile phones can achieve significant savings in travel costs. Given the state of the roads and the large land area, number of Congolese areas remain underserved by transportation and distribution networks. Also through ICT, farmers may one side to keep abreast of the market price in town without having to move, and the other offer and sell their products online to foreign producers.

Concluding its analysis, Antony Bossoto invites politicians and policy makers to promote by all means the use of digital as a pillar of development. A republican pact, which is obligatory in according to him, to couple the Congolese political development in the integration of ICT in growth sectors (economy, education, health, scientific research). Finally, it advocates encouraging the production of content and value-added services to a party to the information society.

William Ondzé