Information and communication technologies (ICT) have been in use for over three decades in different settings inAfrica, but the impact of ICT on users in the region is not well documented. This paper attempts to examine the impact of ICT in sub-Saharan Africa, based on a study using a grounded theory approach. It was aimed at understanding users within their ICT applications context. Four main aspects of the impact of ICT were identified: 'Actual impact', 'Potential impact', 'Constraints' and 'Actions centred around users and their reactions'. The research indicates that an understanding of ICT users' iterative and adaptive behaviour and their day-to-day pains in coping with problems of ICT in the local context is necessary for impact assessment.The constructionist behaviour in which individuals, organisations, professionals and groups map their world and situation, and the complex action and interaction between them, imposes the structure of ICT use. This paper discusses the impact of ICT in the context of its use and the concrete circumstances of the individuals involved and the tasks undertaken, together with historical and environmental perspectives. 50 1 2

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Internet connectivity has brought a new challenge to Africa.There is a growing concern whether use of new information technologies can help African countries to realise development potential or whether that simply speeds up marginalisation. Africa will remain the least connected region for the next few years, due to complex socioeconomic, political and infrastructural difficulties. Local strategic information development and content generation using world Wide Web tools can speed up connectivity and economic development. Strategic vision and adequate knowledge of basic tools and understanding of the steps involved are necessary to develop the African information content that makes communities, institutions and countries competitive. This paper presents an overview of strategies and steps involved in using Internet tools that improve information content in Africa.

African higher education institutions are at a stage where they are striving to im- prove their information and communication technologies (ICTs) infrastructure, con- tent, and skills; making resources available to meet the growing needs of students and faculty; and responding to the pressure for effectiveness. They are also con- fronted with a dilemma of turning ongoing ICTs initiatives into opportunities and understanding what ICTs mean to the transformation of higher education in general and to research, teaching, and learning in particular. This paper examines the in- creasing role of ICTs in African higher education, ongoing initiatives, progresses made, and the dilemmas and challenges.

Internet content has been growing dramatically during the recent years. African connectivity has also shown progress during the last decade. Almost all countries in Africa are on now on the Internet. However, this has not been matched with use of web content to advance knowledge to solve local problems in the region. Indigenous knowledge and content from Africa did not yet reach millions of users on the ‘net’. This paper analyzes the web content for Africa, issues and opportunities to make give Internet an African voice.