Weekly news roundup - Africa April 13

Created By: Esther on 13-Apr-2007 12:00 AM

Gender and ICT: A new publication by UNDP-APDIP
This publication looks at information and communications technology (ICT) for development through a gender lens and discusses ICT within a gender equality framework. Recognizing the importance of integrating a gender perspective as a cross-cutting area in ICT and development, this e-Primer provides a gender perspective on issues of ICT policies, access and control, education, training and skill development, and content development.

Perspectives on Wireless Technology in Africa
The Winter 2006 issue of Information Technology and International Development (ITID) journal features macro and micro perpectives on wireless technologies in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. The articles in the journal provide a critical assessment of the high hopes associated with the use of wireless technologies in developing nations.


SA start-up drops call costs with mobile VoIP
Aiming at becoming the Skype of the mobile VoIP arena, Yeigo is a mobile Voice over IP (VoIP) software solution built and offered by three Cape Town graduates.
The software can be freely downloaded onto many higher end cellphones. After registering, Yeigo account holders can make worldwide VoIP calls free of charge to anyone with a Yeigo account. All that is paid for is the necessary internet connection costs.

Crisis in Darfur
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Google have produced an online site on the Crisis in Darfur. The site enables Google Earth users to visualize and better understand the genocide currently unfolding in Darfur, Sudan.

World Bank approves $164m ICT funding
The World Bank has approved an International Development Association financing package of $164m for Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar as the firsttranche of the $424m for the Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Programms (RCIP). The programme aims to improve access tointernational connectivity by focusing on closing the terrestrialconnectivity gap. A statement said the region lags behind for lack of direct terrestrial access to global ICT infrastructure and network.

521 people have read this article