ICT Challenges in Developing Countries: Botswana’s Perspective

Despite the availability of information and communication technologies (ICT’s) infrastructure in central government in Botswana, there is evidence of lack of exploitation of the technology. There are several factors that hinder exploitation of information technology in Botswana. Botswana is classified as an upper medium income country because of the country’s high GDP. However, such wealth is derived from diamond mining which has few manufacturing activities. A new social divide is emerging between those who have access and those without access to ICT’s. This is a new social discourse that has a negative effect on the groups which are already disadvantaged, such as rural communities and the unemployed. With the massive investments that Botswana government has made towards ICT, it should now be getting some rewards. Lack of ICT infrastructure is often cited as a problem limiting ICT use in developing countries. Botswana’s situation shows that infrastructure does not necessarily leads to high levels of use. KeywordsICT, Information technology, Exploitation, Botswana, Digital divide, Development, Developing countries, Sub-