The use of ICT as a tool for economic growth and poverty reduction is a multi-dimension challenge, including socio-economic, political, institutional and technical aspects. Its contribution to economic competitiveness and growth is one of its most expected and obvious outcomes.
ICT is attracting considerable share of investments, producing jobs, and increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is also an important source of tax revenue. The increased economic role of ICT in
ICT stands to shape a very broad range of human activities, ranging from social relations within the family, to civil society, government service, catastrophe readiness, functioning of markets, and to innovation, efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and business.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the ICT sector itself may have considerable impact on economic performance, as it is characterised by very high rates of technological progress, output and productivity growth.
The impact of the sector can be examined directly, through its contributions to output, employment or development, among others. For example, as a source of technological change affecting other parts of the economy. ICT associated innovation has been one of the central factors shaping industrial organisation across economies globally and carries heavy implications for job creation.
Innovation in new ICT technologies also boosts creative destruction, the competitive process that gives birth to new firms and industries and signals the demise of incumbent ones. ICT has profound impact at individual, community and social levels.
While impact on consumption patterns and decisions is most evident, ICT shapes deeply all types of social and economic behaviours, such as learning, level of entrepreneurial spirit, social and economic relations, etc.
Moreover, national and continental adoption of ICT facilitates trade and regional integration.
Well structured ICT is the backbone that will enable organisations to deliver services effectively and efficiently, helping people reach more people and ultimately do more thing.
With ICT you can among other things raise organisation’s profile, keep abreast of current developments and legislations, manage and organise information more easily, and accurately monitor one’s finances. It also saves costs and allow staff to work remotely and flexibly.
Despite its numerous benefits, no doubth ICT also has its side effects, especially when abused by it users. Criminals also use the internet to perpetuate crime, while young children are also exposed to very bad sites that are purposely meant for adults.
With these and other side effects one can conclude that ICT is not only useful, but create a big challenge for the 21st Century.
We urge the internet café operators to also help in their own ways by stopping children under the age of 18 from browsing indencent sites.
Children should concentrate on their education instead of watching unhealthy sites.
