The matrix presents the latest information on how bilateral and multilateral donors have mainstreamed ICT in their development assistance programmes in order to more effectively and efficiently achieve development goals, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It shows that there is no “one size fits all” solution. ‘Donors have opted for a variety of organisational set-ups based on their own institutional arrangements, as well as policy/strategy focused on their own priorities. In order not to continually reinvent the wheel, it is important to share good practices and lessons learned with other donors, particularly newcomers in the field of ICT for development.’

This updated version of the OECD-DAC Donor ICT Strategies Matrix builds on two previous ones: the first was conducted jointly by the OECD-DCD and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in February 2001, the second was carried out by the OECD-DCD in February 2003. This version has been prepared as a contribution to the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and in addition to being updated also includes a large number of strategy papers and other related documents.

‘The survey findings reaffirm the trends identified [previously]:

• The vast majority of donors recognise the potential of ICT as a catalyst for socio-economic development but not all of them have reached the same stage in using ICT to help meet development objectives. While some are planning to develop new ICT strategies, others have already used ICT for years and have drawn lessons from their past experience.
• In all cases, donors put ICT to the service of the achievement of their broader strategic objectives in a number of development sectors (health, education, e-Commerce, e-Government, etc.). The focus is on meeting objectives not on technology per se.
• Achieving the MDGs, particularly poverty reduction, is a frequently cited objective underpinning most donor ICT strategies. These strategies aim at creating an inclusive information society with special attention paid to underserved regions including least developed countries (LDCs) and vulnerable populations.
• Most donors have built their ICT for development strategy on partnerships involving a number of actors from other bilateral and multilateral agencies, ministries (communication, education…), civil society, the private sector, universities and research institutions in both developed and developing countries.
• Lessons learned include:
  • Sustainable ICT projects need to be locally owned and accompanied by human capacity development.
  
  
  • Capacity in effectively using ICT for development is often the main constraint, not equipment.
  
  
  • The private sector is instrumental in expanding ICT for development access and applications.
  
  
  • Governments play a key role in establishing a well-regulated, competitive enabling environment for ICT to flourish.
  
  
  • For ICT to have a positive development impact, the various social groups must have equal access to them, particularly disadvantaged groups such as the poor, children, and indigenous people.
  
  
  • Many important aspects of information and communication infrastructure are cross-border in nature, and therefore require international/regional co-operation’.

Resources:

This summary excerpted with kind permission from OECD.

• A CD-ROM containing the Donor Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategies Matrix and other related documents will be distributed during the WSIS and Summit events.


• This CD-ROM will also be available free of charge through the OECD website at http://www.oecd.org/dac/ict


• OECD http://www.oecd.org
• Alternatively, download this document from the ICT Development Digital Library at OECD: Donor ICT Strategies Matrix