Telecommunications reform in Southern Africa: the role of the Southern African Development Community

Abstract

This article examines telecommunications reform and related infrastructure and service developments in Southern African states. In focusing on this region, the article analyses the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the different associations and commissions it has created to develop the telecommunications sector and facilitate reform, which is essential to promote network efficiencies and extend the infrastructure to rural areas. As a regional organisation, SADC is poised to promote restructuring of the telecommunications sector in its 14 member states, as it seeks to achieve complementary national and regional programs and promote sustainable development and economic growth through regional integration.

A Disconnect in Stakeholders' Perceptions from Emerging Realities of Teledensity Growth in Africa's Least Developed Countries

“…The non-governmental stakeholders include telecommunication operators (non-government controlled), academia, research centers and IT experts, and international/regional organizations. Both the governmental and non-governmental stakeholders have typically played a major role in the implementation of IT at national levels in most developing countries (Montealegre, 1999).…”

“…While there has been a growing interest in researching ICTs and teledensity in Sub-Saharan Africa, most of the published research has concentrated on the economics and regulation of telecommunications (Alleman et al, 1994;Kenny, 2000;Wallsten, 2001;Mureithi, 2003;Makhaya and Robberts, 2003;McCormick, 2003;Cogburn, 2003;Wilson and Wong, 2003;Kibati and Kraijit, 1999). Few studies have studied ICTs in Sub-Saharan areas from the context of management information systems (Adam and Wood, 1999;Adam, 1996;Mbarika et al, 2002;Darley, 2001;Kenny, 2000;Nidumolu, 1996;de Vreede et al, 1998).…”

Lesotho telecommunications sector reform: an assessment of regulatory governance and substance

“…Many countries in the Southern African region, Lesotho included, commenced major reforms in the 1990s of transforming the telecommunications sector by initiating privatisation of state-owned infrastructure enterprises (Jayakar and Martin, 2012). The main purpose was to introduce market liberalisation in the telecommunications sector, pave the way for establishment of an independent regulator and attract private sector investment as advocated by the World Bank (Wallsten, 2001;Stovring, 2004) and facilitated by the Southern African Development Community (McCormick, 2003). This move would help address the huge gaps in telecommunications and information technology infrastructure that still exist in many developing African states compared to the rest of the world owing to low levels of income (Henten, 2004).…”

“…With the ICT sector having been identified by Target 8.F in the Millennium Development Goals as a critical sector that can stimulate economic development and address the digital divide (UN, 2000), the GoL has undertaken far-reaching telecommunications reforms towards the target over the last two decades. In addition, as a SADC member state, Lesotho has been poised to promote reform of telecommunications sector for sustainable development and economic growth through the SADC facilitation (McCormick, 2003). Particularly after the return to democratic rule in 1993, telecommunications reform processes have been prominent on the agendas of the GoL.…”

A Telecommunications Development Framework for Telecommunications Operators in the Sadc

“…The general objectives of SADC telecommunications policies are to provide affordable, efficient and high quality telecommunications services "for all", to create partnerships and an environment for sustainable ICT development (McCormick [2]). According to the SATCC (Southern African Transport and Telecommunications Commission) a teledensity of 25 -30 lines per 100 persons is required to support the socio-economic activities of a nation that has transformed into a new economy.…”