Macha Works Zambia

Access to information and, more importantly, the internet is not evenly distributed in this world. To support LinkNet's role out in rural areas in Zambi, and to improve effectiveness of ICT in rural environments, this collaborative work provides knowledge on the adoption and use of ICT and services in two rural areas in Zambia. From interviews information is derived on how people use the internet and the benefits they experience. Also expectations and needs of the communities are discussed.

The study shows that people and communities in rural Zambia do benefit from ICT both socially and economically. Basically, they use the internet for the same purposes as people in Western countries, such as to communicate, to search for information and to buy things. However, internet is even more important in rural areas because of lack of alternatives, such as telephone lines, libraries, newspapers, roads in good condition, and public transport.

This paper is not about technical aspects of introducing the internet in rural areas. It is about real cases of real people and how internet changed their lives in their rural areas. Internet empowers rural communities and helps communities towards a more sustainable future with better education, easier communication and new economic activities.

Also published on TNO's website at http://www.tno.nl/groep.cfm?&context=markten&content=publicatie&laag1=182&laag2=1&item_id=222&Taal=2