IICD supported project: Community telecentres in urban areas

Countries: Mali [ML]
Sectors: livelihoods

Summary

Mali has launched an ambitious programme to set up 701 télécentres over next years as to support the newly created local governments (701 municipalities) and to promote development. This project is a part of the 701-telecenter programme (see project ID: Strategy to set-up 701 municipal télécentres to make decentralisation effective).). The strategy emphasises that the local community takes the initiative to establish a télécentres and to define its basic functionality's. Possible uses include: E-mail and voice messaging, Secretarial services (writing letters, filling in forms etc.) Information exchange between councillors and the public, Support services to councillors and the administration Other uses were indicated by the ICT Roundtable workshop held in July 2000 in Bamako. This Roundtable was organised by the by three ministries involved - home affairs including local government, the ministry of communication and the ministry of culture. It brought together 60 participants representing local governments, ISPs, community representatives, NGOs and key ministries such as health and education. The results of the Roundtable included the formulation of a télécentres concept and identification of key strategy components for the 701-telecenter programme to the satisfaction of all persons involved.

Update

Updated: 2008-06-16

(June 2001) <br />
Quite a few telecentres exist already in Bamako, as private
enterprises. As a result, a few project owners from Bamako were invited
to a workshop in May and are expected to send in requests for capacity
development for their businesses. They will build networks with the
regional ones and help each other in terms of business.<br />

Objectives

The objective of the project is:

To establish and operate 1 urban télécentre and to develop adequate and sustainable management formulae and practices, technical configurations and pricing policies.

The project will be located in one commune in Bamako. Close monitoring and evaluation will be done to assess the impact and to adapt operations.

Development Impacts

The project fulfils an urgent need as communication and the exchange of information is very limited or non-existing between the major actors in the Governance and development process. Possible links are indicated below:
Public and Private sector, Councillors, Administration, Special target groups, Non Governmental Organisations Regional and Central Government

Besides access to information the project will provide training to the manager, councillors and the public.

Market and finance

The telecentre will operate as a small enterprise. Basic configuration and expected cash flow are not yet defined. Most of the telecentres are expected to be profitable and self-sustaining.

Project Owner : Municipal Council

Project Partners : SNV

Project Contact : IICD