Challenges and Opportunities of Developing Countries for Implementation of Emerging ICT Technologies

Abstract

The advances in information and computer technologies (ICT) and its implementation across all sectors of society worldwide is unstoppable and is key to every country’s economic competitiveness, standard of living and ease of doing business. However, most developing countries are agrarian, with the majority of the populations in rural and semi-urban settlements. These communities struggle with high unemployment, income inequality and poor public infrastructure such as transportation, road networks and low level of industrialisation. Most of their industrial activity is primary industries such as farming and mineral extraction. The few industries in operation have outdated equipment with low levels of automation and use of ICT. The use of ICT technology is main found in financial services such as banking and some government services although the use of such technologies is widely applied in telecommunications. There are a number of challenges in the implementation of ICT in terms of scope and reach in many demographic communities. These challenges and opportunities that may exist going forward are discussed in this paper. Strategies to improve sustainable accessibility and resources required and the enabling factors to implementing ICT in manufacturing, commerce and public service delivery in developing countries particularly in Africa are proposed in this paper.

https://doi.org/10.59200/ICONIC.2024.002