ICT sustainability cases show that ICTs can enhance development

Prepared by Gamos for DFID, the research shows that ICTs can enhance development projects. The research has not conclusively proven that an ICT activity directed at increasing income for the poor can, on its own, generate cost recovery inclusive of set-up and replacement costs, i.e. achieve economic sustainability.

However, the studies do indicate that this is beginning to happen, and that the prospects for the future are encouraging. More importantly the case studies clearly show elements of institutional and social sustainability. They also show significant developmental impact, and there are indications that ICT activities can be regarded as cost effective. The cases highlighted factors that were a hindrance to the success of the ICT activity and factors that contributed to the successful implementation.

Factors that hindered the ICT activity include:

- Not enough or poor quality equipment
- Poor ICT infrastructure (restricting efficacy)
- Language
- Illiteracy
- Self esteem of users
- Social power conflicts in Users
- Organisational Capacity of target group
- Donor reluctance (funding ICT activities)
- Security and theft
- Loss of technical personnel
- Lack of technical personnel
- Low purchasing power of users

Factors that contributed to the success of the ICT activity include:

- The use of “off the shelf” technology
- Locally tailored Software or content development
- Appropriate content
- Commercial models
- Entry process to target group
- Enthusiasm from the user communities
- Support from local authorities
- “Champion” leadership
- Intermediation by ICT familiar person
- Close connections to the community
- Clear objectives
- Attachment to and support of existing development activities
- Good Timing
- Networking several organisations

This is a summary, written by IICD’s national knowledge sharing network ICT4DJamaica, of the overview and analysis being part of a research programme into ICT sustainability factors.