Abstract

The introduction of community access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) is seen by authorities in Mozambique as a valid approach to accelerating rural development and reducing imbalances between city and countryside. This project will assess the telecentre approach in two small communities - Namaacha and Manhica - located about one hour from Maputo.

The project will involve preparing the premises, buying and installing equipment, and managing the telecentres over a four-year period. Telecentre staff will be locally recruited, trained and supervised by a committee created for the purpose. During the project, the question of future ownership of the telecentres will be studied.

The telecentres will offer various services, including e-mail, Internet access, printing, photocopying and public telephone, with emphasis on their educational role. Efforts will be made to reach all strata of society, including the most disadvantaged groups. An important component of the project is research and evaluation, through which it is hoped to produce systematic and objective information that can be applied when establishing telecentres on a large scale in Mozambique, and which may be helpful to other countries.

Recipient Institution(s)